Residential Child Care Worker

Home based in Ellesmere Port. MUST be a driver.

Purpose of the Job

• Engage in the effective delivery of residential childcare in accordance with Company policies and procedures.
• Maintain good professional practices in accordance with the Quality standards for children's homes, and Children's homes regulations 2015.
• Help create a positive environment for each child with particular reference to their safety, health and education.

Main duties and areas of Responsibility

• Work in partnership with other agencies.
• Contribute to the delivery of effective individual care plans, risk assessments and other children's records.
• Support children to make progress and achieve positive outcomes.
• Ensure children are safeguarded.
• Maintain a positive and caring environment, where emotional and physical needs are met.
• Meet safe care standards.
• Maximise opportunities for children to develop and make progress.
• Seek and act upon children's views and wishes where appropriate.
• Maintain good quality records, as required, with supervision and advice from Team leaders/deputy and the Homes Manager.
• Demonstrate good professional practice in the home in accordance with National Standards.
• Create and maintain a positive environment for each child, with particular regard to their safety, health and education.
• Support and develop relationships with colleagues in the Children's homes and other agencies.
• Undertake a key worker role with Children as required.
• Perform sleep-in duties on a rota basis and flexible working in keeping with the needs of the service.
• Ensure the home is kept clean, tidy and safe, encouraging the children to participate as appropriate.
• Prepare and cook nutritious meals taking into account dietary and cultural needs.
• Transport young people to activities/education etc.
• Support young people to develop life skills and promote independence.
• Manage risk, and be aware of any potential risk to children.
• Understand trauma and adverse childhood experiences, and support with behaviours that can challenge.

Relevant Experience and Knowledge

• Essential

• Ability to manage conflict/challenging behaviour.
• Ability to maintain home records.
• Be able to complete records to a high standard (such as daily records).
• Ability to plan and prioritise workload.
• Ability to maintain sound professional judgement when working under pressure.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and initiative.
• Ability to learn and develop new skills.
• Good level of applied literacy and numeracy.
• Be prepared to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays as per rota (including the Christmas period).
• To sleep-in as required by rota.

• A minimum of 12 months experience of child care work in a relevant setting.
• Good standard of education achieved.
• Knowledge of Social Care Inspection Framework.
• Knowledge of Quality standards and Children's homes regulations 2015.
• Be prepared to attend regular training.

Qualifications

• Essential

• Good level of applied literacy and numeracy to be prepared to undertake training/qualification as benefits the role.
• Work towards level 3 qualification.

• Care related award for e.g. NVQ/diploma level 3 in caring for Children and Young People.

Communication Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at all levels.
• Ability to be professional at all times.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to form effective relationships with children and act as a positive role model.

Quality

• To ensure that all health and safety requirements are met.

Financial

• To contribute towards effective management of household budget.

Personnel

• To undertake an Enhanced Check provided by the Disclosure and Barring service.
• To provide at least 2 satisfactory references.
• To adhere to company policies and procedures at all times.

Training

• Ability and willingness to undertake training and apply new understanding.
• To work towards completion of professional qualification relevant to post and Children & Young People.

Whilst this job description gives a reasonable overview of the post, it is not exhaustive and the post holder will be expected to behave in a flexible manner and take on any other duties that may reasonably be delegated from time to time.