Residential Support Worker

Job Purpose

To support the emotional, social, educational and physical needs of the children in our care, giving them every opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve positive outcomes, while ensuring the care provided meets the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Ofsted requirements.

Nature of Post

The post holder will be based at one of our therapeutic homes in the Northamptonshire area. The children in our care present a variety of difficulties requiring varying levels of support. Staff work shifts allocated by the Manager or delegated deputy, including weekends, evenings, sleep-ins and the children's annual holidays. A number of administrative hours are also spent attending meetings, supervision, annual appraisals, training and children's reviews.

Key Duties

• Work in a positive, respectful and empowering way with all children, providing a strong role model and maintaining high professional standards at all times, to promote good relationships, achievement and therapeutic care.
• Maintain appropriate routines, limits and boundaries, helping young people understand action and consequence and the value of positive relationships.
• Act as key worker to allocated children: implement their individual care plans, attend childcare reviews and contribute to the assessment and care planning process.
• Support the educational development and achievement of the young people, remaining informed on educational matters and developing the learning opportunities within the home.
• Contribute to daily programmes and individual and group plans, and take an active part in social, recreational and educational activities, including domestic tasks that build self-care skills.
• Liaise and collaborate positively with parents, social workers and partner agencies so the best interests of the young people are always respected and promoted.
• Maintain accurate, timely records to a high standard and adhere to all safeguarding policies, procedures and safe working practices.
• Keep up to date with practice, research, policy and legislative developments in childcare, participate in supervision, training and appraisal, and undertake other reasonable duties as identified by the line manager.

Person Specification — Essential

• Previous experience of working with children or young people in a residential setting.
• Experience of managing challenging behaviour and complex needs, including emotional and behavioural difficulties, and of supporting young people in crisis.
• Experience of working as part of a team to achieve positive outcomes for children.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding, the Children Act 1989 and 2004, and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
• Knowledge and understanding of multi-agency working and of equal opportunities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people, families, colleagues and external agencies, with strong oral, written and recording skills, including IT and report writing.
• Ability to work on your own initiative, self-motivate and take direction, and to conduct yourself professionally in statutory reviews and professional meetings.
• Ability to interpret and respond appropriately to a range of emotions and behaviours, with a high level of emotional awareness in yourself and others.
• Ability to adapt positively to changing situations, with flexibility over working patterns to meet the needs of the service.
• Commitment to safe caring and a culture of openness, viewing the needs of the young people as paramount, and a genuine passion for helping them reach their full potential.
• Willingness and ability to work towards a relevant qualification if not already held, and a full, current driving licence (the post holder is required to be a driver for this position).

Person Specification — Desirable

• Level 3 or 4 Diploma, NVQ or QCF in Residential Childcare or Health and Social Care (Children and Young People), or another relevant care-sector qualification.
• Sound knowledge of human growth and development and the effects of trauma, abuse and deprivation.
• Knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Ofsted SCCIF, the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, and of the health, education, social work and voluntary services available to children and young people.
• Experience of working with young people affected by CSE, mental health and anxiety difficulties, autism, Asperger's, ADHD, ADD or ODD, alongside skills in assessment, planning, recording and decision-making.

Additional Information

Heart and Home Living is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share that commitment. An Enhanced DBS check, evidence of your full work history since leaving full-time education, and three confirmed references covering the last five years of that history are required.

Employee Benefits

• £500 loyalty bonus after 12 months' service.
• Access to support services through Bright HR, including well-being services.
• Monthly restaurant and takeaway vouchers for every employee.
• £25 monthly company contribution towards health and well-being — gym membership, private medical or dental cover, spa and beauty treatments, or any other well-being activity.