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- Tasks: Support young people in a residential setting, guiding them through daily activities and challenges.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire County Council's dedicated team making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, sleep-in allowances, and opportunities for overtime.
- Why this job: Be a mentor and role model, helping young people thrive in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in residential care and a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare required.
- Other info: Flexible shift patterns with excellent career development opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 38220 - 41771 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Senior Residential Childcare Workers role at Hertfordshire County Council. Starting Salary: £38,220 progressing to £41,771 per annum + 6% market enhancement. Sleep in allowances: £40 per night. Opportunities to work additional hours and overtime across the Service. Hours: 37 hours per week. Contract Type: Permanent.
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 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
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. 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.
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’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.
- Lead and manage shifts.
- 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. This job role is within the Health and Social Care, level job profile. Please locate this via: Job profiles – Health and Social Care.
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. It’s an excellent time to join our residential service as we have a strong therapeutic foundation and are looking to enhance our service with a core and committed staff group.
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Sabika Sabeen (Sabika.Sabeen@hertfordshire.gov.uk – 07515 663033) for an informal discussion about the role.
Benefits of working for us
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert/job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Additional information
- Sponsorship: 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.
- Disability Confident: We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer 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.
- Driving Required: 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.
Senior Residential Childcare Workers in Stevenage 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 in Stevenage
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the childcare sector, attend local events, and join online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to residential childcare. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or family to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for working with young people! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've positively impacted children's lives. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our updates for any new roles that pop up in the residential childcare sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Residential Childcare Workers in Stevenage
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is up to date and tailored to the Senior Residential Childcare Worker role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially any work with children in a residential setting, and don’t forget to mention your Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare!
Showcase Your Skills: In your application, include specific examples that demonstrate how you've met the job requirements. Whether it’s managing shifts or supporting young people, we want to see how your skills align with what we’re looking for.
Craft a Compelling Covering Paragraph: Use the short covering paragraph to give us a snapshot of who you are. Share your passion for working with children and any unique experiences that make you a great fit for our team at Hertfordshire County Council.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire County Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re familiar with the role of a Senior Residential Childcare Worker. Brush up on your knowledge about child development, trauma-informed care, and the specific needs of the young people you'll be working with. This will show that you're not just interested in the job, but that you understand the complexities involved.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in residential childcare. Think of specific examples where you've successfully managed challenging behaviours or supported young people through difficult times. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since teamwork is crucial in this role, be ready to talk about how you’ve collaborated with others in past positions. Highlight any leadership experiences, especially if you've trained or supervised staff. This will illustrate your ability to work well within a team and lead by example.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the training opportunities available, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it’s the right fit for you.