At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people through outdoor activities and daily routines in a residential setting.
- Company: Join Keys Group, a leader in care and support for children and families.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, 5.6 weeks annual leave, and a Blue Light card for discounts.
- Other info: Live-in role with accommodation provided; excellent career development opportunities available.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while enjoying adventure and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Must be over 21 with a full UK driving licence; experience in care is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 30000 £ per year.
Number of Positions: 3
Contract Type: Full Time
Working Hours: 39 hours per week
Location: Bishops Castle
Job Category: Care and Support
Region: Shropshire
Business Area: Activity & Intervention
JOB ROLE: Children's Residential Activity Worker
LOCATION: Please note, you are required to hold a Full UK Driving License as this role is based in Bishops Castle (SY9)
SHIFT PATTERNS: 39 hours per week – This rota involves working 4 consecutive days followed by 8 days off
REQUIREMENTS: Full UK Driving Licence - essential
About Keys Group Activity & Intervention: This position requires you to reside at our activities centre overnight during your working days to provide consistent support to the children. Accommodation and meals will be provided to you throughout your stay. At Keys Group, you'll work in an activity-based residential home supporting young people aged 8-18 facing social, emotional, and mental health challenges. Our 12-week Activity and Intervention program provides a fresh start, helping them build confidence through positive routines and outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking. While your primary role is care worker, a strong focus on adventure and staying active is key to the role.
Key Responsibilities and Requirements:
- Age & Driving License: Must be over 21 and hold a full UK driver’s license.
- Commitment: Ability to work 39 hours per week, adhering to shift pattern, including sleep‑ins.
- Eligibility to Work in the UK: Must have the right to work in the UK.
- Lead Outdoor Activities: Plan and deliver adventurous activities that promote confidence, resilience, and personal growth in young people through structured activities and day-to-day care routines.
- Provide Direct Support: Build strong, positive relationships with young people, supporting their daily routines and emotional development.
- Manage Documentation: Supervise the accurate and timely completion of all children’s documentation, ensuring compliance and thoroughness.
- Monitor Financial Records: Ensure accurate recording and submission of financial expenditure at the end of each shift.
- Safeguarding & Risk Management: Uphold safeguarding and health & safety standards, ensuring strict compliance with risk assessments and implement necessary actions to mitigate any identified risks.
- Supervise & Support Staff Development: Lead and guide staff to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality care, while providing formal supervision and mentorship to promote their professional growth and development.
- Uphold Quality Standards: Maintain exceptional care practices in line with Ofsted quality standards.
- Oversee Shift Operations & Care Delivery: Take responsibility for the smooth running of each shift, ensuring care objectives are met effectively, safeguarding concerns are promptly reported, and high standards of support are maintained throughout.
- Facilitate Effective Handover: Conduct thorough shift handovers and debriefs, ensuring smooth transitions and clear communication with the team.
Annual Leave: Enjoy 5.6 weeks of annual leave inclusive of 8 public holidays.
DBS Check Paid: Your Enhanced DBS check is fully covered by Keys Group, along with any required renewals.
Qualifications & Career Development: Unlock your potential with our support! We offer a variety of QCF qualifications, providing opportunities for professional growth and opening doors to further career advancement.
Fair & Competitive Pay: At Keys Group, we pride ourselves on fair and competitive pay. As a Real Living Wage Employer, we ensure fair pay for all, with enhanced pay scales that transparently recognise your qualifications and experience.
Blue Light Card: Available via a Blue Light card that you will have access to as a Health and Social Care Employee.
Referral Bonus: Refer talented individuals to Keys Group and split a £500 bonus when they successfully join and complete their probation.
Care First: We care about your well‑being and that's why we're pleased to offer our employees an Employee Assistance Program.
Circle: Your hub for wellbeing, engagement and discounts.
NEST Pension Scheme: Save for your retirement with a matched contribution of up to 3% from Keys Group.
Long Service Awards: It's our way of saying a heartfelt thank you for everything you do.
Cycle to Work Scheme: You could save up to 42% on a brand‑new bike and accessories.
Full Induction & Introductory Programme: Begin your journey with a paid‑for comprehensive onboarding to set you up for success.
About Keys Group: Keys Group supports over 2,500 individuals across England and Wales through its three divisions: Accomplish, providing specialist residential, supported living, and accommodation for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, and brain injuries; Keys, offering education and care for children and families through schools, children’s homes, supported accommodation, and family assessment centres; and Peak, delivering indoor and outdoor adventure activities across four UK centres, including bespoke education programs and confidence‑building activities like bushcraft, climbing, and canoeing.
Keys Group is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, committing to welcoming service personnel, veterans, and military families. We offer veteran‑friendly policies, a Veterans Peer Support Network, and Military Awareness support for our colleagues. As part of this commitment, we guarantee an interview for current and former service personnel who meet the role criteria.
Residential Support Worker with Outdoor Activities in Bishop's Castle employer: Keys Children
At Keys Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in the picturesque setting of Bishops Castle. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training programmes and career advancement opportunities, alongside competitive pay and generous benefits such as accommodation, meals, and a focus on well-being. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people while enjoying a fulfilling career that combines adventure with care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker with Outdoor Activities in Bishop's Castle
✨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 Keys Children.
✨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 Keys Children!
✨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 Keys Children, 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 Keys Children 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 Support Worker with Outdoor Activities in Bishop's Castle
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 Keys Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Keys Children! 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 Keys Children
✨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.
