Contract: Full Time, permanent
Starting Salary: Base salary of £26,327.76 with the potential to earn up to £28,007.76 with sleep in shifts
Salary after probation: Base salary of £27,487.20 with the potential to earn up to £29,167.20 with sleep in shifts
Specific Hours: Approx 40 hours per week - shift pattern
Apple Orchard has five homes in Surrey and West Sussex, each set in a rural location, providing a comfortable homely environment for young males aged 13-18 years. We currently have openings for experienced Residential Childcare Support Workers and welcome applications from those passionate about making a positive difference in young people's lives and willing to undertake relevant training and qualifications.
We aim to help young people develop insight into their experiences to move on from their often traumatic pasts. We support them in making sense of their lives by providing clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals, including positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and free time.
Central to our work is providing a high level of nurturing that ensures all basic needs of the young person are met to the highest standard. This includes creating a warm and friendly atmosphere with a strong emphasis on building supportive relationships and positive attachments.
Duties and Responsibilities:
* Ensure a caring and motivating environment for young people that considers individual developmental needs and enables them to reach their full potential.
* Plan and prepare activities that meet young people's needs and stimulate their learning and integration within the home.
* Stay informed of legislation, guidelines, and policies to ensure compliance with the Children’s Act, Children’s homes regulations, and national minimum standards.
* Observe and assess young people’s progress, keeping accurate records of their achievements, behavior, and important events in their lives, including maintaining a life book for key working responsibilities.
* Work with local authorities to ensure outstanding care for young people.
* Establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers to support young people’s learning and development.
* Be flexible in working practices, including undertaking domestic tasks within the home such as meal preparation, cleaning, and shopping.
* Collaborate with the Manager and staff team to fulfill the home's philosophy.
* Maintain clear and legible records regarding young people, ensuring that entries are legible, clearly expressed, and distinguished between fact, opinion, and third-party information.
Essential Skills:
* Previous experience working with teenage boys or challenging behavior, with a willingness to further develop skills.
* Hold a driving license and have access to a vehicle, as public transport is not viable due to the rural location.
* Hold a Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or be willing to work towards a required qualification.
* Willingness to engage young people in a wide range of activities and support them towards independence and adulthood.
* Flexibility with working hours, able to work a mixture of days, evenings, and weekends, with every other weekend off.
* Able to challenge unacceptable behavior, provide firm boundaries, and meet individual needs.
* Ability to work as part of a team, follow delegated tasks, and maintain policies and procedures.
* Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
* Ability to engage and listen.
Benefits:
* Company pension
* £35 per sleep in (one per week x 48 weeks)
* Access to our Exchange Employee Discount Scheme
* Access to wellbeing programmes via our Exchange Provision
* Promotion opportunities
* Fully funded training for recognized qualifications
If you feel you could use your skills to support this work by creating a caring and stimulating environment for young people, we want to hear from you.
Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at an enhanced level if successful for the position.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £28,007.76-£29,167.20 per year
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: REF-31-GCCDEAS
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