Residential Child Care Worker in Pontefract

Residential Child Care Worker in Pontefract

Pontefract Full-Time No working from home possible
All The Top Bananas

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support and nurture young people, helping them build skills for adulthood.
  • Company: Dove Adolescent Services, a leading children's services group in the UK.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, employee discounts, and holiday pay.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career progression opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building a rewarding career.
  • Qualifications: Passion for supporting youth; experience is a plus but not required.

Company: Dove Adolescent Services

Location: Wakefield

Base Location: With services in Pontefract, Wakefield, Eggborough and Barnsley we currently have vacancies throughout

Contract Type: Full time, permanent

Specific Hours: 39 hours per week

Salary:

  • Unqualified: Base salary of £26,785.82, with the potential to earn up to £32,185.82 with sleep-in shifts.
  • Qualified (Level 3 Diploma or equivalent): Base salary of £27,355.29, with the potential to earn up to £32,755.29 with sleep-in shifts.

What We Offer:

  • Full training and support to gain your Level 3 Diploma in Childcare or Level 4 Apprenticeship
  • £45 per sleep-in shift (average 8-10 per month)
  • Pension scheme
  • Employee discounts at over 740 retailers
  • Refer-a-Friend bonus - £500 for every successful referral
  • Childcare voucher scheme
  • Holiday pay and meals included on shift
  • Be part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK's leading children's services groups

About the Role:

At Dove Adolescent Services, we provide safe, nurturing homes for young people aged 8-18, helping them build emotional resilience, positive relationships, and the skills they need for adulthood.

We're recruiting Residential Childcare Support Workers across Yorkshire to support young people with personalised care, structure, and meaningful experiences.

In this role, you will:

  • Safeguard and support the wellbeing of young people
  • Build positive, trusting relationships
  • Encourage their interests, development, and independence
  • Take part in activities and help create a warm, inclusive home environment
  • Complete sleep-in duties as part of a flexible rota

Whether you're experienced, qualified, or simply passionate about supporting young people, we'd love to hear from you.

Why Join Dove?

Dove is a place to build a career, not just start a job - many of our Operations Directors and Home Managers began as Support Workers, progressing through ongoing training and development.

All of our inspected homes are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted, and we're proud of our passionate, ambitious teams and our commitment to positive outcomes.

As part of the team, you could be:

  • Biking or hiking the Pennines
  • Taking trips to cinemas or theme parks
  • Or simply providing a safe, stable home where young people can thrive

What We're Looking For:

  • A genuine desire to support and engage with young people
  • Ability to work as part of a team and independently
  • Flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in shifts
  • Prior experience in care is welcome but not essential - we'll train you!

Dove Adolescent Services is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible individuals, regardless of background. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All offers of employment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.

Residential Child Care Worker in Pontefract employer: All The Top Bananas

My Four Wheels is an exceptional employer, offering a rewarding career as a Trainee Driving Instructor with flexible working hours and the potential to earn up to £50,000+ annually. With comprehensive training provided through our new Training Academy, employees benefit from ongoing support and resources, ensuring a fulfilling journey towards becoming a qualified instructor while enjoying the satisfaction of teaching locally in Westfield, Surrey.

All The Top Bananas

Contact Details:

All The Top Bananas Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Worker in Pontefract

Dive into Local Community Groups

Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at All The Top Bananas.

Attend Social Work Events and Workshops

Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from All The Top Bananas!

Showcase Your Passion and Expertise

Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like All The Top Bananas, will notice your enthusiasm!

Leverage Your Network

Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at All The Top Bananas or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.

We think you need these skills to ace Residential Child Care Worker in Pontefract

Safeguarding
Relationship Building
Emotional Resilience Support
Activity Planning
Teamwork
Independence Encouragement
Flexibility

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.

Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!

Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!

Tailor Your Application to All The Top Bananas:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to All The Top Bananas! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at All The Top Bananas

Understanding the Role of Empathy

In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.

Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks

Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.

Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills

In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.

Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.