Senior Children's Home Carer - Beechside Short Break Service - Portsmouth

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. If you believe in child-centred care, teamwork, compassion, and creating positive experiences for young people, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

The key part of the role is working directly with children and young people. The role requires a child-centred approach and the 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. You will be required to input information into the client database and carry out other related administrative tasks.

The ideal candidate

• You will need relevant qualifications and experience in residential childcare, along with a strong understanding of safeguarding and the needs of children, including those with disabilities.
• The role requires excellent communication and relationship-building skills, the ability to work under pressure, make sound decisions, and support children's development.
• You should be adaptable, proactive in your own development, and capable of working both independently and as part of a team, with strong written and verbal skills.
• This will include holding a QCF Level 3 Diploma in residential childcare or equivalent qualification.
• Professional experience of working in a residential children's setting.
• Awareness of the needs of children with learning and physical disabilities.
• Sound experience of key working.
• Have the ability to work under pressure and be able to make decisions to safeguard children, the service and staff.
• Knowledge of how to safeguard and support children in a short breaks service.
• Have the ability to form warm and positive relationships with children to support their development and positive experiences.
• Have the ability to actively support children and encourage children to grow and flourish to their full potential.
• Have excellent communication skills, as you will be required to liaise with other agencies, parents, colleagues, and children.

Important: 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'. You will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Contact Details for an Informal Discussion: Sam Stokes, Registered Manager.

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-focussed. 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.

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. Please note: We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position. Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact the recruitment team.

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. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information. You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.