Children's Contracts - Support Worker (Ref:CRH114) in Kent

Department: Children's Contracts, Operations

Reporting to: Support Worker Team Manager

Location: Kent

Contract type: Permanent

Hours of work: 40 hours p/w (Mon - Friday, 8:30am - 5pm)

Salary: £27,264.00 - £33,384.00 per annum

Reporting to Support Worker Team Manager, working as part of a team of support workers, providing high-quality support and positive outcomes for young people leaving care including unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people, supporting them in their transition into adulthood and independent living.

• Manage a caseload of young people allocated within the registered service provision.
• Provide support and guidance to young people living independently in their homes.
• Assist in developing young people’s independent living skills.
• Promote and encourage positive life choices such as social activities, budgeting and education.
• Update and ensure progress is made with care plans accordingly in line with their pathway plan set by their social work team.
• Liaise with social work teams and other stakeholders and/or professionals regarding specific and general service delivery, support, accommodation etc., and respond to any complaints/issues in a timely manner.
• Plan and manage personal business objectives in line with the contract specification and standards set out in the Children’s Contract.
• Participate in service developments including planning, control, monitoring, review and evaluation of activities to ensure continuous improvements in service delivery.
• Ensure that all young people and staff are treated in accordance with the Equal Opportunities policy, and fairly with consideration of their cultural, religious and physical needs.
• Provide on-call assistance as required to young people, staff, social services and management.
• Ensure all safeguarding issues are addressed and signposted in accordance with the company policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and liaise with team members to ensure cohesive and compliant delivery of service.
• Plan and prioritise your diary to ensure effective management of your caseload, ensuring completion of weekly allocated contracted support hours.
• Ensure property standards are maintained in line with health and safety guidelines/standards and company procedures, and any issues are related to the relevant departments.
• Ensure all inventory items within the property portfolio are replaced/repaired as required in line with the contract specification and company processes and reported to relevant departments.
• Ensure your training develops to support the requirements of the contract and to support the successful completion of your role.
• Pursue personal development of skills and knowledge necessary for the effective performance of the role.
• Attend meetings with internal and external stakeholders to validate audit findings that will mitigate any identified risks.
• Communicate the findings from internal audits confidently and articulately to the business.
• Deal with data processing and communicate service contract administration with appropriate departments.
• Attend dispersals and assist the housing officer to conduct young people's inductions into properties using translation services as and when required, providing support on move-in day.
• Ensure all young people have a full understanding of their expectations, house rules and all property-related reporting functions as part of their induction process.
• Report any incidents, accidents and/or near misses, safeguarding issues and/or concerns, and absconders or missing young people.

Connect and Collaborate:

• Work closely with your line manager and team members.
• Collaborate with others, attending meetings as required.
• Support team members and provide on-the-job training.
• Provide cover for other staff as agreed by line manager.

Responsive:

• Keep up to date with all written and verbal communications (i.e., emails/messages/calls).
• Ensure all records are maintained and kept up to date according to company policies and procedures.

Talented:

• NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Social Care and/or equivalent, or willing to work towards one within a set timeframe.
• Knowledge and understanding of The Children’s Act and Children’s Social Care Acts.
• A full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.
• The role involves working from home with daily travel involved to provide direct support to the Children’s Contracts Team.
• Must have previous experience and be used to working with young people within the care setting.
• Strong communication skills, particularly the ability to influence, persuade and negotiate at all levels.
• Excellent relationship building skills.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Must be able to travel across a large geographical portfolio on a daily/weekly basis.
• Monitor own work levels, progress and development in the role.
• Undertake all core learning and development programmes as required.
• Undertake relevant learning according to agreed Personal Development Plan.

Trusted:

• All employees are responsible for ensuring any personal data which Clearsprings Group holds and for which they are responsible, is kept securely and is not disclosed to any third party unless that third party has been specifically authorised by Clearsprings Group to receive that information and has entered into a confidentiality agreement.

Agile and Diverse:

• Any other duties within the scope of responsibility and ability, as required, inclusive of providing similar support to any other local company project.

Professional:

• Maintain a good understanding of the legislation of the contract.
• You will be required to ensure the service is in line with OFSTED Government guidance, to ensure compliance with the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023 and that the necessary changes are made to achieve the minimum standards required.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave plus national bank holidays.
• Westfield Health Membership (offering cashback on health services plus discounts for retailers and gym memberships).
• Life Cover (2 x basic salary).
• 6-month probation period.
• Employer pension contribution (4% employer, 4% employee).
• Laptop/Phone/other equipment if required as part of job role.
• Referral Scheme.

Diversity Statement: Clearsprings Group is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Modern Slavery Statement: Clearsprings Group conducts robust checks on any new employee including eligibility to work in the UK to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will.

Safeguarding Statement: Clearsprings Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk, and expects all employees to share this commitment. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a satisfactory DBS check in line with their job role. This role is not open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer withdrawn. We reserve the right to close the advert early if there is a higher level of interest than expected.