At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in a nurturing environment, helping them develop life skills and confidence.
- Company: Fair Ways, a leading children's services charity dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, health benefits, flexible work hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team and enjoy exciting perks like staff lotteries and well-being initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while working remotely and enjoying a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and willingness to pursue a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 32000 £ per year.
Who are Fair Ways and what do we stand for? At Fair Ways we believe in making a difference through passionate care, support and education. Together we aim to build an institution that makes a difference to society and leaves a legacy greater than ourselves and our contributions. Our values sit at the heart of everything we do; we measure our wealth by the difference we make, rather than the profit we make. Fair Ways is a leading children’s services charity based in the Solent, delivering Fostering, Education, Residential and Family services and cares for over 400 children, families, young people and vulnerable adults each year.
Where and when do we need you? We are recruiting for a number of remote residential support workers to work across our residential children’s homes on the South Coast. Our homes provide a structured, homely, and nurturing environment for children who benefit from clear boundaries and structure, and we believe this is the starting point to enable the children to achieve their potential supporting our overall aim of a transition into long term foster care. These positions focus on being part of a team supporting the development of independent life skills within a therapeutic caring environment. We believe in the possibility of healing from the effects of adverse childhood experiences and developmental trauma. Our aim is to ignite such healing through building and sustaining meaningful, trusting, and reciprocal relationships.
As a remote residential support worker, you will be involved in exciting and rewarding things like:
- Building respectful impactful relationships: Proactively maintaining safe and respectful relationships with children through effective support, guidance and care ensuring the maintenance of safe professional boundaries in line with best practice.
- Advocating for children in care and ensuring they have a voice: Engaging in key work responsibilities for nominated children within the home, providing the children in our care with a consistent adult presence and an identified member of the team linked to their specific support plans.
- Taking an active role in play, activities and confidence building: Being actively involved in the planning and execution of a range of enriching opportunities for the children through different mediums such as crafts, outdoor activities, play and learning to provide an enjoyable, varied and engaged home environment.
- Supporting positive lifestyle choices: Demonstrating the therapeutic importance of maintaining a clean, tidy and homely environment through effective role modelling and education, promoting high standards of physical care, hygiene and safety and demonstrating positive and healthy choices to support children to develop and thrive.
- Being a Trauma Informed professional: Using our industry recognised RiiSE training to deliver trauma informed responses through the individualised use of therapeutic and, where appropriate, physical intervention to ensure our children are supported appropriately during times of crisis.
- Keeping vulnerable children and young people Safe: Managing any child protection issues that may occur through effective reporting in line with the policies and procedures of the residential home in partnership with the senior leadership team and any relevant external agency to keep children safe from harm for the duration of their placement with Fair Ways.
This role is offered on a full time/permanent basis, working as part of a rolling rota (Monday – Sunday) following a 2 on/4 off shift pattern to include 1 sleep for every other block worked. Days start at around 07:00 and finish at around 22:30 (depending on the home you work in) and during this time you will have the opportunity to have all meals provided as the nature of your role will include mealtimes with the children and other staff. For these roles, you will be paid your travel to and from the home you are based at, along with payment for your average travel time. All candidates must have a full driving license and have access to the use of a car. Successful candidates will be required to provide an enhanced Disclosure (DBS). This disclosure cost will be met by Fair Ways. Fair Ways are unable to provide VISA sponsorship for this role and all applicants will need to be able to provide evidence of right to work in the UK.
You and your specialisms Roles within our frontline services help achieve our mission of making a difference through passionate care, support, and education. To support this, you will be required to have, or be working towards a minimum of the following qualification and experience levels:
- To hold or be happy to work towards a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care or equivalent.
- Demonstrable experience in working with children and/or young people will be required.
Let us look after you! At Fair Ways, we care about your well-being, here is what we currently offer to our dedicated team:
- Exciting Opportunities: Participate in free staff lotteries with amazing prizes, such as £1000 holiday vouchers, weekends away, luxury hampers, £1000 fostering referral scheme and vouchers. Experience a workplace that celebrates your contributions.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy a Holiday Accrual Scheme, an extra day of annual leave as a ‘wellbeing day’ and the option to purchase additional holidays (up to 5 days). We value your time and offer flexibility to accommodate your existing commitments.
- Health and Support: Benefit from Simply Health, our health cash plan, and access to our Employee Assistance Scheme, providing emergency financial assistance and 24/7 counselling services. Access your salary when you need it with Early Pay – The ability to withdraw an amount of your salary early each month to assist with any unforeseen circumstances.
- Growth and Development: Unlock your potential with our Education Grant, offering funding for accreditation up to master's level. Engage in leadership courses to enhance your skills and progress in your career.
- Wellbeing Matters: Experience team-building days, summer festivals, and well-being initiatives, promoting a positive work environment. Take advantage of discounted gym memberships and a cycle-to-work scheme to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- Recognition and Rewards: Be appreciated for your dedication through annual Staff Awards and Long Service Awards. Build a secure future with our pension scheme and gain eligibility for a Blue Light Card.
- Supportive Community: Be part of our diverse workforce that embraces all communities. We value your unique perspective and encourage you to contribute to our inclusive and vibrant culture.
*Benefits may differ dependant on contract type. Become a part of our community – We can’t wait to meet you!
Children's Residential Support Worker (Remote candidates only) in Southampton employer: Fair Ways
Fair Ways is an exceptional employer located in Southampton, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on families' lives. With a strong focus on employee well-being, we offer comprehensive benefits including holiday accrual and health plans, alongside ample opportunities for personal development in a supportive work culture. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and fosters growth while you help families navigate their challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Residential Support Worker (Remote candidates only) in Southampton
✨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 Fair Ways.
✨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 Fair Ways!
✨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 Fair Ways, 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 Fair Ways 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 Children's Residential Support Worker (Remote candidates only) in Southampton
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 Fair Ways:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Fair Ways! 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 Fair Ways
✨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.
