At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and young people in a nurturing environment, helping them achieve their personal goals.
- Company: Join a caring team at Cartref Mynydd Children's Home, dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, training support, and access to wellness resources.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, including weekends and bank holidays, with opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of children with complex needs and childhood trauma.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others; QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care is preferred.
The predicted salary is between 15511 - 15511 £ per year.
The job requirements are detailed below. Essential qualifications, skills and experience are listed in the Job Descriptions/Person Specification which can be found under the attachments section below.
Part Time Residential Child Care Practitioner 18 1/2 hours per week Grade 7 at £15,511 per annum Cartref Mynydd Children's Home, Wattstown, CF39 0PP.
Do you have what it takes to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people? Are you a hardworking and resilient individual who is able to engage with and emotionally support children and young people?
As a Residential Child Care Practitioner, you will be part of a caring team that provides a safe, nurturing home for children and young people, led and supported by an experienced Registered Manager and Senior staff. Successful applicants will be committed to improving the lives of children with complex needs and those who have experienced childhood trauma.
You will need to work creatively with a high level of active engagement in activities and direct work. You will be supported and trained to practice in a therapeutic environment, utilising the Trauma Recovery Model of care. Much of your role will be spent supporting individuals to work through their individual experiences, with the goal of aiding recovery and building resilience, to achieve their personal goals.
This work will support the assessment of the ongoing care and support needs of the individual to ensure positive future planning. This will involve you providing emotional, physical and personal care and support to enable children and young people to reach their full potential, sometimes in challenging situations. This will include working actively with families and professionals to ensure care and support is personalised to meet individual needs, and that children and young people can move on positively from placement.
To succeed in the role, you must be passionate, patient and committed to those you work with, and the professional standards of the role. Candidates will need to demonstrate:
- Positivity and resilience
- A commitment to providing safe and caring environments for children and young people to learn and grow
- Compassion and Empathy, and an enthusiasm to promote individual choice
- The ability to invest in developing trusting relationships
- An enthusiasm and commitment to learning
- An ability to work flexibly
Shifts are inclusive of bank holidays and weekends and are typically worked from 7.30am – 3.30pm and 3pm -11pm. Sleep-in duties and occasional nights on a rota basis are also required. You may occasionally be required to work in other residential locations to support our other homes within the local authority, to meet the needs of the service.
You will be expected to hold or be prepared to work towards the QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) or predecessor qualification NVQ Level 3 (Children and Young People). You will be registered with Social Care Wales, either on appointment, or following completion of the Induction Framework.
Our Offer to you… We recognise that working in Social Care is professionally and personally challenging and demands considerable levels of skill, commitment, and enthusiasm. We offer a dedicated in-house Learning and Development Centre which actively supports our staff to maintain their skills and Continuous Professional Development. Successful applicants will be fully funded to receive the necessary training and support required to undertake the role. Successful applicants who do not hold the relevant qualification will be supported to achieve the QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) within 2 years of appointment.
RCT Council employees also have access to a wide range of staff benefits which include:
- 26 days Annual Leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
- There is also an option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days (pro rata) per year.
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Discounted LeisureForLife Membership
- Access to our Occupational Health Unit and CARI, our new digital confidential wellbeing tool.
Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council. In addition to this safeguarding responsibility, the successful applicant for this role will also be subject to an enhanced disclosure and barring service check.
The Council values diversity in its workforce. We are committed to ensuring that no unlawful discrimination occurs in the recruitment and selection process on the grounds of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, transgender, including those with non-binary identities, religion or belief or pregnancy and maternity. We offer a number of staff networks for employees including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network.
An application submitted for this post in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application made in English. As part of the Council’s longer term objectives in relation to the Welsh language and its Workforce Planning Strategy, it is committed to a guaranteed interview scheme for Welsh-speakers of Level 3 and above. If you meet the essential criteria as identified in the person specification for the job and are a Welsh-speaker of Level 3 and above, you will be invited to interview if you choose to participate in the scheme.
In support of the Council’s voluntary pledge to support the Armed Forces, the recruiter must always be prepared to ensure that applicants who have identified themselves as members of the Armed Forces including Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists and who meet the essential criteria of the person specification, are offered an interview.
Care Experienced Leavers – Guaranteed Interview Scheme As part of the Council’s corporate parenting role it is committed to supporting its care experienced leavers. This means anyone who has spent time within the care system at any point in their life. We encourage applications from individuals who are care experienced to enable them to access employment, education, experiences and volunteering opportunities. The Council will guarantee an interview for any care experienced leavers who wish to take part in the scheme who meet the essential criteria for the role.
Residential Child Care Practitioner - Cartref Mynydd employer: Cardiff Capital
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and collaborative work environment for its staff. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees in the Disabled Children's Services benefit from ongoing training and growth opportunities, ensuring they can make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and families. The council's focus on child-centred, strengths-based practice creates a rewarding atmosphere where social workers can thrive and contribute to the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Practitioner - Cartref Mynydd
✨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 Cardiff Capital.
✨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 Cardiff Capital!
✨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 Cardiff Capital, 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 Cardiff Capital 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 Practitioner - Cartref Mynydd
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 Cardiff Capital:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cardiff Capital! 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 Cardiff Capital
✨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.
