Childrens Support Worker

Connect2Hampshire; England; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority service provider in the United Kingdom is seeking a Secure Children's Home Support Worker to provide care and support to young people in a secure setting. The ideal candidate will act as a trustworthy role model and engage in various daily activities while maintaining a safe environment. The role offers competitive benefits, including access to a pension scheme, annual leave, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Access to Local Government Pension Scheme

Annual leave entitlement between 24-27 days

Interest-free travel loans

Family-friendly policies

Golden Hello payment upon joining

Qualifications

• Experience in a residential or secure setting is advantageous, but not essential.
• Physical fitness to undertake the role and complete mandatory training.
• Passionate about supporting young people with traumatic backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Act as a 'therapeutic parent' and role model to the children.
• Build trusting relationships to help children feel safe and cared for.
• Use positive behaviour management strategies and provide basic care.

Skills

Experience working with children or young people

Ability to maintain positive relationships

Understanding of safeguarding

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare

Level 2 in Functional Skills in English and Maths

Job description

Secure Children's Home Support Worker

Location: Swanwick

Contract Type: Perm

Salary: £32,780-£35,564 including a market supplement of £5,000

About the Role

Connect2Hampshire are currently recruiting for a Secure Children's Home Support Worker to work in one of Hampshire County Council's Children's secure homes based in Swanwick, Southampton.

You will work as part of a diverse and supportive team of professional carers to provide a highly structured, stimulating and caring environment for young people who may display extreme behaviour and high levels of distress, and who may have great difficulty forming and maintaining relationships.

Your focus will be to act as a 'therapeutic parent' and role‑model to the young people by forming positive, trusting relationships that enable them to feel safe and cared for. This requires a great deal of patience, empathy and understanding, and the ability to be consistent, kind and respectful, even in the face of extremely challenging behaviour.

What is the day‑to‑day of the role

This is an opportunity for you to join a dedicated team as a Children's Support Worker in a secure unit. You will act as a 'therapeutic parent' and role model to the children in the home by building positive, trusting relationships and supporting them to feel safe and cared for. The role includes the use of positive behaviour management strategies and physical restraint when required. Day‑to‑day activities can include cooking, cleaning, engaging in messy play and leisure activities, and helping with the personal hygiene of a child.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Experience of working with children, young people or adults within a residential, secure or similar setting is advantageous but not essential.
• Training and ongoing professional development will be provided.
• Passionate about working with young people who have experienced a traumatic childhood.
• Able to respond to challenging behaviour while maintaining positive relationships and an environment that enables young people to maximise their potential.
• Physical fitness to undertake the role and complete mandatory training.
• Understanding of safeguarding.

Desirable Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Level 3 (or equivalent) Diploma in Residential Childcare (or willingness to complete within 2 years).
• Professional experience related to residential child care.
• Knowledge of child protection.
• Level 2 in Functional Skills, equivalent to a C‑grade (Grade 4) GCSE in both English and Maths.

Benefits

• Access to Local Government Pension Scheme (employer contributions starting at 16.1% of your salary).
• Between 24-27 days annual leave entitlement (dependent on Local Authority service).
• Interest‑free travel loans and discounts.
• Employee Support Services.
• Family‑friendly policies.
• A Golden Hello payment of £250 or £500 if you already hold a relevant Level 3 Diploma qualification and after 3 months satisfactory service in role.
• A one‑off payment of £500 upon completion of your Level 3 Diploma (if you do not already hold this).
• A retention payment of £3,000 upon achieving 3 years continuous service.

About Us

Connect2Hampshire is a managed service agency owned by Hampshire County Council providing temporary, contract and interim opportunities into the Council. Our service is built on our values of ethical, trustworthy, and caring, and our profits are returned to our Local Authority shareholders.

Call to Action

Upload your CV and apply online or email should you require more information on the above vacancy. Connect2Hampshire is an equal opportunities Employment Agency & Business. It positively encourages applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates.