At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in achieving their goals and enhance their life skills.
- Company: Join Devon County Council, committed to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while enjoying a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and GCSE-level literacy and numeracy skills.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 35000 £ per year.
Residential Support Worker - Children's Homes
Do you have the right values to make a difference to a childs long-term future and positive outcomes? If you are dynamic, resilient, and dedicated, our children would really benefit from your support.
We are currently recruiting to our homes across Devon.
Working within our Childrens Homes is one of the most rewarding career choices you will make. If you have the drive and dedication, then you will enjoy an exciting and rewarding career with us.
Our Childrens Homes are registered with Ofsted and provide support for children and young people with complex needs, ensuring their individual care plans and needs are met.
The ethos of the service is to provide children with a home-from-home experience, enhance and promote their experiences and independence. You will also help to prepare them for the next stages of their life.
Main duties of the job
The role includes:
- Supporting children and young people achieve their personal wishes and goals.
- Assisting with daily tasks and life skills.
- Striving for aspirational outcomes for the children.
- Creating a fun and positive atmosphere.
- Organising and taking part in activities.
- Being proactive and innovative in seeking new methods to engage.
- Ability to engage and build positive relationships with children and young people.
- Remaining calm in challenging situations.
- Able to implement boundaries.
- Able to adapt and respond quickly.
This is an enjoyable and rewarding position for someone who is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children and their families.
Please note:
- You must have the ability to drive, with access to your own vehicle. A valid UK driving licence* is required and business insurance is essential to the role. (*an automatic driving license may not be accepted due to some homes having manual vehicles which staff would be expected to drive). If you hold an automatic license, please contact the recruiting manager to discuss before submitting your application.
- We cannot offer Visa sponsorship for this post or consider applications from individuals with less than two years left on existing visas as we require consistency to meet the needs of the service.
Candidates may find it helpful to download the HMRC app,which can provide an accessible summary of your employment history with datesto support your application.
About us
Pay and enhancements:
- 37 hours per week, plus enhancements (up to £4,000 per year).
- Start rate is £14.36 per hour, rising to £15.31 per hour.
- Overnight rate is £18.53 per hour, rising to £19.76 per hour.
- Saturday rate is £20.85 per hour, rising to £22.23 per hour.
- Sunday and bank holiday rate is £27.80 per hour, rising to £29.64 per hour
We work on a 3 shift per 24 hours basis (AM/PM/Nights or Sleep Ins) and our homes are open up to 365 days a year.
07.00am to 14.45,14.30 to 22.00, Sleeps from 22.00 to 7.00am
We are currently in consultation regarding the rotas, so the rota patterns are subject to change.
If you are successful at interview and decide to join ourservice, it is important to remember that we are more than just a job.
In our roles we have the privilege of supporting children with complex needs, and with this comes huge celebration but also at times a considerable challenge. To become a successful member of our service we ask that people are resilient, reflective and understand that sometimes the responsibilities in the role can be challenging.
Very often our busiest times are during school holidays therefore we ask that staff do not take more than 2 weeks annual leave during this time, we also have strict number on how many staff can have time off at any one time.
It is important to understand that you will need to work shift patterns, this will include late nights, early mornings and staying overnight to support the needs of individual children.
Job responsibilities
For all relevant information please refer to the job description and person specification documents attached.
Person Specification
Experience
- Experience of working with young people with complex needs.
- Familiar with person centred planning.
- Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.
Qualifications
- Numeracy and literacy skills to GCSE level.
- First Aid Certificate.
- Short courses that are relevant to the role i.e. First Aid, Food Hygiene, trauma led practice.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
£27,709 to £29,542 a yearplus enhancements up to £4,000 per annum
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Residential Support Worker - Children's Homes in Exeter employer: Devon County Council
Devon County Council is an excellent employer for those looking to kickstart their teaching career in North Devon. With a strong commitment to employee development, the role of Cover Supervisor offers valuable training opportunities and the chance to make a significant impact on students' lives in a supportive and engaging work culture. Enjoy the benefits of working in a community-focused environment that values education and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker - Children's Homes in Exeter
✨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 Devon County Council.
✨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 Devon County Council!
✨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 Devon County Council, 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 Devon County Council 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 Support Worker - Children's Homes in Exeter
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 Devon County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Devon County Council! 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 Devon County Council
✨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.
