Residential Childcare Support Worker - 20 Hours

Polaris Community; Guildford; On-site; GBP 13,000 - 15,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a compassionate team dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of young people in a nurturing environment. As a Residential Childcare Support Worker, you'll play a vital role in supporting teenage boys aged 13-18, helping them navigate their challenges and achieve their full potential. Your responsibilities will include creating engaging activities, fostering supportive relationships, and ensuring a safe atmosphere. This part-time position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the well-being of young individuals, all while working in a friendly and fulfilling environment. If you're passionate about making a difference, we want to hear from you!

Qualifications

• Experience with teenage boys or challenging behaviour is essential.
• Must hold a driving licence and have access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Provide a caring environment that meets individual developmental needs.
• Plan activities that stimulate learning and integration.
• Maintain positive relationships with parents and local authorities.

Skills

Experience with teenage boys

Driving licence

Residential Childcare Diploma

Flexibility in working hours

Teamwork

Effective communication

Ability to engage and listen

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Willingness to work towards required qualification

Job description

Location: Guildford, Surrey

Contract: Part-Time, permanent

Starting Salary: Base salary of £13,163.88 pro rata (£26,327.76 FTE) per annum with the potential to earn up to £14,843.88 with sleep in shifts

Salary after probation: Base salary of £13,743.60 pro rata (£27,487.20 FTE) per annum with the potential to earn up to £15,423.60 with sleep in shifts

Specific Hours: 20 hours per week - shift pattern

Apple Orchard has five homes in Surrey and West Sussex. Each home is set in a rural location and offers a comfortable homely environment for young males aged 13-18 years. We currently have openings for experienced Residential Childcare Support Workers, and would also love to hear from those who are passionate about making a positive and lasting difference to young people, and who are willing to undertake the relevant training and qualifications needed.

We aim to help young people to develop insight into their experiences in order that they can move on from their often damaged traumatic past. We support them as they take steps to make sense of their lives by providing clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals. This includes positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and free time.

Central to our work is the need to provide a high level of nurturing which ensures all the basic needs of the young person are met to the highest standard. This includes providing a home that has a warm and friendly atmosphere where great emphasis is placed on building supportive relationships and positive attachments.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To ensure that a caring and motivating environment is provided for the young people that takes into account individual developmental needs and enables young people to reach their full potential.
• To plan and prepare activities that meet the young people’s needs and stimulate their learning and integration within the home.
• Keep well-informed of legislation, guidelines, and policies to ensure the Children’s Act, Children’s homes regulations, and the national minimum standards are met at all times.
• To observe and assess young people’s progress and keep accurate records of their achievements, behaviour, and important events in their lives.
• To work with local authorities/placing authorities to ensure the care the young people receive is outstanding.
• To establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers in a way that supports young people’s learning and development.
• To be flexible within working practices of the home, including undertaking domestic tasks within the home, which will include preparation of meals, cleaning, shopping, etc.
• Work alongside the Manager and staff team to ensure that the philosophy behind the home is fulfilled.
• To keep clear and legible records regarding the young people.

Essential skills:

• Previous experience of working with teenage boys or challenging behaviour and a willingness to further develop skills.
• Must hold a driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent – or be willing to work towards a required qualification.
• Willing to engage the young people in a wide range of activities and support them towards Independence and Adulthood.
• Flexible with working hours and able to work a mixture of days, evenings, and weekends.
• Able to challenge unacceptable behaviour, provide firm boundaries, and meet individual needs.
• Must be able to work as part of a team.
• Ability to maintain policies and procedures.
• Effective communication skills both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to engage and listen.

If you feel that you could use your skills to support this work through creating a caring and stimulating environment allowing for a range of opportunities and life experiences for the young people, then we want to hear from you.

Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.