Senior Residential Children's Home Support Worker

Polaris Community; City Of London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading youth care organization in the City of London is looking for a Senior Support Worker to ensure the welfare of young people in care. This position requires 2-3 years of relevant experience and a Children's Workforce Diploma. The Senior Support Worker will manage a small team, implement care standards, and support children's development while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations. This role includes a 60-hour work week on a rotating schedule and offers progression opportunities within the organization.

Benefits

236 hours annual leave

Pension scheme

Mandatory training program

Qualifications

• 2-3 years of relevant experience in childcare.
• Experience in managing teams and child protection protocols.

Responsibilities

• Implement care standards and child protection guidelines.
• Lead and mentor staff in providing high-quality care.
• Manage health and safety regulations within the home.
• Support children in their personal and educational development.

Skills

Childcare leadership

Emotional support

Safety management

Communication

Education

Children's Workforce Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

The welfare of our young people is paramount in the role of a Support Worker. Not only do Support Workers keep our young people safe, but as the daily care provider, they also make a fundamental contribution to their care, learning and development. A key figure within the team, you will build invaluable bridges between Area Camden and the local community, promoting social inclusion as you support people with emotional and behavioural difficulties to reach their full potential. The Senior Support Worker is accountable for delivering high quality care to the children and young people resident within the home. This means that they are responsible for delivery of all care services, as well as the strategic planning for developments within the home, and all day-to-day management matters. They will demonstrate the ability to build on the principles and practice standards expected at Area Camden and proactively contribute to the continuous improvement of childcare standards at Area Camden. The Senior Support Worker is responsible for key working children and focussing on obtaining the best outcomes for each child and young person within the home. They are expected to demonstrate practical leadership in childcare, organise and support staff to provide the best possible care for each child and young person, be personally available, supervise and mentor staff, organise work patterns, facilitate care focussed training, and access appropriate services to support childcare practices within the home. The Senior Support Worker is a vitally important role within Area Camden. They will be accountable to the Registered Manager.

• Ensure the effective implementation of the Children Act 1989 and the accompanying guidance and regulations, the Care Standards Act 2000 and the Children's Homes Regulations 2015, in consultation with the relevant statutory body.
• Ensure that any matters relating to child protection are managed in line with current legislation, national standards and best safeguarding practice.
• Maintain the highest possible standards of childcare and ensure that each child and young person\'s agreed placement plan is fully implemented.
• Co-ordinate and access the appropriate services (health, education, therapy) to ensure the needs of each child and young person are met.
• Leadership: Provide leadership and coaching in childcare practice within the home to ensure best outcomes for children and young people.
• Support the Manager and/or Senior Residential Childcare Workers in provision of best possible childcare practices.
• Implement Area Camden underpinning philosophy and practice framework, ensuring that care standards are never compromised.
• Ensure that all Area Camden & Polaris policies and procedures are implemented appropriately.
• Support with monitoring of the home within the Children’s Homes Regulations and Standards; assist with all aspects of Health and Safety Legislation. As a senior, you will work as part of a rolling rota that supports the function of the home, providing round-the-clock support and care for the children.
• Home Management: To achieve the best outcomes for all children and young people, ensure that the home is managed effectively and efficiently.
• Ensure that Residential Childcare staff are focused on providing the best childcare for the children and young people.
• Ensure full participation and cooperation with Area Camden's comprehensive and integrated Quality Assurance systems, including taking responsibility for all duties associated with regulatory compliance, including the annual inspection process.
• Facilitating and supporting Regulation 44 visits. Conduct regular quality assurance inspections to maintain best practice.
• Manage all aspects of Health and Safety, sustain and develop administration and recording systems, and maintain a safe, warm and caring home environment.
• Contribute to managing the home within the agreed budget, taking full responsibility for incidental and direct costs such as repairs to the property and appliances.

Note on candidate requirements (Please note, it is essential that all candidates have relevant experience and qualifications in this role to be considered for an interview. You will need to have between 2 to 3 years experience and hold a Children\'s Workforce Diploma or equivalent to the children sector).

• The ethos and culture of the Area Camden Group, as part of Polaris Community, is founded on core values of mutual respect and good parenting whilst being respectful to the values of privacy, dignity, independence, choice, rights and fulfilment.
• Our purpose is to provide the highest quality care within very high quality settings and to offer young people care, accommodation and support as close to a family environment as possible. The residential care we provide is for 11 to 18-year olds and our focus is centred on the needs of the child.
• A robust Induction and mandatory training program to up skill our workforce.
• Progression within the organisation through promotion and development of the given role.
• Weekly rota on rotation 08:00 to 20:00 (1 week): Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday = 60 hours; (2 week): Wednesday and Thursday = 24 hours.
• Minimum average of 168 hours per calendar month.
• 236 hours annual leave per annum (including bank holidays).
• Holiday increase per year: 12 extra hours for 3 years (capped at 272 hours).
• Pension scheme after a qualifying period.

• Care for Children: Enrich the lives of young people in our care, helping them create a positive future.
• Build on positive trusting relations with each young person.
• Record key work sessions, care plans and risk assessments, keeping them under review as part of the role.

Qualifications and Experience

2-3 years of relevant experience and a Children\'s Workforce Diploma or equivalent to the children sector.