Children\'s Home Carer in Portsmouth

The Service Beechside Short Break Service provides care and short break accommodation for up to six young people aged between 5 - 18 years. The service is tailored to meet individual children's needs that have a learning or a physical disability, often alongside communication needs. The aim of our service is to support children, providing them with a home away from home where they can develop confidence and flourish.

The key part of the role is working directly with children and young people. The role requires a child centred approach and ability to build warm, strong and positive relationships with our children and young people. You will be responsible for the day‑to‑day care of up to six children with a range of complex needs. You will be expected to apply relevant legislation, policies and procedures and guidance relating to residential childcare. You will be expected to work alongside other professionals such as social workers, schools and therapists to provide a consistent team approach to manage care & risk and attend meetings with young people or represent the team at meetings. You will work alongside children by helping them to achieve their specific individual needs and improving their future outcomes.

The ideal candidate will need to have/be:

• A QCF Level 3 Diploma in residential childcare or equivalent qualification. If you don't have this qualification, then you will be required to work towards it within 2 years of employment.
• Professional experience of working in a residential children's setting.
• The ability to form warm and positive relationships with children to support their development and positive experiences.
• Effective engagement and relationship-building skills with children.
• An understanding of the issues and pressures affecting children today.
• The ability to actively support children and encourage them to grow and flourish to their full potential.
• Good listening skills and the ability to remain calm and focused when working under pressure.
• Good written skills to write contact sheets and reports.
• Willingness to use your initiative and make decisions around the needs of children on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing workloads of the team.
• The ability to work alone and as part of a team.
• Ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English.

Desirable:

• Awareness of the needs of children with learning and physical disabilities.
• Knowledge of how to safeguard and support children in a short‑breaks service.
• A driving licence and a Midas qualification.

Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention to the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: Sam Stokes, Registered Manager, sam.stokes@portsmouthcc.gov.uk, 023 92 688 039

Application process: We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

About Portsmouth City Council: Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage.

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800.