At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in a nurturing environment, building positive relationships and engaging in fun activities.
- Company: Dove Adolescent Services, a leading provider of care for young people across Yorkshire.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full training, employee discounts, and holiday pay included.
- Other info: Join a dedicated team with excellent career progression opportunities and a supportive community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting young people; experience is a plus but not required.
The predicted salary is between 25755 - 31156 £ per year.
Location: Barnsley (With services in Pontefract, Wakefield, Eggborough and Barnsley, we currently have vacancies throughout)
Contract Type: Full time, permanent
Specific Hours: 39 hours per week
Unqualified: £25,755.60 base, up to £31,155.60 with sleep-in shifts
Qualified (Level 3 Diploma or equivalent): £26,303.16 base, up to £31,703.16 with sleep-in shifts
At Dove Adolescent Services, we provide a safe, nurturing environment for young people from the ages of 8-18 years to grow, build emotional resilience, and reach their full potential. We believe in fostering strong, trusting relationships that help guide young people through their journey to adulthood. We’re seeking Residential Childcare Support Workers to join our dedicated team across Yorkshire. In this role, you will support young people with tailored care, helping them build brighter futures through positive relationships, structure, and adventure.
Why Choose Dove? At Dove, we don’t just offer jobs, we build careers. Many of our Operations Directors and Home Managers started as Support Workers, and we’re proud to help people progress through meaningful training and development. 100% of our inspected services are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Join a team that’s passionate, ambitious, and driven by positive outcomes. Whether you’re qualified, experienced, or just passionate about helping young people, we want to hear from you.
As part of our team, you could be:
- Biking or hiking the Pennines
- Taking trips to the cinema or theme parks
- Providing a safe, stable home environment that helps young people thrive
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Safeguarding and supporting the wellbeing of young people
- Building positive, trusting relationships
- Supporting young people’s interests and development
- Taking part in activities and creating a homely, inclusive environment
- Completing sleep-in duties as part of a flexible rota
What We’re Looking For:
- A genuine desire to support and engage with young people
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently
- Flexibility to work weekends, bank holidays, and sleep-in shifts
- Prior experience in care is welcome but not essential — we’ll train you!
What We Offer:
- Full training and support to gain your Level 3 Diploma in Childcare or Level 4 Apprenticeship
- Employee discounts at over 740 retailers
- Refer-a-Friend bonus - £500 for every successful referral
- Holiday pay and meals included on shift
- Be part of the Polaris Community, one of the UK’s leading children’s services groups
Dove Adolescent Services is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible individuals, regardless of background. We are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All offers of employment will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Residential Support Worker in Barnsley employer: Polaris Community
At Redstone Hall School in Ipswich, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the emotional health and wellbeing of our staff and students alike. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through a variety of development opportunities, while our commitment to providing high-quality education ensures that you can make a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children. Join our passionate team and contribute to a positive environment where every member feels valued and empowered.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Support Worker in Barnsley
✨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 Polaris Community.
✨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 Polaris Community!
✨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 Polaris Community, 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 Polaris Community 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 Support Worker in Barnsley
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 Polaris Community:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Polaris Community! 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 Polaris Community
✨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.
