At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young boys in daily routines, activities, and personal development.
- Company: Join North Lakes Children's Services, a trusted provider of care and education for young people.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible shifts, sleep-in allowances, up to 6 weeks holiday, and comprehensive training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while working in a supportive and fun environment.
- Qualifications: Must be willing to work towards a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent.
- Other info: Full driving licence required; DBS check covered by the company.
The predicted salary is between 26100 - 29357 £ per year.
Location: Wigton
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Specific Hours: 42 hours per week - shift pattern
Salary:
- Unqualified: A base salary of £26,100.12 per annum with the potential to earn up to £29,357.40 with sleep in shifts
- Qualified: A base salary of £27,037.92 per annum with the potential to earn up to £30,295.20 with sleep in shifts (Qualified Care Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare)
North Lakes Children's Services is a well-established local provider of residential care and education for boys aged 6-18. We improve the resilience, self-esteem and abilities of all the young people we work with.
As a Residential Support Worker, there is a high expectation placed on you to be "strong, committed and passionate" about your role. The young people are at the centre of everything we do - both for and with them. You are a role model, a listening ear, a warm and approachable person and potentially someone who could inspire and make a significant impact on a young person's life. You need to promote, support and facilitate the creation of "happy memories" and have fun with them to do so.
We are currently seeking permanent Support Workers to join our team who have a warm and approachable manner, and feel they can make a significant impact on a young person's life in how they recover from early life experiences.
Main Duties:
In each home, we have detailed shift planners/diaries/handover documents that will outline the specific daily duties and tasks that you will be required to complete, these will be specific to whether it is term-time (school days) or during holiday periods as some of the tasks will differ. The following is a summary of some of your duties during term-time:
- Supporting all of the boys' daily routines, including getting them up, promoting personal hygiene routines, meals, either school runs or activities.
- Supporting room cleans/developing of life skills/independence, promoting socialisation and supporting bed-time routines.
- Attending medical/other appointments.
- Supporting the plans on the activity planners.
- Completion of day sheets for the boys and working with them on their targets.
- Completing handover documents/tasks.
- Completion of all daily paperwork.
- Completing budgeting requirements.
- Completion of daily room checks and daily housecleaning tasks.
- Complete any food/other shopping needs, including meal preparation and kitchen hygiene/laundry duties.
- Completion of any specific checks such as COSHH, Fire Checks/Car checks.
- Liaising and building appropriate relationships with the families, working to find out about special dates for boys and ensuring these are noted/marked, sorting and planning family time contacts.
As well as completing the daily tasks, your role will also include being a Keyworker. This should be a privileged role for you with our boys, try to think out of the box and do that little bit extra to help create special occasions and opportunities for them, build strong bonds, show and display warmth, empathy and genuine care.
All Applicants must have:
- Flexibility in your availability as the role will involve sleep-in nights and shift work of 14 hours - typically 2 full days on, 2 days off. Rotating start times of 08:00, 12:00, 14:00.
- Understanding of the issues that face young people in care.
- Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent - or be willing to work towards a required qualification.
- Excellent communication and listening skills.
- Willingness to learn.
- Able to work well as part of a small team.
- Willingness to undertake a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position. Your DBS check shall be paid for by ourselves.
- Experience with Emotional Behavioural Disorder, Social/Residential Work or Youth Work would be advantageous.
- Full, clean UK driving licence and able to cover at other Residential Homes as needed.
This is a wonderful opportunity to join an established Children's service who will offer you:
- A sleep-in allowance of £62.64 per night - potential extra earning of up to £3257.28.
- Up to 6 weeks' holiday per year.
- A rota pattern of 2 days on, 2 days off, with staggered start times ranging from 8am, 12noon or 2pm (i.e. 8am-10pm, 12pm-10pm or 2pm-10pm).
- All meals on duty are provided.
- Company pension.
- Access to our Exchange Employee Discount Scheme.
- Access to wellbeing programmes via our Exchange Provision.
- Comprehensive training programme, followed by ongoing CPD Programme.
- Access to qualifications (Including Diploma 3/Diploma 5).
- Promotion opportunities.
- Monthly clinical and professional supervisions, access to therapeutic support.
North Lakes Children's Services is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Residential Child Care Worker employer: North Lakes Children's Services
Contact Detail:
North Lakes Children's Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs and challenges faced by young people in care. Understanding their backgrounds and emotional needs will help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have in youth work or social care during your conversations with us. Sharing real-life examples of how you've supported young people can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your flexibility and willingness to work varied shifts, including sleep-in nights. Being open about your availability can make you a more attractive candidate for our team.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare thoughtful questions about our organisation and the role during your interview. This shows your genuine interest in joining North Lakes Children’s Services and your eagerness to contribute positively to the lives of the boys.
We think you need these skills to ace Residential Child Care Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and expectations of a Residential Child Care Worker. Familiarise yourself with the specific duties mentioned in the job description, such as supporting daily routines and being a role model for the young people.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job requirements. Emphasise any previous work with children or in social care, and showcase your communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for working with young people and your understanding of their needs. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can make a positive impact on their lives.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A well-presented application shows attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at North Lakes Children's Services
✨Show Your Passion
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with young people. Share personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.
✨Understand the Role
Familiarise yourself with the specific duties and responsibilities of a Residential Child Care Worker. Be prepared to discuss how you would handle daily routines, support emotional needs, and promote life skills.
✨Demonstrate Empathy and Communication Skills
During the interview, showcase your excellent communication and listening skills. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with young people or resolved conflicts in the past.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and approach to challenging situations. Think about how you would respond to various scenarios involving the boys in care and be ready to articulate your thought process.