At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people’s emotional and educational development during night shifts.
- Company: Join a caring team at Phoenix House Children’s Home, part of Northumberland County Council.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, training opportunities, family-friendly policies, and leisure discounts.
- Other info: Enjoy a stable career with excellent support and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Good education, willingness to train, and experience with young people preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25583 - 25989 £ per year.
Employment Location: Phoenix House Children’s Home, Bedlington. Residential Night Care Officer – 32.38 hours, permanent. Salary: A starting salary of £25,583 up to £25,989 (full time 37hr figure quoted). This figure excludes our single premium rate (SPR) payment which enhances your salary for working unsociable hours, between 8pm and 6am and during weekends.
Overview: We are NCC operating five children’s homes, including a national secure children’s home with education. Our service employs approximately 200 care staff and 30 support services staff across the sites. Our homes accommodate 25 young people aged 6–17. Our main aim is to offer an exceptional family‑focused caring environment where children and young people can feel safe and thrive to meet their full potential. The service is inspected by Ofsted on a yearly basis.
Why Join Us: Working at Phoenix House Children’s Home is a rewarding career choice. The role is challenging and physical, but with the right drive, dedication, resilience and passion it offers an exciting and stable career. Training, development, induction and support are available, including the opportunity to complete a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care. As part of Northumberland County Council, you benefit from a family‑friendly policy, pension contributions, leisure and culture discounts at council venues and other discounts.
The Role: At Phoenix House Children’s Home we care for three young people aged between 9 and 12 years. These young people have often had a troubled and traumatic start to their lives; the team helps them address their emotional, social and educational needs to enhance their life chances.
Responsibilities:
- Work a night shift pattern (four nights on, four nights off) with occasional day shifts for training, meetings or 1:1 sessions.
- Ensure quality, safe and effective care of each young person, working independently and as part of a team.
- Support the young people’s emotional, social and educational development, providing specialist help where required.
- Record and report care activities accurately and attend relevant training and meetings.
- Occupy a protected night shift and receive the SPR payment for working unsociable hours (between 8pm and 6am and weekends).
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Good general education and willingness to undertake relevant training.
- Completion of a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care is a requirement; you will be supported to achieve it.
- Experience working with young people in a residential setting is desirable.
- Good communication skills, resilience, empathy and the ability to work independently and within a team.
- Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure is required.
- Must be able to work from 8pm to 6am and weekends; willing to undertake training during occasional day shifts.
Equal Opportunities: We are an equal opportunities employer. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.
Residential Night Care Officer - Phoenix House in Bedlington employer: Northumberland Fire Group
Joining Phoenix House Children’s Home means becoming part of a dedicated team that prioritises the well-being and development of young people in a supportive, family-focused environment. With competitive salaries enhanced by our single premium rate for unsociable hours, comprehensive training opportunities including a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Child Care, and a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer a fulfilling career path. Located in Bedlington, our home fosters a culture of resilience and empathy, making it an excellent choice for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Night Care Officer - Phoenix House in Bedlington
✨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 Northumberland Fire Group.
✨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 Northumberland Fire Group!
✨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 Northumberland Fire Group, 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 Northumberland Fire Group 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 Night Care Officer - Phoenix House in Bedlington
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 Northumberland Fire Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northumberland Fire Group! 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 Northumberland Fire Group
✨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.