At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in a nurturing environment, helping them reach their full potential.
- Company: Apple Orchard, a caring organisation dedicated to making a difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, competitive pay, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Casual role with shift work, offering every other weekend off.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help guide young people towards independence and adulthood.
- Qualifications: Experience with teenagers, driving licence, and relevant childcare qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 10 - 15 £ per hour.
We currently have openings for experienced Residential Childcare Support Workers, and would also love to hear from those who are passionate about making a positive and lasting difference to young people, and who are willing to undertake the relevant training and qualifications needed.
Salary: £12.55 per hour
Location: Guildford, Surrey
Contract: Casual
Specific Hours: Shift Pattern - ad-hoc cover
Apple Orchard has five homes in Surrey and West Sussex. Each home is set in a rural location and offers a comfortable homely environment for young males aged 12-18 years. We are looking for Residential Support Workers to join our team on a casual basis. This amazing opportunity will also allow you flexibility to work hours you can commit to with no contractual obligation.
We aim to help young people to develop insight into their experiences in order that they can move on from their often damaged traumatic past. We support them as they take steps to make sense of their lives by providing clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals. This includes positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and free time.
Central to our work is the need to provide a high level of nurturing which ensures all the basic needs of the young person are met to the highest standard. This includes providing a home that has a warm and friendly atmosphere where great emphasis is placed on building supportive relationships and positive attachments.
Duties and responsibilities:
- To ensure that a caring and motivating environment is provided for the young people that takes into account individual developmental needs and enables young people to reach their full potential.
- To plan and prepare activities that meet the young people's needs and stimulates their learning and integration within the home.
- Keep well-informed of legislation, guidelines, policies to ensure the Children's Act, Children's homes regulations and the national minimum standards are met at all times.
- To observe and assess young people's progress and keep accurate records of their achievements, behaviour and important events in their lives.
- To produce and keep up to date a life book for any young person for whom you have key working responsibilities.
- To work with local authorities/placing authorities to ensure the care the young people receive is outstanding.
- To establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers in a way that supports young people's learning and development and values parental involvement where appropriate.
- To be flexible within working practices of the home e.g. to help, where needed, including undertaking domestic tasks within the home, which will include preparation of meals, cleaning, shopping etc.
- Work alongside the Manager and staff team to ensure that the philosophy behind the home is fulfilled.
- To keep clear and legible records regarding the young people.
- To ensure that entries in records are legible, clearly expressed, non-stigmatising and distinguished as far as possible between fact, opinion and third-party information.
Essential skills:
- The ideal candidate would have previous experience of working with teenage boys or challenging behaviour and have a willingness to further develop their skills.
- You must hold a driving licence and have access to a vehicle. Due to the rural location of our services public transport would not be a viable option.
- Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
- You would need to be willing to engage the young people in a wide range of activities and support them through their time at Apple Orchard; guiding them towards Independence and Adulthood.
- You will need to be flexible with your working hours and be able to work a mixture of days, evenings and weekends. This role requires shift work although you will have every other weekend off.
- You must be able to challenge unacceptable behaviour, provide firm boundaries and provide care which meets the needs of the individual.
- Must be able to work as part of a team.
- To follow delegated tasks and handovers.
- Be able to maintain policies and procedures.
- Can communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Have the ability to engage and listen.
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 enhanced level if successful for the position.
Residential Childcare Support Worker (Casual) in Woking employer: Apple Orchard
Apple Orchard is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff, offering a competitive salary alongside generous sleep-in allowances. With a supportive work culture in Guildford, Surrey, employees benefit from fully funded qualifications and opportunities for professional growth, making it a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in residential childcare.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Childcare Support Worker (Casual) in Woking
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to friends, family, and former colleagues who might know someone in the field. A personal connection can often get your foot in the door faster than any application.
✨Tip Number 2
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Research organisations like Apple Orchard and reach out directly to express your interest. Sometimes, they might have openings that aren’t advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to childcare support. Think about scenarios you might face and how you’d handle them. This will show you’re ready to tackle the challenges head-on!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Apple Orchard.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Childcare Support Worker (Casual) in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for making a difference shine through. We want to see how much you care about supporting young people and helping them overcome their challenges.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have working with young people or in challenging environments. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission at Apple Orchard.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and understand!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Apple Orchard
✨Know Your Stuff
Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities and values of the role. Understand the importance of providing a nurturing environment for young people and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their development.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for working with young people, especially those who have faced challenges. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions about how you would handle specific situations with young people. Think through potential scenarios, such as managing challenging behaviour or planning engaging activities, and be ready to explain your approach.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the home's philosophy. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
