Casual Residential Child Care Practitioner in Pontypridd

Based at Children's Residential Care Homes across RCT. Do you have what it takes to make a positive difference in the lives of children and young people? Are you a hardworking and resilient individual who is able to engage with and emotionally support children and young people? We are actively looking for individuals to join our dedicated teams in our Children's Residential Care Homes.

Locations:

• Beddau (Beddau, Pontypridd)
• Bryndar (Aberdare)
• Carn Ingli (Aberdare)
• Ty Brynna (Llanharan)
• Ty Ni (Llanharan)
• Willowford House (Gwaelod Y Garth)
• Ystradfechan (Treorchy)
• Cartref Mynydd (Wattstown)

Role and Responsibilities:

As a Casual Residential Child Care Practitioner, you will be part of a caring team that provides a safe, nurturing home, led and supported by an experienced Registered Manager and Senior staff. You will be committed to improving the lives of children with complex needs and those who have experienced childhood trauma. You will work creatively with a high level of active engagement in activities and direct work. You will be supported and trained to practice in a therapeutic environment, utilising the Trauma Recovery Model of care. Much of your role will involve supporting individuals to work through their experiences, with the goal of aiding recovery and building resilience to achieve their personal goals. This work will support the assessment of ongoing care and support needs to ensure positive future planning. You will provide emotional, physical and personal care and support to enable children and young people to reach their full potential, sometimes in challenging situations. You will work actively with families and professionals to ensure care is personalised to meet individual needs, and that children can move on positively from placement.

To succeed, you must be passionate, patient and committed to those you work with, and to the professional standards of the role.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Excellent communication skills
• Positivity and resilience
• A commitment to providing safe and caring environments for children and young people to learn and grow
• Compassion and empathy, and an enthusiasm to promote individual choice
• The ability to invest in developing trusting relationships
• An enthusiasm and commitment to learning
• An ability to work flexibly

Shifts are inclusive of bank holidays and weekends and are typically worked from 7.30am – 3.30pm and 3pm - 11pm. Sleep-ins duties and occasional nights are also required. You may occasionally be required to work in other residential locations to support our other homes within the local authority, to meet the needs of the service.

Qualifications and Professional Development:

You will be expected to hold or be prepared to work towards the QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) or predecessor qualification NVQ Level 3 (Children and Young People). You will be registered with Social Care Wales, either on appointment or following completion of the Induction Framework.

Our Offer to You:

We recognise that working in Social Care is professionally and personally challenging and demands considerable levels of skill, commitment, and enthusiasm. We offer a dedicated in-house Learning and Development Centre which actively supports our staff to maintain their skills and Continuous Professional Development. Successful applicants will be fully funded to receive the necessary training and support required to undertake the role. Applicants who do not hold the relevant qualification will be supported to achieve the QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) within 2 years of appointment.

Benefits:

• 26 days Annual Leave, rising to 31 days after 5 years’ service.
• There is also an option to purchase additional annual leave to a maximum of 10 days (pro rata) per year.
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Discounted LeisureForLife Membership
• Vivup Card (staff discount)
• Technology Purchase Scheme
• Access to our Occupational Health Unit and CARI, our digital confidential wellbeing tool

Additional Information:

Take a look at our dedicated Children’s Services webpages for more information about why you should choose a career in Residential services.

Contact and Application:

For an informal chat or to learn more about the role before you apply, please contact the following homes and management team who will be pleased to talk to you:

• Beddau Community Home – Nicola Howard (01443) 202600
• Bryndar Community Home – Lisa Sansom (01685) 874365
• Ty Brynna – Anthony Arandjelovic (01443) 420961
• Ty Ni - Anthony Arandjelovic 07746 112190
• Willowford House – Charlotte Ajax 07385 401811
• Carn Ingli – Laura Parry (01685) 661003
• Cartref Mynydd – Rosie Walsh (01443) 424839
• Ystrad Fechan and Ty Bwlch - Julia Hart (01443) 773300

If not contact Charlotte Ajax-Treherne the Residential Development Manager - 07385 401811.

Protecting children and vulnerable adults is a core responsibility of all staff appointed to the Council. In addition, this role requires an enhanced disclosure and barring service check. The Council values diversity in its workforce and is committed to equal opportunity in recruitment and selection. We offer networks for staff including the Allies Network, a Disability and Carers Network, and Perthyn our LGBTQ+ Network. Applications submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications. If you do not hear from us within four weeks of the closing date, please assume you were unsuccessful. The Council supports Armed Forces personnel and will interview eligible Service Leavers, Veterans or Reservists. Care Experienced Leavers – Guaranteed Interview Scheme: The Council will guarantee an interview for care experienced leavers who meet the essential criteria for the role.