Residential Childcare Practitioner Level 1

Job Description

Young people are at the heart of our practice at Norfolk County Council. They have established key principles for their ideal worker to help them flourish. Please ensure you read these requirements carefully and apply only if you can fully commit to them.

At Norfolk County Council our commitment to providing proven, quality, holistic residential care for children and young people aged 0-17 aims to achieve excellent outcomes and lasting results. We are passionate about the provision of creative and ambitious opportunities for our young people. Our services are well regarded, and we are proud of our reputation of ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people.

Marshfields is a short break home which provides emergency and time limited specialist care for young people of either gender aged between 5-18 years with complex needs, where either family, foster care, or other community-based placements are not possible or desirable at the time.

We need highly motivated, resilient, and positive team members with humour, tenacity and empathy to help children and young people to flourish and reach their full potential. We are seeking experienced individuals who are able to lead shifts and to support and guide junior staff. We value your life experiences, energy, personal strength and positive mental attitude.

Our team work across the whole week (including weekends and bank holidays) and can include unsociable hours, night work, sleep ins. This post is predominately at nights however it does also involve day work to ensure opportunities for training, development and supervision.

Our approach to practice within Norfolk is underpinned by Children’s Services practice vision ‘Vital Signs for Children’. This enables us to work as a whole system and with a whole family approach to assessment and intervention. Using a relationship-based approach we work to build consistent and trusted relationships with children and families. We are strengths oriented in our practice, identifying and building on the strengths of families to create positive change. Using outcome-focused practice we are committed to achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Following a thorough induction and training programme, your duties will include:

• Supporting and providing meaningful day to day activities to children and young people to develop their emotional and social needs by building positive relationships.
• Developing personal and practical skills to enhance young people’s independence skills.
• Ensuring that children’s and young people diverse communication needs are met ascertaining their views and wishes and these are acted upon where appropriate
• Reporting and recording key aspects of care and developing your professional skills as part of on-going development.
• Managing complex behaviours that can be challenging.
• Depending on the needs of the child/young person this may require you to provide personal intimate care and/or nursing care support to holistically support children and young people.
• Work in collaboration and also directly with families and other professionals to ensure best outcomes for children and young people.
• Hold or be willing to work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Child Care (paid for).

In Return We Will Offer You

• A supportive team who cares about your wellbeing and professional development
• We offer a generous annual leave entitlement – plus the opportunity to purchase up to two weeks of additional annual leave through our salary sacrifice scheme
• We offer maternity, paternity and adoption pay and time off to support you as your family grows. There is an independently run nursery within the Norfolk County Council grounds which offers priority spaces to our employees
• We offer support if you care for relatives or friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill
• We are committed to promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of our social workers. We provide access to services that support your health and wellbeing, such as confidential counselling and advice, fast-track physiotherapy and NHS Health Checks for employees over 40
• NCC Pension scheme
• Meals whilst working on shift
• Cycle to work scheme

Norfolk County Council is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.