Main Duties And Responsibilities
Caring for the children/ young people
To strive to build positive relationships with each child/ young person at the home.
To use and promote the principles of ‘Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy’ (PACE) in everyday working with the aim of providing attachment security through consistent and attuned approaches.
To monitor the relationships and practical tasks associated with residential work.
To value and nurture each child/ young person as an individual with talents, strengths and abilities that can develop over time.
To take an interest in all aspects of the young person’s life, health, and well-being; and to ensure that individualised needs are met.
To treat each child/ young person with dignity and respect.
To help each child/ young person to express their views, wishes and feelings; and advocate for each child/ young person when needed.
To ensure those key stages in the stay of a young person such as admission and discharge, are managed properly with sensitivity and to ensure that relevant information about young people is communicated to staff.
Where appropriate, and as agreed with Senior Management, to offer on-going contact or support to young people that have left the organisation.
To support each child/ young person’s therapy programme (facilitating appointments, assisting with homework, encouraging discussions, and practicing therapeutic strategies) as required.
To support children/ young people to enjoy and achieve both at home and within the local community.
To promote development of positive relationships with peers and adults (at the home, within families, and in the community).
To oversee and plan for contact between the children/ young people and their families or significant others.
To actively promote and support each child/ young person’s education, training, or employment.
To help each child/ young person to develop resilience and skills that prepare them for adulthood.
To support and encourage children/ young people to participate in decision making and planning of their futures.
To ensure that children/ young people facing particular crises and stresses are offered appropriate additional support, and to ensure that staff are supported in dealing with these issues.
To ensure that the children/ young people are supported in all domestic aspects regarding their personal space and the communal areas of the home.
To ensure that health and safety regulations are complied with including environmental health and fire regulations.
To ensure that the home environment is maintained to promote a sense of order, safety, and well- being, as well as a sense of pride.
To report immediately to senior management any major structural problems with the house.
To maintain the vehicle in a safe condition, encouraging staff and children/ young people to take good care of this.
Safeguarding & amp; Child Protection
To recognise, respond, record, and refer any safeguarding concerns in line with the home’s Safeguarding Policy.
To manage the development and implementation of each child/ young person’s risk assessment and behaviour management plans.
To liaise with the other Designated Safeguarding Leads regarding safeguarding actions to be taken; and to ensure accurate recording in line with the home’s Safeguarding Policy.
Training, Supervision & amp; Development
To promote the philosophy and objectives of the organisation.
By the relevant date to have attained the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for
Residential Childcare; or a qualification that the registered provider considers to be equivalent to the Level 5 Diploma.
To undertake any other training and professional development as directed by the registered provider.
To have good working knowledge of and comply with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015; and the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards (April 2015).
To engage in monthly supervision sessions with the Responsible Individual; and to use supervisions for self-reflection of practice, reactions, and triggers.
Communication
To record any incidents in line with the home’s Incident Reporting Policy.
To lead Home Meetings and Team Meetings and participate in CLA Reviews/ PEP Meetings/Professionals or Planning Meetings as required.
To deal with email and telephone enquiries as required.
To maintain a professional liaison and co-operate with external agencies e.g. Local Authorities, YOS, doctors, hospitals, police, consultancy staff and others concerned with the welfare of the children/ young people.
Administration
To oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of children/ young people’s placement plans and risk assessments.
To monitor the children/ young people’s care files.
To maintain accurate records.
To ensure that all records held within the house are signed, as per legislation requirements.
To oversee and apply the home’s Statement of Purpose.
To contribute to report writing as required.
To monitor and sign any measures of control, discipline, or restraint for the home.
To notify the appropriate authorities in light of a serious event (Regulation 40).
Management Of Staff
To provide leadership, guidance, motivation, creativity, and management to other staff.
To promote and comply with the organisation’s policies; and ensure other staff are working in line with these.
To manage the staff training plan; and ensure that staff complete training requirements.
To facilitate three month and six-month reviews; and to manage staff through their probationary periods.
To facilitate annual appraisals for the staff team; and ensure that all staff have a personal development plan.
To provide staff training as required.
To provide staff supervision when required; and ensure all staff are receiving quality supervision from their allocated supervisor.
To participate in any disciplinary matters as appropriate.
To ensure that acceptable staff cover is shown on the rota.
To manage staff holidays, timesheets, and sickness.
To undertake on call responsibilities on a rota basis.
To report practice issues to the Responsible Individual.
To be concerned for staff welfare, monitoring performance including staff absences.
To offer staff as appropriate, the opportunity to take part in other areas of the organisation’s work i.e. therapeutic work, education support.
Management Of Finances
To ensure that staff operate the financial weekly budget system within policy guidelines.
To manage and operate budgets within the figures and guidelines laid down.
To monitor on-going expenditure.
To assist, when required in the preparation of budgetary estimates.
Other
To participate in the general activities of the home and to use any personal skills you may have to maximise opportunity for each young person.
To work flexible hours in response to the needs of the young people, in consultation with the line manager.
To carry out any other duties that may be reasonably requested.
Requirements
* To have at least 2 years’ experience in a position relevant to the residential care of children within the last 5 years.
* Achieved the Level 3/4 Diploma for Residential Childcare or a qualification that the registered provider considers to be equivalent.
* Achieved or willing/ able to work towards Diploma 5 in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare; or a qualification that the registered provider considers to be equivalent.
Salary
* £50,000 - £60,000 PA
* Company Bonuses