Job Introduction £26,835 - £29,572 pro rata, per annum. This includes 2 atypicals payments for the requirement to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays for staff working on a rota basis. (For alternative working patterns, where atypicals don't apply, salary Band C will apply: £25,992 - £28,624 pro rata, per annum). This also includes sleep ins, for which a separate payment will be made (currently £41.78). Hours: Full time - 37 hours per week Part time - we are very flexible and happy to support part time working, so all requests will be considered in order that we can have the homes rotas covered. Casual hours About the Role Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of children and young people in Solihull? Solihull Childrens Services have an exciting new opportunity for a team of enthusiastic and passionate Residential Care Practitioners to join us as we launch our third small (three bed) children’s residential home in Shirley, Solihull. We also have some vacancies available within our other homes in Knowle and Cheswick Green. Whether you are an experienced Care Practitioner, or you are looking for a change in career, we would love to hear from you. We will provide a comprehensive induction and training in the run up to the opening of the home, and where required, a funded Level 4 Residential Childcare qualification, to enable you to join us in our commitment to deliver the highest quality care for our children and young people. Here in Solihull, Children’s Services is our top priority within our Council Plan and we are placing children at the heart of all that we do. This highly rewarding role will see you relish the opportunity to make a real difference to children, young people and their families in Solihull. By providing a safe, stable, supportive and stimulating environment, you will help to create a strong foundation for a brighter future. In this dynamic role, no two days will be the same. One day might see you complete the school run and a food shop, followed by a movie night. The next might be an action-packed day out or contributing towards a care plan and attending a meeting with other professionals. And while some days may have their challenges, every day should include hugs, laughter, reassurance, sharing, and learning. You will build positive and meaningful relationships with our children and young people, acting as a role model to enable them to address challenges and build resilience. And you won’t think twice about going above and beyond, to enable our children and young people to achieve their full potential on their journey to adulthood. Our Current Opportunities We want the best for our children, and we recognise to prioritise our children’s care we must also prioritise the wellbeing of those caring for them, so we can offer various shift patterns to allow our staff the ability to maintain a good work life balance. We currently have the following opportunities: Full time - 37 hours per week Part time - we are very flexible and happy to support part time working, so all requests will be considered in order that we can have the homes rotas covered. Casual hours Please indicate which opportunity you wish to be considered for within your application. Additional payments will be made for Sleep ins (current rate is £41.78). Our Offer to You A funded Level 4 qualification in Residential Care (where required. Please note, a minimum of 16 contracted hours per week is required to qualify for the apprenticeship) Quality training and coaching via our Children's Social Care Academy to support your continuous professional development Competitive pay A clear career pathway Access to our Local government pension 25 days annual leave rising to 30 days after 5 years of service, and the opportunity to buy up to 10 days of additional leave per year Our Employee Assistance Programme – a 24 hour independent, free and confidential advice and support service Family and carer friendly policies Many other employee benefits including staff discounts, subsidised travel passes and Cycle 2 Work Scheme About You You will hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent e.g., NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care, Level 3 Children and Young People Workforce Diploma etc), OR you will have GSCE Maths and English grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) and will be willing to work towards and successfully complete a Level 4 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 (full time) years of your appointment, as funded by us. You will have experience (paid or voluntary) and transferable skills working in a health and social care or educational setting, having also previously dealt with challenging behaviours. Displaying great self-awareness and excellent communication skills, you will also have the ability to build strong relationships with our children and young people. And you will have a passion for learning, self-reflection, and growth within this role; striving to deliver a high-quality service and demonstrating a continued commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of our children and young people. Knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and a knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures are also essential. This post also carries essential car user status, therefore you must be able to drive, have a driving licence and have access to a car, however for disabled applicants, reasonable adjustments will be made where required. Whilst you will be based at one of our three children’s residential homes, on occasions you will be required to provide cover across all three homes, to ensure we continue to meet the needs of our children and young people. About us: At Solihull Council, we pride ourselves on being a Council that is small enough to care, but big enough to make a difference. We place children and young people at the heart of all we do to enable them to achieve their potential and lead fulfilling lives. This means our workforce needs to be effectively led, supported, and well trained. It’s our aim to offer high-quality support and guidance to all team members. This includes supporting you, as you support others in the team. We also have a strong culture of child-focused practice. This means transparency, cooperation, and a real commitment to the young people we will care for. To apply, please click on the link. Your application should be in your own words and reflect your own personal experiences. Please specify which hours you are applying for within your application. Or to find out more about the many benefits of working for Solihull, please click here. If you have a specific question regarding this post, please contact Beth Massey, Residential Operations Manager, on beth.masseysolihull.gov.uk Closing date: 5 January 2025. Closing date for the receipt of redeployee applications: 5 December 2024. Please note, applications may be reviewed and pre-screening / interviews carried out at regular intervals during this recruitment window, therefore candidates are advised to submit their application as soon as possible. Assessment for these opportunities will consist of a two stage process: Stage one: A pre-screening phone call. Stage two: Candidates who are successful at stage one will be invited to interview. Please note, we are not accepting CVs for this opportunity. This post is subject to compliance checks in line with Schedule 2 requirements for working in a children’s home, including a pre-employment medical check. This post will also be subject to require a DBS check. This post is covered by the Fluency Duty, as outlined in the Code of Practice on the English language requirements for public sector workers. Solihull Council is proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees - a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. Solihull Council has a responsibility for, and is committed to, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.