Children’s Residential Care Worker

---

This vacancy is open to applicants who are currently unemployed in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. Way2Work is a fully funded ESF project run by Futures and its partners with the aim of supporting unemployed people into sustainable employment.

About the Company

 

Footsteps to Futures provides therapeutic living environments and support for young people in the East Midlands. We are committed to improving the lives of young people and children with emotional and behavioural difficulties by providing warm, safe and therapeutic living environments. Our aim is to offer all members of the Footsteps To Futures Family the best opportunities in life through emotional discovery, teaching life skills and supporting them in building their social skills.

About the Role

The Children’s Residential Worker is responsible for the direct day to day care of children and young people residing with FtF. The overall purpose of the role is to support young people and help them learn and develop necessary life skills needed on their journey towards independence. In some instances this may include aspects of helping the young people come to terms with and manage the consequences of their past experiences. As shift leaders the Children’s Residential Workers needs to possess basic leadership capabilities, which involves taking responsibility of children and colleagues during shifts and acting as the Residential House authority where applicable.

1.0 Overriding Responsibilities

1.1 Direct work with the residents involving keyworking, counselling and generally taking an active part in their daily lives on a shift work basis.

1.2 Contact and dialogue with Social Services, other outside agencies and third parties who may have an involvement in the young people’s care.

1.3 Taking responsibility for the welfare of the home with regard to health and safety in line with HSE Management System specifications. Tackling primary care issues, as well as making autonomous decisions about individual resident’s requests and behaviour whilst on shift.

1.4 Administrative work and record keeping associated with key working responsibilities and the daily running of the home.

1.5 To abide by, as well as be familiar with The Children’s Home Regulations (England) 2015 and ensure that care delivery is in line with the Care Quality Standards

1.6 To lead the shifts within the home and provide guidance and support to your colleagues.

1.7 To work in line with FtF policies and procedures

2.0 Care Practice Responsibilities

2.1 To provide a safe and supportive environment within the home for children and young people.

2.2 Ability to identify key indicators of safeguarding concerns.

2.3 Ability to effectively follow safeguarding practice and procedures.

2.4 To actively contribute to the development of young people through the provision of a healthy lifestyle, a variety of appropriate stimulating activities and group holidays.

2.5 To be a positive and caring role model for young people.

2.6 To talk with and listen to young people, be alert to signs of distress or abuse.

2.7 To set up and maintain links with key agencies and third parties involved with the care of the residents, e.g. schools, GP’s, interpreters, community groups and social services.

2.8 As a keyworker to contribute to assessment and care planning, participate in reviews and other meetings as required and to assist in the implementation of care plans.

2.9 To maintain contact with children and young people’s families where appropriate.

2.10 To support residents in achieving their planned objectives and individual goals in line with FtF Policy

2.11 To promote equality and diversity taking into account ethnicity, culture, language, religion, sexual orientation or disability.

2.12 To assist residents in moving into independent accommodation by preparatory work during their residence and outreach support afterwards.

2.13 To provide for young people’s physical needs as necessary, by cooking, washing, ironing, shopping, budgeting and by enabling young people to carry out such tasks for themselves to assist them in developing the skills needed for independent living.

3.0 Relations with colleagues

3.1 To contribute positively to teamwork, supporting and sharing knowledge and experience with colleagues and being prepared to receive support as necessary.

3.2 To participate in staff meetings as required.

3.3 To act flexibly, within reasonable bounds, in order to ensure the necessary cover for a residential home.

3.4 To inform colleagues of relevant developments, for example during handover.

4.0 Household responsibilities

4.1 To share in the practical activities necessary to maintain a home.

4.2 To set high standards in homemaking

4.3 To care for the fabric, equipment and overall environment, and understand the importance of the impact this will have on the resident’s quality of life.

4.4 To be accountable for monies allocated for specific purposes.

4.5 To be aware of health and safety issues and, within the area of control, to implement FtF Health, Safety, Environment practice and maintaining a safe environment, complying with any and all legal requirements.

4.6 To drive the home’s assigned vehicle as and when required and / or to accompany young people on public transport as required.

5.1 To keep abreast of good practice in order to develop skills, knowledge and experience, in accordance with the FtF Care Plan.

5.2 To attend supervision as arranged with your line manager.

5.3 To report to a line manager, or other appropriate person, malpractice or evidence which may suggest it.

5.4 To be aware of and adhere to all relevant financial procedures and to report any discrepancies to your manager immediately

5.5 To ensure that all the work undertaken by yourself is conducted to the highest professional standards. To promote and implement all of FtF policies and procedures and lead by example.

5.5 To uphold and promote FtF Equal Opportunities policy in all aspects of the work.

5.6 To engage and embrace all assigned training significant to the role and personal development.

6.6 Ensure that at all times the home is clean, tidy and well presented. This will include giving staff on shift direction to complete these tasks to an acceptable standard.

 

About You

Aged 21 or over, Full UK driving license with access to own vehicle, Flexibility to work long days and sleep ins on a rota basis.

 

• Level 3 Diploma in Children's Residential Care or a willingness to work towards this qualification
• Candidates must be aged 21 or over
• We are willing to consider entry-level applicants for this role
• 1 year’s experience working with children in care is desirable.
• A working knowledge of safeguarding children.

 

Benefits

Enrolment into the NEST Pension scheme

224 hour's annual leave

Regular supervisions, reviews of career and training needs/aspirations

Refer a friend scheme – recommend a friend to come and work with us and you’ll earn a £400 bonus!

Employee Assistance Programme

Blue light card paid for by the company

Staff bonus based on home Ofsted rating (£100 for Good, £200 for Outstanding)

Enrolment on to the Level 3 Diploma in Children’s Residential Care

Prospect of a pay rise upon completion of probation

Access to psychological support and wellbeing programmes