Job Title: Residential Support Worker Essex 16 – 24 Year Olds
Location:
Harlow / Basildon Essex These will be the leading houses. However, your duties may include visits to young people in other locations as the Operations Manager and director specified.
Responsible to: Operations Manager / Company Directors
Responsible for: Young People Keywork / co-worker responsibilities
Role:
The role is that of a practitioner with sufficient experience to lead and organize a shift and ensure quality-of-service delivery to young people while remembering that the child's needs are paramount. Full-time position.
PURPOSE:
· Accommodation & Support works closely with other agencies that look after children and care leavers and is engaged with strategic planning and service development for care leavers in all London boroughs and County Councils.
· The Service is responsible for case management of looking after eligible children under the Leaving Care Act 2000 and for young people who leave care and become relevant children or formerly relevant children under the Act.
· We aim to provide a child-centred service that is flexible in engaging with young people. We run group activities that may take place in the evenings and occasionally at weekends. The post holder should be prepared to work outside of the 9 to 5 pattern to meet the demands of the Service. To deliver a Leaving Care service to young people, following the requirements:
· the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000,
· the Children Act 1989, the Children Act 2004, and other relevant legislation;
- The company sets out its policies and procedures.
· We aim to provide Accommodation support and advice to young people utilizing staff knowledge and expertise. Address young people's specific needs as identified in their pathway plans, working within a casework framework to work directly with young people and the Local Authority Young Persons Advisors / Social Workers individually by teaching life skills, employment, education group-work and activities.
· To assist the Operations Manager in achieving the Service and unit's aims within the Organization's policy and following statutory requirements.
· To assist the Operations Manager in providing the highest possible standards of care, guidance, support, and protection for young people and co-operate fully with colleagues to achieve these objectives.
· To support the Operational Manager in effectively managing a Residential Unit within the Child Care philosophy of Accommodation and Support.
· KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
· Staff Supervision
· Responsible for ensuring that identified volunteers or students are supervised so that an effective team is built to provide a high standard of childcare practice and services sensitive to the needs of young people from different racial, cultural, and religious backgrounds.
· Supervise and appraise specified volunteers or students as designated.
· Ensure staff development and training needs are identified and made known to the operations manager.
· Child Care Practice
· To assume shift leadership responsibility and accountability when registered and to work hours designated by The Operations Manager on a Rota basis.
· Care control of Young People following policies and procedures, and work within all practice guidelines in the staff induction folder and supervision notes.
· Keep the operations manager informed of all relevant information about the unit when operating shifts.
· Acting as keyworker designated Young People. Forming links with their families or substitute careers following the Service agreed keyworker system.
· Developing and maintaining agreed care plans for individual Young People in consultation with colleagues, senior staff, family and external agencies or individuals. Ensuring responsibility for ensuring agreed care plan actions are carried out.
· Developing agreed health education and care plans to aid the personal supervision of young people following their race, culture, language, and religion.
· Undertaking night duties on a Rota basis as specified in unit guidelines and for which the Service will recognize the nationally agreed pay rate. Acting following written statement of service requirements.
· Carrying out any practical tasks that may arise during good childcare practice, for example, preparing meals, doing laundry, and doing appropriate cleaning and gardening chores.
· Providing appropriate care and control for individuals and the group within the Care and Control policy guidelines and written unit instructions.
· Supervised the house unit and its immediate environs. Keeping them clean and tidy. Managing young people in tidying and cleaning up.
· Knowledge of all Young People's and staff's whereabouts when on duty.
· Ensuring through liaison and delegation the highest possible standard of care, individual personal hygiene and appearance of the Young People.
· To encourage creative leisure pursuits by the Service and supervision of Young People's leisure time activities, weekend activities and involvement in clubs and other outside interests, to enable poorly motivated young people to achieve. Ensure that the operations manager receives this information.
· Encourage and enable young people to participate in regular cultural and spiritual activities, whether in places of worship or the house and show awareness and sensitivity to the cultural considerations that may have been identified on admission.
· They prepare, cook, and clear up meals within the unit. Encourage the participation of the young people in these activities and supervise them whilst they do this.
· RECORDING AND ADMINISTRATION
· Ensuring that written procedures laid down by the Operations Manager are maintained and kept up to date.
· Ensuring that staff are aware of written fire procedures and that they can implement them as and when appropriate. Showing an awareness of all matters about Health and Safety.
· Ensuring that medical records, daily logs, diary recordings, and files are kept current.
· When delegated by the Operations Manager or Director to be responsible for the expenditure of finance with particular reference to specific costings.
· Be aware of all policy statements/guidelines, especially Safeguarding, Health and Safety and absence return policy and how to implement this effectively in times of crisis.
· Providing written reports for reviews, case conferences and other meetings as requested by The Operations Manager. Ensuring that relevant actions identified at such meetings are implemented as part of the Child Care Plan.
· Security of the house unit both day and night. All necessary precautions must be taken to effect efficient safety and prevent heat/light loss.
· Familiarizing themselves with regulations and written policy on driving and using the Project vehicle and acting following these.
· COMMUNICATION AND LIAISON
· We maintain effective communication and promote effective liaison with all other external agencies, parents, and careers.
· Attend staff meetings, community meetings, Reviews, case conferences and other meetings as required and ensure that prescribed action is shared appropriately.
· Informing the Operations Manager or person "on call" of any significant incident/accident within the Service, i.e., physical harm or injury to young person or staff, absconding, damage to property, involvement with emergency services, etc. Ensure reports of these incidents/accidents are written and placed in the appropriate files within 24 hours.
· Developing and maintaining good public relations, thus promoting and enhancing the company's image and reputation.
· PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
· Attending and contributing to a regular supervision session by arrangement with the Operational Manager or any other person designated by the Directors.
· Taking a full and active part in the Annual Appraisals as arranged by the Operations Manager and carrying out such actions as are specified in this document.
· Attending internal, external and online training as arranged or required.
· Taking personal responsibility for professional development by using all opportunities available through supervision and training and taking advantage of professional journals and other material available online and in the Service.
· Working and understanding Values and Equal Opportunities Policies.
· OTHER
· Effecting such minor repairs and maintenance to the unit as they judge to be within their competence. To inform the Operations Manager or Director of more severe faults.
· They are dressing appropriately at all times when on duty and ensuring this of other staff young people whilst on shift.
· Support young people in moving homes and rehabilitation back into the community.
· Any other reasonable duty required by the Operations Manager will likely include specific responsibility for delegated tasks, e.g., purchasing equipment, Education, Food Furniture Oversite of houses, routine Health and safety inspections and reporting repairs.
· To work following the Code of Conduct and Policies and Procedures governing the smooth running of the home. This includes notifying the Operational Manager of any involvement with the Police, either directly or indirectly, that could cause disrepute with a placing Authority or is in breach of the Code of Conduct and or Contract of employment
Pay: £13.00-£15.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Referral programme
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Residential Childcare: 1 year (required)
- Support Environment: 1 year (required)
- Youth work: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
- NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
