At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and care for children aged 8-14 with complex needs in a nurturing environment.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to making a positive impact in the community.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive pay, training opportunities, and a supportive team.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills in social care.
- Qualifications: QCF Level 3 Diploma in residential childcare or willingness to work towards it.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
We are looking for someone to join our team as a Children's Home Carer at one of our homes in Milton. The White House is a three-bedroom home for young people aged 8 - 14 and accommodates both male and female residents on a planned admission basis. This is a full-time role working 37 hours on a rota, the rota is completed over a period of one month - from the 1st of the month to the end of the month.
The Role
- You will be responsible for the day-to-day interaction and care of up to three children with a range of complex needs.
- You will work alongside children by helping them to achieve their specific individual needs and improving their future outcomes.
- You will apply relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidance relating to residential childcare.
- You will work alongside other professionals, for example schools and therapists, to provide a consistent team approach to manage care & risk.
- You will attend meetings with children or represent the team at meetings.
- With support from a senior staff member (sometimes on call not physically present), you will make sound judgements in the moment concerning safeguarding and general safety and wellbeing.
- These decisions must be within policy and practice and justifiable, demonstrating high standards of care.
The ideal candidate
- A QCF Level 3 Diploma in residential childcare or equivalent qualification or a willingness to work towards it is essential and a verifiable pass in English and Maths.
- You will take a proactive role in keeping your own learning & development up to date, including reading, courses, E-learning, presentations, legislation, policy and guidance.
- You will have good listening skills and be able to remain calm and focused when working under pressure.
- You should be able to effectively engage and build relationships with children.
- You should have an understanding of the issues and pressures affecting children today.
- You will have excellent communication skills as you will be required to liaise with other agencies, parents, colleagues and children.
- You will also have good written/IT skills in order to write contact sheets and reports.
- You have the ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English, which is essential for the post.
- Have a full driving license.
Please ensure that you download and read the full job profile attached below 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.
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. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focused. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.
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. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work/personal experience.
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Please note: We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. We are a disability confident employer and have an Armed Forces Covenant. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria; however, for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.
More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage.
Safeguarding Roles
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. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Children's Home Carer - The White House Milton - Portsmouth employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that prioritises respect, integrity, and collaboration. As a SEN Team Leader, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with special educational needs, while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment. Located in the vibrant city of Portsmouth, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to strategic SEND developments and be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to service improvement and community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children's Home Carer - The White House Milton - Portsmouth
✨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 Portsmouth City Council.
✨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 Portsmouth City Council!
✨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 Portsmouth City Council, 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 Portsmouth City Council 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 Children's Home Carer - The White House Milton - Portsmouth
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 Portsmouth City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portsmouth City Council! 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 Portsmouth City Council
✨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.
