Senior Residential Child Care Worker (Maternity Cover)

Senior Residential Child Care Worker (Maternity Cover), Edinburgh

Client:

Harmeny Education Trust

Location:

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

81edb5b811c3

Job Views:

3

Posted:

18.04.2025

Expiry Date:

02.06.2025

Job Description:

Harmeny Education Trust is a charitable organisation providing therapeutic care and education to children who have experienced early years trauma through abuse, neglect and family disruption, referred from all over Scotland. We currently work with children and young people aged 5-18, both on a day and all-year-round residential basis.

We are seeking a Senior Residential Child Care Worker to join Harmeny on a fixed-term employment basis for approximately one year to cover maternity leave.

The postholder will be a member of the Care staff team, which operates all year round. The post holder will contribute to the creation of a culture and ethos in which the needs of the children are paramount and provide them with security, safety, care and social development to enable them to reach their potential.

The postholder will provide assistance to the Service Manager (Residential) and Residential Team Manager and be an additional source of support and direction for the Care team. In the absence of the Residential Team Manager and Service Manager (Residential), the Senior Residential Child Care Worker will assume the leadership role within the Care team.

The applicant should be registered, or will need to register within the first three months of employment, with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a supervisor on the register for children and young people workforce in residential child care services.

The salary for the post is £37,895 per annum (subject to a 2025/2026 pay award). Generous sleepover allowance of £100 per session is paid in addition to salary.

Harmeny is situated in a beautiful 35-acre woodland estate, which includes residential and education accommodation, community garden, orchard, wildlife habitats and children’s play areas. Harmeny is located in Balerno on the outskirts of Edinburgh, at the foot of the Pentland Hills; we are easily accessible by bus and there is on-site parking available.

We offer benefits and opportunities that promote wellbeing, work-life balance, staff development and security. Benefits include:

• On-site wellbeing spaces and free massage therapy
• Free gym membership and cycle to work scheme
• Access to a wellbeing app and counselling
• Access to discounts on shopping and events.

All staff receive a comprehensive induction package, and access to a range of learning and development opportunities throughout their career with us.

If you would like to find out more about this rewarding opportunity, please contact a member of the Care Management Team on 0131 449 3938.

To apply, please complete the application form via our recruitment section at www.harmeny.org.uk/jobs or by telephone on 0131 4493938.

Closing date: 23 April 2025
Interview date: 2 May 2025

Key Responsibilities

• Promote a positive ethos in the school consistent with Harmeny’s vision, purpose and core values.
• Support the Residential Team Manager with the implementation of management decisions, consistent with the Harmeny and cottage plans, policies and procedures.
• Be an integral part of the Care staff team.
• Care for the children’s everyday requirements and to help create a homely, caring and safe environment for all the children at Harmeny.
• Develop and implement care plans which address the needs of the child.
• Be involved in the development and implementation of risk assessment planning for children.
• Be involved in the development and implementation of cottage improvement plans that reflect recommendations from the Independent Care Review outcomes – “The Promise”.
• Be able to understand children’s behaviour and support them to manage their behaviour themselves.
• Where required, as a last resort, be capable of implementing physical intervention techniques.
• Support children’s learning during and out with the formal school day.
• Be a designated keyworker as directed by the Residential Team Manager.
• As a designated keyworker, participate in regular reviews and submit written reports on individual children.
• Attend regular staff and children’s meetings as required.
• Ensure that all children’s personal records including case notes, reviews and medical information are kept up to date.
• Be able to be flexible within the timetable and working patterns at the discretion of the Service Manager (Residential).
• Work in accordance with all Harmeny policies and procedures.
• Attend supervision, training and other meetings, as required.
• Participate in in-service training and recognised residential care training.
• Undertake sleep-in duties as required by the staffing rota.
• Participate in residential trips and holidays when required.
• Carry out any other duties consistent with the nature of the post at the discretion of the Harmeny’s management team.

Additional Responsibilities

• Take responsibility as delegated by the Residential Team Manager / Service Manager (Residential) for managing resources of staff and finance to meet the needs of the children and the effective running of the school.
• Ensure that the highest levels of professional practice are maintained within the overall operation of the care and learning environments.
• Assist in the provision of professional support and direction for Care staff.
• Provide evening, daytime and weekend leadership to the staff team on a rota basis.
• Ensure that all recording and reporting systems are maintained and updated and to bring to the attention of the Residential Team Manager / Service Manager (Residential) any issues of concern at the earliest opportunity.
• Lead staff meetings and record decisions in the absence of the Residential Team Manager / Service Manager (Residential).
• Deputise for the Residential Team Manager / Service Manager (Residential), as required, at management meetings.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• A qualification in line with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) requirements for supervisors on the register for children and young people workforce in residential child care services, or an ability to work towards this. For more information, please visit www.sssc.uk.com.
• Experience in residential work and / or childcare, including working with children with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of children who are looked after and accommodated, and children with complex additional support needs.
• Knowledge of child development, childcare legislation, good practice guidance, policy and procedures and a commitment to Children’s Rights.
• Knowledge of the Independent Care Review, “The Promise”.
• Understanding of the duty of care to children and colleagues.
• Understanding of the practice issues of physical intervention (PI), and ability to undertake PI when required.
• Knowledge and experience of organising and delivering children’s activities.
• Good communication skills, both written and oral.
• Experience of mentoring and supporting new staff and students.
• Good organisational and administrative skills and computer literacy.

Harmeny Education Trust is a charity that provides care and education to remarkable children from all over Scotland who’ve had a challenging start in life. Our therapeutic services enable children to discover the wonders of childhood, and develop the skills and resilience to lead happy and fulfilling lives.