Job Title: Residential Support Worker
Reports To: Home Manager/Shift Leader
Purpose of the Job
Join a team offering comprehensive residential services for young people aged between 5 and 18 years. You will help ensure the physical, social and emotional care and development of the young people at the establishment.
About Us
This Children and Family Services has a strong commitment to achieving equality of opportunity in both the services we provide to young people and the employment of our people. We expect all employees to understand and promote our policies in their work. We strive to provide services that are user-friendly and sensitive to the individual needs of our residents, local authorities and all sections of the community, working to our ethos of service, quality, equality and partnership. We want to be the difference that makes a difference in young people's and staff's lives, and we are committed to ensuring you are supported, developed and trained to succeed.
Key Duties
- Join a team of residential care staff, ensuring safe and appropriate care practices are maintained at all times
- Support the staff team in all aspects of the establishment's operation
- Maintain positive childcare practice in keeping with the aims and objectives of the establishment
- Provide a safe, warm and supportive environment for young people
- Maintain a regular system of recording for each young person and be involved in implementing care plans
- Assist in the provision of reports and attend review and planning meetings when required
- Promote and maintain high standards of cleanliness and participate in general activities, using personal skills to maximise opportunities for residents
- Make outside contacts individually and through activities, and undertake delegated household duties
- Attend supervision sessions, staff meetings and training as required
- Accept responsibility for monies required in carrying out duties, and undertake sleeping-in duties as required
- Comply with establishment policies and procedures and respond to emergencies
- Cover staff shortfalls or operational deficiencies and act as a positive role model for colleagues and young people
- Deal with telephone enquiries and administrative duties (logbooks, daily information sheets, accident book, incident forms, population returns, etc.)
- Maintain case file records including assessment plans, decisions, visits and evaluation of care plan actions
Key Responsibilities
- Foster and encourage contact between young people and their families wherever appropriate
- Maintain good liaison and cooperation with external agencies such as field social workers, consultant staff and others involved in residents' welfare
- Develop a responsible attitude in young people toward the fabric, furnishings, equipment, supplies and services of the establishment
- Support young people with domestic aspects of their personal space and communal areas
- Demonstrate sensitivity and appropriate assertiveness while working in a pressured environment with diverse young people and staff
- Carry out duties in a mature and responsible manner, seeking support as necessary
- Physically intervene if a young person's behaviour is dangerous to themselves or others, in line with procedural guidance and relevant legislation
- Participate in constructing and implementing individual care plans
- Attend reviews, case conferences and planning meetings as required
- Act as a key/special worker for young people, providing regular key work sessions
Person Specification
Experience
- Understanding of residential childcare, and experience of social or community work or working in a children's residential care environment (desirable)
Knowledge
- Good written and verbal communication skills (essential)
- Able to exhibit sensitivity and assertiveness (essential)
- Producing and monitoring care plans, knowledge of key working systems, childcare theory, conflict resolution and the Children Act 1989 (desirable)
- Knowledge and understanding of the needs of adolescents, equal opportunities and health and safety in a childcare setting (desirable)
Skills
- Ability to maintain written records, write reports and keep cash records (essential)
- Ability to relate to young people in a tactful way, practical care skills, and ability to physically intervene if a young person's behaviour is dangerous (essential)
- Self-motivation and ability to motivate and engage young people in group activities (essential)
- Ability to organise tasks independently and efficiently (desirable)
Circumstances
- Flexible approach to working hours, ability to undertake sleeping-in duties, and ability to work shifts including weekends and bank holidays (essential)
- Enthusiastic, well-motivated and willing to undertake training (essential)
- Car driver and ability to accompany young people on holidays with the unit (desirable)
Qualifications
- Basic education in English, Maths and ICT (essential)
- GNVQ / BTEC / NVQ in Health and Social Care (desirable)
Pay: From £14.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
