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- Tasks: Lead and support young people in a residential care setting, ensuring their needs are met.
- Company: Hertfordshire County Council, dedicated to providing outstanding care for children.
- Benefits: Flexible shifts, work-life balance, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be a mentor and role model, helping young people thrive and grow.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential care and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional development.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
About the team
Hertfordshire County Council has its own residential service for children, consisting of 7 homes, including 2 very specialist homes, 1 disability home, and the rest mainstream multi-bedded homes. All homes currently hold Ofsted ratings of good or outstanding. As a senior, you form part of the leadership of the home and ensure the needs of the home and young people are met and maintained at the highest possible level. Each home is made up of a Registered Manager, Deputy, Senior Residential Childcare Workers, Residential Childcare Workers, cleaners, and home administrators. As a Senior within the residential service, there will be times you are asked to support other homes.
About the role
Below are some of the things you could say about your role on a day-to-day basis working in our Residential Care homes:
- "It's the best job in the World"
- "The work-life balance is brilliant"
- "I am at home more than I am at work - both families benefit"
- "'Thanks for running me a bath' - is what made me smile today - win/win"
If you really want to make a difference to a young person's life, then read on. It is hard to put a job title on a role where you are a mentor, teacher, coach, deliverer of parental guidance, role model, therapist, councillor, and family liaison, often all in the same day. Daily, you will be liaising with a host of individuals and services, from our young person's family to schools and education authorities, social workers, police, and a whole range of other internal and external contacts.
The essence of the role is to support, almost as an extension of the family, one young person to help them develop into adulthood as effectively as possible, establishing routine, boundaries, and consistency in a calm, non-judgemental manner. You will work with children and young people who display challenging behaviour due to early life trauma. No two days are the same in our Residential Service - on your working days, you could be taking your young person horse riding, painting, for a drive, for a walk, out shopping, or attending virtual schools. You will support children to achieve and grow through positive experiences.
Our commitment to young people in our care is to be there around the clock for them. As part of your role, you will complete relevant paperwork and work within relevant legislation. You will be part of a team working on a shift/rota basis; you will work together with the rest of the team and your senior to organise this in advance. Due to the nature of our care, there may be occasions where you need to swap shifts, and working together with your team we can achieve this flexibility.
As a Senior Residential Childcare Worker, you would need to do the following:
- Shift work including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in duties.
- Lead and manage shifts.
- Plan weekly activities for the young people.
- Ensure the home is working to the regulations.
- Line manage and supervise Residential Childcare Workers (RCWs).
- Train and develop RCWs.
- Report writing.
- Undertake specialist training for the role.
- Oversee the children's files, ensuring all documentation is up to date and relevant.
- Manage incidents.
- Maintain the safety of the young people, staff, and home.
- Manage and report safeguarding concerns in line with policy and procedure.
About you
Essential:
- Minimum 9-12 months experience of working in a residential children's home.
- Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent.
- Hold a full driving licence and business insurance.
- Willingness to undertake shift work.
Desirable:
- Staff supervision.
- Attending/leading meetings with key stakeholders.
- Working with families.
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
Senior Residential Childcare Workers. Job in Hertfordshire Education & Training Jobs in London employer: Hertfordshire County Council
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Residential Childcare Workers. Job in Hertfordshire Education & Training Jobs in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees in similar roles. They can give you the inside scoop on what it's really like and might even put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to residential childcare. Think about your experiences and how they align with the role. We want to hear your stories!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for making a difference! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted young people's lives. It’s all about that personal touch.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are keen to join our team directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Residential Childcare Workers. Job in Hertfordshire Education & Training Jobs in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with young people shine through. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight why you want to make a difference in their lives.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Senior Residential Childcare Worker. Highlight relevant experience, especially any leadership roles or work with challenging behaviours, to show us you're the right fit.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and structure your thoughts logically so we can easily see your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role and responsibilities of a Senior Residential Childcare Worker. Brush up on the key aspects of the job, like managing shifts, planning activities, and supporting young people. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you’re genuinely interested.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your passion for working with children shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in young people's lives. This will resonate well with the interviewers and demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging behaviours. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully managed difficult situations, and be ready to discuss how you would approach similar challenges in this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the specific needs of the homes. This shows that you’re not only interested in the position but also invested in understanding how you can contribute effectively.
