Residential Child Care Worker in North East

Children's Residential Care Worker in Durham and Stockton – £28,864 – £31,224 + sleep in – Full time - Permanent. A full, valid UK driver's licence is required. Must be happy to work across two homes if needed, one in Elm Tree in Stockton and one in Bowburn in Durham (about 25 minutes apart) – it will not be regular.

Benefits:

• Permanent, Full time role.
• Employer pension contributions.
• Subsidised training and development opportunities.
• Excellent career progression opportunities.
• Comprehensive induction programme.
• 28 days annual leave + Bank Holidays (Paid).

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide emotional support for young people aged 8 to 16.
• Support young people with daily routines and planned activities.
• Contribute to a collaborative care team of 2–3 staff per child.
• Assist with teaching and supporting education and extracurricular activities.
• Maintain accurate records and provide written reports for planning meetings.
• Ensure safeguarding and safety of all children and young people, following relevant legislation.
• Work flexible shift patterns, including early morning, late evening, sleep-in, weekends and bank holidays.
• Assist with practical matters related to childcare (cooking, cleaning, general maintenance).
• Drive company vehicles when required.

Duties and Responsibilities (Detailed):

• Create a caring, supportive, and nurturing environment.
• Establish positive relationships and provide unconditional and positive regard.
• Help young people gain self-control by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding acceptable, pro-social conduct.
• Ensure each young person’s care plan is followed, amended as required.
• Act as key worker or co-worker, keeping care plans up to date.
• Offer advice, assistance and support for past and present difficulties.
• Provide emotional support during difficulty or stress.
• Encourage young people to achieve their goals and optimise potential.
• Facilitate active involvement of young people in decision-making about their lives.
• Advocate at meetings where the young person is the subject of discussion.
• Act as a positive role model and provide advice, guidance and assistance as appropriate.
• Ensure highest levels of safeguarding.
• Collaborate with colleagues to achieve the home's aims and objectives.
• Attend team/staff meetings, contributing positively.
• Actively contribute to the development of the team.
• Provide informal practical and emotional support to colleagues.
• Attend and contribute to regular supervision sessions.
• Monitor colleague conduct, refer concerns (Whistleblowing).
• Adhere to all policies and procedures.

General Responsibilities:

• Attend young people’s meetings and contribute.
• Drive company vehicles.
• Receive training appropriate to the role and maintain an up-to-date training profile.
• Maintain accurate financial records appropriate to the duties of the post.
• Maintain health, safety and welfare of self and colleagues in accordance with organisational Health and Safety policies.

Special Conditions:

• Varying shifts, including early morning, late evening, sleep-in and on-call rota system.
• Work weekends and Bank Holidays when required.
• May be requested to change rota to cover contingencies.
• Hold a clear Criminal Records Bureau check at all times; notify line manager immediately of any change.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Experience working directly with children (not necessarily in a residential setting).
• Strong observational, communication, problem-solving and creative thinking skills.
• Excellent emotional intelligence, resilience and ability to react calmly in challenging situations.
• Patient, caring, compassionate approach to care.
• Highly responsible and accountable for safeguarding children and young people.
• Valid UK DBS check and satisfactory references required.
• Evidence of qualifications and verification of right to work in the UK.

Equal Opportunities Statement:

All young people are equally entitled to have their needs met in a fair and balanced way. All staff are responsible for promoting equal opportunities for all and for challenging any behaviour or practice which discriminates against any young person or colleague on the grounds of race, religion, disability, age, gender, sexual orientation or any other perceived difference.