At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide care and support to children in a residential setting, ensuring their safety and well-being.
- Company: Join Positive Footsteps Group, dedicated to making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days annual leave, paid training, and access to discounts and rewards.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People Workforce and 2 years of relevant experience required.
We are looking for a Senior Residential Childcare Practitioner to join Positive Footsteps Group. A children’s home can be a complex and challenging environment, so we need determined, resilient people to offer unconditional care and commitment to our children. We would welcome applications from qualified, experienced Childcare workers. The role includes evenings, weekends, bank holidays, and regular sleep-in duties (1–2 per week), with an additional allowance of £50 per sleep-in. There will be shouting, stressful moments and maybe a tear but there will also be laughter, happiness and a chance to not only make good memories but also have a positive impact on the children's life. Help us to make our house ‘their home’!
Roles and responsibilities:
- Ensure the effective safeguarding of children and young people at all times, taking responsibility for responding to and reporting any concerns in line with policies and procedures.
- Provide day-to-day care and support including personal care, medication administration, cooking, cleaning, and maintaining a safe, clean, and well-organised home environment.
- Lead and manage the shift, overseeing the day-to-day running of the children’s home and taking accountability for staff practice and decision-making.
- Support children and young people with education, key work sessions, emotional and developmental needs, and promoting independence and life skills.
- Liaise with external professionals, attend meetings, contribute to care plans, risk assessments, behaviour plans, and maintain accurate daily records and reports in line with regulations.
- Work with the organisations policies and procedures, and to the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.
- Taking feedback from staff to compile placement plans, behaviour management plans and risk assessments.
- Conduct formal and informal key work sessions with young people and produce reports for each session.
Applicants requirements:
- At least 2 years of working in a similar environment (Essential).
- NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People Workforce (Essential).
- Full, clean UK Driving Licence (Essential).
- Able to demonstrate the ability to lead and use their initiative to solve problems.
- Experience of working with young people that have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (Essential).
- The ability to maintain administrative records as required by the organisation.
- Initiative and ability to work autonomously whilst considering risk.
- The ability to be a good role model.
- Ability to react calmly in stressful situations.
- A genuine commitment to engaging with children who have challenging behaviour and complex history.
- The ability to lead and take responsibility for shifts.
Benefits include:
- Entitlement to 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays).
- Progressive pay scale.
- Enhanced employee Assistance Programme.
- Paid Training, including additional training to support progression.
- Enrolment into the NEST Pension scheme.
- Staff incentives, achievement awards.
- Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through the high street and online.
All candidates will be subject to Safer Recruitment and DBS checks.
Senior Residential Childcare Worker in Reading employer: Positive Footsteps Ltd
At Positive Footsteps Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to nurturing both our staff and the children in our care. Our supportive work culture fosters resilience and teamwork, offering extensive training and development opportunities to help you grow in your role as a Senior Residential Childcare Worker. With competitive benefits, including a progressive pay scale, generous annual leave, and access to discounts, we ensure that our employees feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Residential Childcare Worker in Reading
✨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 Positive Footsteps Ltd.
✨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 Positive Footsteps Ltd!
✨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 Positive Footsteps Ltd, 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 Positive Footsteps Ltd 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 Senior Residential Childcare Worker in Reading
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 Positive Footsteps Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Positive Footsteps Ltd! 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 Positive Footsteps Ltd
✨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.
