Residential Childcare Worker in Stevenage

Residential Childcare Worker in Stevenage

Stevenage Full-Time 22950 - 28050 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Hertfordshire County Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support and mentor young people in a residential care setting, ensuring their needs are met.
  • Company: Hertfordshire County Council, committed to providing excellent care for children.
  • Benefits: Flexible shifts, training opportunities, and a supportive team environment.
  • Other info: Join a forward-thinking team with strong career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a fulfilling career.
  • Qualifications: Experience in residential care and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare.

The predicted salary is between 22950 - 28050 £ per year.

Hertfordshire county council has its own residential service for children, this consists of 7 homes, including 2 very specialist homes, 1 disability and the rest mainstream multi bedded homes.

All homes are currently sitting on 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 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 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. "You are there when I rise, when I eat, when I play, and you are there to put me to bed at the end of my day".

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 evening weekends, bank holiday 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.
  • Undertaking specialist training for the role
  • Oversee the children files, ensuring all documentation is update 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., Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or equivalent Hold a full driving licence and business insurance.
  • Lead and manage shifts.
  • Willingness to undertake shift work.

Desirable

  • Staff supervision
  • Attending/ leading meetings with key stakeholder
  • 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.

This job role is within the Health and Social Care, level job profile.

Please locate this via: Working for Hertfordshire County council is an excellent opportunity, we are forward thinkers and diverse in the residential services that we offer.

As an employer we offer our staff the opportunity to undertake further training via our apprenticeships to further their careers in social care.

Its an excellent time to join our residential service as we have a strong therapeutic foundation and looking to enhance our service with a core and committed staff group.

Requirements

  • Minimum 9-12 month experience of working in residential children's home., You\'ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
  • English Fluency The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required).

We are changing Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings - Protection of Employment) principles.

LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation.

It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better.

To find out more, visit Disability Confident We are proud to be a and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

Safeguarding This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

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Residential Childcare Worker in Stevenage employer: Hertfordshire County Council

Hertfordshire County Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that values collaboration and professional growth. With competitive salaries, hybrid working options, and a commitment to employee development, this role in Stevenage provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in pensions governance while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.

Hertfordshire County Council

Contact Details:

Hertfordshire County Council Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Residential Childcare Worker in Stevenage

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 Hertfordshire County Council.

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 Hertfordshire County Council!

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 Hertfordshire County Council, 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 Hertfordshire County Council 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 Childcare Worker in Stevenage

Leadership Skills
Mentoring
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Report Writing
Supervision
Activity Planning

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 Hertfordshire County Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Hertfordshire County Council! 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 Hertfordshire County Council

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.