Night Residential Support Worker - Aspen Lodge in Deal

Please note that shortlisting decisions will be based on the whole application, including the ‘Reason for Application’ section. Within this section, please demonstrate how you meet the criteria within the person specification attached to the Job Description and why you would like to work with UAS children.

Kent County Council’s Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking (UAS) Children’s Service provides accommodation and support to newly arrived UAS children in Kent. The Service is developing as a centre of excellence nationally and we are seeking passionate individuals to join our service.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Service’s Reception Centre team. The Reception and Safe Care Services are Kent County Council owned, Ofsted regulated, children’s homes and supported accommodation, collectively termed Reception Centres. The Reception Centres, and the services they provide to children, are run by a diverse team of managers and workers, who are all committed to ensuring children are protected and supported to take the first steps in their journey to a more permanent home elsewhere in the UK.

This role is for Aspen Lodge, based in Deal, Dover, which is a children’s home for UAS children aged under 16-years-old, with a capacity of up to 18 children. Located in a rural setting in the village of Sholden, the centre offers views of green fields and a peaceful atmosphere. Aspen Lodge has established links with local services and organisations in the community for young people to access a variety of activities.

We are seeking experienced Residential setting managers who can support the day-to-day running of the children’s home ensuring that all UAS children begin their resettlement journey with the support they need. Children’s Home Managers need to be able to role-model good practice and organise staff to support all UAS children during their stay from practical objectives and learning, through to emotional support.

We are seeking Night Residential Support Workers who have experience of working alongside UAS children and who thrive on direct work and providing support in a residential setting. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and influence the resettlement of children in the UK who have suffered trauma and change. This role involves managing routines, setting goals for young people, time-keeping and facilitating a learning culture in the centre. This role is important for UAS children during their early stages in the UK.

If you are enthusiastic about working with children, understand the UAS children’s journey and want to help achieve the best outcomes for them – please apply.

This post will be required to work across a rolling shift pattern, including regular cover over weekends. The rota pattern is 3 shifts on, followed by 3 rest days – shifts are 9:30 pm – 8:30 am. Applicants must be 21 years of age or above, to meet Ofsted regulations.

KCC’s employment offer for this role includes:

• Full induction
• Training and development opportunities
• Basic salary of between £29,167 and £30,934
• Equivalent annual leave allowance of 29 days
• Excellent local government pension scheme
• Opportunities to develop in your career
• The opportunity to expand and develop your knowledge and skills of working with children seeking asylum

This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Service. This role is subject to holding a Full UK Driving Licence – The Council is committed to making reasonable adjustments so whilst this job requires the jobholder to drive, your application will still be considered if you are unable to drive due to a disability.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county’s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.