At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in their daily lives and promote independence through engaging activities.
- Company: Join a passionate team at Dwelling Places Homes, dedicated to transforming young lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, career development, health insurance, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including evenings and weekends, with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while growing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a relevant qualification are essential; empathy and communication skills are key.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Dwelling Places Homes is a Children’s Home, guided by our values and the quality of our service. We provide a unique combination of personalised care and support for children and young people. We are looking for energetic, proactive, motivated, passionate, reliable and friendly individuals to join our growing team to deliver and support our children and young people in a home in Southeast London.
We value our employees, and we are committed to their Continued Professional Development. We are currently looking to recruit experienced residential staff for a new 3 bedded Children’s Home in Lewisham Borough that is due to open around June 2026.
As residential staff you will promote independence, encourage and support service users in their day-to-day lives, enabling them to live more fulfilling lives, whilst helping provide high-quality person-centred care. This could include a range of tasks and activities such as personal care, domestic tasks and general activities that allow the individual to live their lives in the way they choose.
About us: Dwelling Places Homes LTD provides personalised care, support and housing solutions for children and young people. We focus on holistic care, emotional wellbeing, safeguarding, education, independence, personal growth and positive life outcomes. Our approach is person-centred, trauma-informed and rooted in strong relationships. We work closely with local authorities, schools, families, communities and partner agencies to ensure young people receive consistent, joined-up support.
As a growing organisation, we are looking for staff who want to grow with us. We value reflection, integrity, inclusion, respect, professional curiosity and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:- Providing emotional and social support: Building meaningful relationships with the children and encouraging their interaction with peers and adults within the community.
- Enhancing self-esteem and respect: Helping each young person in your care develop a positive self-image and ensuring they feel respected and valued.
- Promoting positive life choices and independence: Supporting the children in making positive decisions and achieving levels of independence appropriate to their age and abilities.
- Accurate and detailed recording: Maintaining meticulous records of events, observations, progress, child protection matters, and health and safety checks.
- Care planning and assessment: Collaborating with the manager and other professionals to create, implement, and review individual care plans based on the children's needs.
- Daily living support: Assisting the children with their daily living needs in accordance with their care plans.
- Domestic duties: Conducting household tasks and involving the children when appropriate, including planning, shopping, and preparing meals to ensure a varied and balanced diet.
- To act as a role model and guide for young people setting principles and examples.
- To make use of regular professional supervision.
- To report to a line manager or other appropriate person, malpractice or evidence which may suggest it.
- To have the right mix of empathy, a can-do attitude, respond well to criticism and great communications skills.
- Full Enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this role, the cost of which will be incurred by Dwelling Places Homes.
- Minimum of 1 years' experience working with children and/or young people in a residential childcare/Teaching setting.
- NVQ/QCF Level 3 (or equivalent) in Children and Young People Workforce or equivalent qualification or in progress.
- Computer literate.
- Passionate about delivering a high-quality service that promotes the independence, choice and dignity of children.
- Good knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards.
- A thorough understanding and knowledge of relevant legislation and Ofsted regulation.
- Previous experience as a keyworker.
- Formal Qualification in Teaching/Teaching Assistant/Facilitation.
- Interest/experience in working with SEND children and young people.
- Ability to lone work with individual young people.
- Willing to work evenings and weekends on a rota basis.
- Willing to work nights on a rota basis.
- Willing to work additional hours to cover sickness and holidays and to work in other homes within our portfolio.
- Willing to work Bank Holidays & Christmas Holidays.
- Casual dress.
- Company events.
- On-site parking.
- £50 birthday voucher.
- Pension scheme.
- Sick and Maternity Pay Benefits.
- Career Development Scheme.
- £50 referral bonus.
- Health Insurance.
- Entertainment benefits.
- Exclusive discounts (blue light card).
Safer recruitment: Dwelling Places Homes LTD is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including references, right to work checks and an Enhanced DBS disclosure.
If you are passionate about working with children and serious about making a difference in the lives of young people, we would love to hear from you. Join Dwelling Places Homes LTD and help us transform lives and improve futures, relentlessly.
Residential Children's Home Staff - Support Worker in London employer: Dwelling Places Homes
Dwelling Places Homes LTD is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing personalised care and support for children and young people in South East London. Our vibrant work culture fosters professional growth through continuous development opportunities, while our commitment to inclusivity and respect ensures that every team member feels valued. Join us in making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people, all while enjoying competitive benefits and a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Children's Home Staff - Support Worker in London
✨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 Dwelling Places Homes.
✨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 Dwelling Places Homes!
✨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 Dwelling Places Homes, 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 Dwelling Places Homes 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 Children's Home Staff - Support Worker in London
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 Dwelling Places Homes:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Dwelling Places Homes! 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 Dwelling Places Homes
✨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.
