At a Glance
- Tasks: Help create a clean and welcoming environment for children in a residential home.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a leading local authority committed to community welfare.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, health benefits, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on young lives while starting your career in social care.
- Qualifications: GCSE level education and a friendly, empathetic attitude are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25959 - 25959 £ per year.
Permanent, Part Time £25,959 per annum (full time equivalent) Location: Basildon Working Style: Fixed-base worker
Join our brand-new children’s homes to help shape and empower brighter futures for our young people. Are you looking to work in a brand-new children’s home that makes a positive, lasting difference to children’s lives? Are you compassionate, empathetic and resilient? If so, this opportunity could be perfect for you to start your career within a Social Care setting!
We are currently recruiting for a part-time Domestic Assistant for our new Children's Residential Home in Basildon. This is a part-time role working 18.5 hours per week. The pro rata salary will be £12,980 per annum. The working pattern can be discussed at interview stage.
Why work with us?
- 26 days annual leave (full time equivalent) + bank holidays + option to buy more
- Generous Local Government Pension Scheme
- Essex Rewards – discounts at hundreds of retailers
- Lifeworks Health & Wellbeing Platform
- Up to 2 paid volunteering days (individual) + 2 team volunteering days annually
- Ongoing learning and development to support your career journey
The Opportunity
Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting the development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.
The Domestic Assistant contributes to the maintenance of laundry and kitchens within residential homes or family centres to ensure cleanliness and high standards of food hygiene for young people. Utilising skills and experience in effective laundry management to maintain cleanliness in individual and family rooms, together with some kitchen experience will be an important element in undertaking this role.
Accountabilities
- Responsibility for ensuring all laundry duties within residential homes is undertaken efficiently and in a timely way.
- Contributes to kitchen efficiency by utilising equipment to ensure cleanliness of kitchen tools, crockery and pans are maintained to a high standard on a regular basis.
- Ensures family or visiting rooms remain tidy and clean throughout shifts, to ensure environment is welcoming to both residents and visitors.
- Undertakes kitchen and dining room duties which may incorporate basic food preparation to ensure hygiene and cleanliness maintained throughout residential homes or family centres.
- Undertakes laundry of items in residential homes to ensure standards of cleanliness are maintained.
- Contributes to cleaning and laundry duties to ensure they are delivered to a high quality.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Educated to RQF level 2 (GCSE) or equivalent by experience.
- Evidence of Health and Safety experience and any relevant qualifications and evidence of training incorporating moving and handling of objects.
- Knowledge and experience of basic food hygiene.
- High standards of cleanliness.
- Understanding of working in a setting for young people who are receiving a period of residential care.
- Ability and experience of working on own initiative and a flexible attitude.
- Friendly demeanour, empathetic towards others.
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
Why Essex?
As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs. At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Domestic Assistant - Takely End Children's Residential Home in Basildon employer: Essex County Council
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and flexible work environment for Social Workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of young people with disabilities. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, innovative practices, and professional development, our team enjoys a nine-day working fortnight and numerous opportunities for growth within a dynamic local authority. Join us in Chelmsford, where your contributions will be valued, and together we can empower the next generation to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Domestic Assistant - Takely End Children's Residential Home in Basildon
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Essex County Council, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Essex County Council. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Essex County Council's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Domestic Assistant - Takely End Children's Residential Home in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Essex County Council. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Essex County Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Essex County Council.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Domestic Assistant - Takely End Children's Residential Home at Essex County Council.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Essex County Council that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Domestic Assistant - Takely End Children's Residential Home role.
