Job Description: Support Worker (Children's Home)
Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Salary: £25,356 - £30,000
Hours: Full-Time
Reports to: Residential Care Manager
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a compassionate and dedicated Support Worker to join our team in a residential children's home. The Support Worker will play a vital role in providing high-quality care, support, and safeguarding to children and young people living in the home. You will work directly with children and young people, ensuring they are supported emotionally, physically, and socially, in line with individual care plans, the Children’s Homes Regulations, and the ethos of our home.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Direct Care: Provide day-to-day support to children and young people, helping with personal care, education, health, and social activities.
2. Safeguarding: Follow safeguarding procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people in your care, identifying and reporting any concerns.
3. Emotional Support: Build trusting relationships with children and young people, offering guidance and support for their emotional and developmental needs.
4. Individual Care Plans: Implement and contribute to the development of individual care plans for each child, ensuring that their needs are met.
5. Behaviour Management: Assist in managing challenging behaviour in a positive and constructive manner, promoting appropriate social skills and emotional regulation.
6. Collaborative Work: Work closely with other team members, social workers, families, and professionals to provide the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
7. Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and timely records of care provided, incidents, and progress in line with legal requirements and company policies.
8. Health & Safety: Ensure that the children's home is a safe, clean, and welcoming environment. You will help with the daily upkeep of the home and ensure that health and safety guidelines are followed.
9. Shift Work: Participate in shift work, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins, as required by the service.
10. Training & Development: Participate in ongoing training to develop your skills and knowledge in line with regulatory and organisational standards.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Essential:
1. Minimum of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (or equivalent), or a willingness to work towards this qualification.
2. Experience working with children and young people in a care, education, or social care setting. Understanding of child protection and safeguarding procedures.
3. Good verbal and written communication skills.
Desirable:
1. Experience in a residential children's home or similar environment.
2. First Aid qualification.
3. A driving licence (if applicable for the role).
PERSONAL QUALITIES
1. Empathy: A genuine passion for working with children and young people, showing kindness, patience, and understanding.
2. Resilience: The ability to cope with challenging situations and support children through difficult emotions or behaviours.
3. Adaptability: Ability to respond to changing situations and demands with flexibility and creativity.
4. Team Player: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and other professionals to provide the best care for children and young people.
5. Respectful: A strong commitment to promoting dignity, privacy, and respect for children and young people in your care.
6. Positive Attitude: A proactive and solution-focused approach to problem-solving and a commitment to the welfare and development of children.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
1. Child Development: Understanding of child development and the impact of trauma on children and young people.
2. Behavioural Management: Knowledge of positive behavioural support and approaches to managing challenging behaviour.
3. Safeguarding and Risk Assessment: Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection legislation, and ability to conduct risk assessments.
4. Communication: Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and the ability to engage children and young people effectively.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
1. Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, and sleep-ins as required by the role.
2. A clear enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is required.
3. Commitment to continuous professional development and a willingness to undertake further training.
CONFIDENTIALITY & DATA PROTECTION
The post-holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about service users, staff, and other health service businesses. The post-holder must also comply with all company information and data protection policies and meet the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at all times.
MANAGING STRESS
The company has an agreed policy and procedure that links with a range of services and arrangements for staff to manage stress. All staff are required to familiarise themselves with the policy and services to best manage their own and their colleagues’ stress.
HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS (HCAIs)
All staff have a responsibility to act and follow all instructions to protect patients, staff, and others from HCAIs. They are required to follow the Hygiene Code, all company policies and procedures related to it, and the Health Act 2006. Failure to comply with any of these may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.
EQUALITY & DIVERSITY
The company has adopted a Managing Staff Diversity Strategy and Policy covering all of its staff, and it is the responsibility of all staff to comply with these requirements at all times. The key responsibilities for staff under this Strategy and Policy are set out in the Code of Conduct for Employees. Failure to comply with these policies may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
FLEXIBILITY
This job description is intended to provide a broad outline of the main responsibilities only. The post-holder must be flexible in developing their role in agreement with their designated manager. In addition, they may be required by their manager to carry out any other duty commensurate with their banding and expertise.
Safeguarding Statement:
This role is subject to:
1. An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a barred list check.
2. Verification of professional qualifications and employment history.
3. Professional references
4. Completion of a suitability declaration prior to appointment.
Ongoing training in child protection and safeguarding is mandatory. All staff are required to adhere to our safeguarding policies, including the duty to report any concerns regarding children or colleagues immediately.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Zero hours contract
Pay: £25,356.00-£30,000.00 per year
Additional pay:
* Bonus scheme
* Performance bonus
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Casual dress
* Company pension
* Free parking
* Referral programme
* Sick pay
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: JF02
#J-18808-Ljbffr