At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with complex needs through play, care, and creative activities.
- Company: Join Cherry Trees at Goldcrest Lodge, a caring and supportive environment.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, a pension, and on-site parking.
- Other info: Perfect for students seeking part-time roles or sandwich-year placements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while having fun and being creative.
- Qualifications: Empathy for children with complex needs; experience is a plus but not required.
The predicted salary is between 29973 - 36633 £ per year.
Join the team at Goldcrest Lodge, where days include play, dance and creative sessions built around our ethos of child first, disability second.
Working arrangements
- Location: Goldcrest Lodge, Liphook, Hampshire
- Salary / Pay: £33,303 per year
- Shift Pattern: 7.00am to 7.00pm, full-time shift work on a 2-weekly pattern (part-time also available)
About Cherry Trees
Cherry Trees provides specialist, home-from-home care for children with complex disabilities across our two homes in Surrey and Hampshire, giving families a vital break, while helping children build confidence and independence.
What you'll be doing
- Direct care
- Help children develop personal care skills such as washing and feeding
- Support children working towards personal goals and greater independence
- Support social development and friendship building during respite stays
- Play and activities
- Enable community activities and recreational experiences for children
- Share play, reading, dance, painting and creative sessions together
- Work alongside an experienced, supportive care team
What we're looking for
- Natural empathy for supporting children with complex needs
- Comfortable working shifts on a 2-weekly rota pattern
- Experience in children's care welcome but not essential
- Open to students seeking sandwich-year placements or part-time roles
- Enhanced DBS check, or willingness to obtain one
- Strong team player happy to work alongside others
Benefits
- 33 days annual leave including bank holidays
- Company pension
- Blue Light Card
- Employee Assistance Programme
- On-site parking
All offers of employment are subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and at least two satisfactory references. Applicants must have the right to work in the United Kingdom; we cannot offer sponsorship. Cherry Trees is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Ready to bring play, patience and creativity to Goldcrest Lodge? Apply now and help children build confidence for life beyond our doors.
Childrens Care Worker employer: Cherry Trees
Goldcrest Lodge is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable children. With a supportive management team and a strong commitment to employee development through comprehensive training and career progression opportunities, you will find a nurturing work culture that values compassion and reliability. Join us in creating a safe and caring environment where your contributions are truly valued every night.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Care Worker
✨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 Cherry Trees.
✨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 Cherry Trees!
✨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 Cherry Trees, 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 Cherry Trees 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 Childrens Care Worker
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 Cherry Trees:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Cherry Trees! 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 Cherry Trees
✨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.
