At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide trauma-informed support to children in need and engage in their hobbies.
- Company: Protective Care Group, dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children.
- Benefits: £32,000 salary, generous pay uplifts, fully funded qualifications, and career growth.
- Other info: Flexible shifts, supportive team environment, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or relevant experience with young people.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 44800 £ per year.
Did you know there are thousands of children across the country in incorrect or unsuitable care placements?
That’s thousands of children who do not have access to the care and support they need to thrive, thousands of children being let down repeatedly and thousands of children who are misunderstood.
Protective Care Group exists to provide what we know is missing. We use a trauma informed approach, look past the challenging behaviour and recognise that beneath everything, there is a child who desperately needs the specialist support that our teams provide.
All the young people in our care receive:
- Robust, consistent, trauma informed care.
- Staff who won’t give up, no matter how challenging it gets.
- Truly person-centred care in solo residential placements.
- Care delivered by professionals trained in safeguarding, de‑escalation, and therapeutic approaches.
To date, we have never given up on a young person, this has only been possible due to the hard work, understanding, experience and dedication our teams show daily.
What we’re looking for in our Support Workers
We recently asked one of our young people what they want in a support worker. They said ‘someone that is kind, someone that will help them and someone who will get involved in their hobbies.’ As we are person centred it’s only right we take their lead.
Due to the level of care that we provide, we are looking for people that fit the following requirements:
- Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or equivalent) – AND/OR – Have significant, relevant experience working with young people, particularly those who have experienced trauma or require high levels of support.
- If you don’t yet hold a qualification, you must be willing to work towards it as part of the role (with support and funding provided).
- Empathetic, curious and able to engage with young people in a supportive, age-appropriate way.
- Resilient and able to manage challenging behaviour such as severe physical aggression, verbal aggression, sexualised behaviour, CSE and CCE vulnerabilities, self harm and absconding.
- Flexible and able to work anywhere within the West Sussex area on a varied shift pattern of 5 on 5 off (including day shifts, waking nights, and sleep-ins – be prepared to stay away from home if needed).
- We carefully match Support Workers to the young people and teams where they’ll be the best fit, which means your placement might not be the one closest to home.
- In possession of a full UK manual driving licence.
It’s important that you understand all aspects of the role before applying, like the working hours, possible working locations and the types of challenges you may encounter. Please follow this link to find out more:
protective-care.co.uk/careers/careers-faqs/
What you’ll get
The ultimate reward is knowing you have made a difference to a child; however, all our support workers also receive:
- £32,000 base salary + generous shift uplifts & sleep-in pay.
- Fully funded industry recognised qualifications
- Clear pathways for internal career growth
- Paid annual leave that grows with service
- Sick pay, company pension & employee wellbeing support (including free counselling)
Childrens Support Worker in Crawley employer: Protective Care Group
Protective Care Group is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable children. Our supportive work culture prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development, offering fully funded qualifications and clear pathways for career advancement. With competitive salaries, generous benefits, and a commitment to trauma-informed care, we empower our staff to thrive while they help young people overcome challenges in West Sussex.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Childrens Support Worker in Crawley
✨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 Protective Care Group.
✨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 Protective Care Group!
✨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 Protective Care Group, 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 Protective Care Group 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 Childrens Support Worker in Crawley
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 Protective Care Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Protective Care Group! 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 Protective Care Group
✨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.
