At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young boys in building life skills and confidence through daily routines and activities.
- Company: Join North Lakes Children's Services, a leader in residential care and education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, sleep-in allowances, free meals, and up to 6 weeks' holiday.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with clear promotion opportunities and comprehensive training provided.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your own skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Residential Childcare or willingness to work towards it; great communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 28893 - 32150 £ per year.
Company: North Lakes Children's Services
Location: Carlisle
Contract Type: Full-time, permanent
Specific Hours: 42 hours per week - shift pattern
Salary: A base salary of £28,893.07 per annum with the potential to earn up to £32,150.35 with sleep-in shifts. Qualified: A base salary of £29,868.38 per annum with the potential to earn up to £33,125.66 with sleep-in shifts. (Qualified Care Worker salary is based on the proven existing completion of a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare)
What we offer:
- Sleep-in allowance of £62.50 per night (up to £3,257.28 extra per year)
- Up to 6 weeks' holiday
- A rota pattern of 2 days on, 2 days off, with staggered start times ranging from 8am, 12 noon or 2pm (i.e. 8am-10pm, 12pm-10pm or 2pm-10pm)
- Free meals on duty
- Company pension
- Employee discount and wellbeing programmes
- Comprehensive training and ongoing CPD
- Funded Level 3 & 5 qualifications
- Clear promotion opportunities
- Monthly clinical and professional supervision with therapeutic support
About North Lakes: North Lakes Children's Services provides residential care and education for boys aged 6-18, helping them build resilience, confidence, and key life skills. As a Residential Support Worker, you'll be a positive role model - supportive, approachable, and committed to making a real difference in each young person's life.
Main Duties:
- Follow daily shift plans, routines, and handovers (term-time and holidays).
- Support boys with morning/evening routines, personal care, meals, school runs, activities, and bedtime.
- Promote life skills, independence, room cleanliness, and social development.
- Attend appointments and support activity plans and daily targets.
- Complete all required paperwork, checks, and budgeting tasks.
- Carry out household duties including cleaning, laundry, shopping, and meal preparation.
- Complete safety checks (COSHH, fire safety, vehicle checks).
- Build positive relationships with families and organise family time.
- Act as a Keyworker, offering empathy, consistency, and meaningful support.
All Applicants must have:
- Flexibility to work 14-hour shifts (2 on / 2 off) with rotating start times (08:00, 12:00, 14:00), including sleep-ins
- Understanding of the challenges faced by young people in care
- Level 3 Residential Childcare (or equivalent) or willingness to work toward the qualification
- Excellent communication and listening skills
- Willingness to learn and work effectively within a small team
- Ability to pass an enhanced DBS check (paid for by the organisation)
- Experience with EBD, social care, residential work, or youth work (advantageous)
- Full, clean UK driving licence and flexibility to cover other homes when needed
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 in London employer: North Lakes
North Lakes Children's Services is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment in Carlisle for those passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. With comprehensive training, clear promotion opportunities, and generous benefits including up to 6 weeks' holiday and free meals on duty, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to the resilience and development of boys aged 6-18. Join a dedicated team that values empathy, teamwork, and the importance of building positive relationships with the children in our care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Worker in London
✨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 North Lakes.
✨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 North Lakes!
✨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 North Lakes, 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 North Lakes 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 Child Care Worker in London
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 North Lakes:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to North Lakes! 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 North Lakes
✨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.