At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities in their learning and personal care.
- Company: Outstanding specialist school dedicated to providing exceptional education and care.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible shifts, ongoing training, and potential for permanent employment.
- Other info: Join a supportive team in a beautiful setting with great career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with SEND, personal care skills, and a caring attitude.
The predicted salary is between 15 - 15 £ per hour.
Classroom Support is delighted to be working in partnership with a large 'Outstanding' specialist school in Westerham to recruit experienced Student Support Assistants to join their dedicated team in the run up to Christmas.
These are long-term opportunities with the potential to secure a permanent position following a successful probationary period.
The school also offers flexible shift patterns within its residential provision, providing excellent opportunities for candidates looking for additional hours.
About the School
This exceptional specialist school provides education and residential support for children and young people with physical disabilities, complex medical needs, and additional learning needs.
Set within beautiful grounds and equipped with outstanding specialist facilities, the school is recognised for its highly supportive environment, excellent staff development, and commitment to delivering the highest standards of care and education.
Due to the nature of the role, successful candidates will work across the school's Primary, Secondary, and Residential provisions, supporting pupils both during the school day and within the residential setting where required.
The Role
As a Student Support Assistant, you will play a vital role in helping students access learning while supporting their personal care, mobility, and independence.
Your responsibilities will include
- Providing high-quality support to pupils with complex physical disabilities and additional needs.
- Delivering personal care with dignity, compassion, and respect.
- Supporting pupils with mobility using safe moving and handling techniques.
- Assisting students throughout the school day and, where required, within the residential provision.
- Promoting independence, wellbeing, and inclusion.
- Working collaboratively with teachers, therapists, nurses, and residential care staff to deliver outstanding support.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will have
- Previous experience supporting children or young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
- Confidence and experience providing personal care.
- A valid Moving and Handling or Manual Handling of People qualification (completed within the last 12 months, or recently enough to remain current).
- Practical experience using moving and handling equipment within a care or education setting.
- A caring, patient, and compassionate approach with excellent communication skills.
- Flexibility to work across different departments and shift patterns.
- A background in residential care, healthcare, nursing, or specialist care is highly desirable.
- Full UK driving licence (the school's rural location makes driving highly recommended. The nearest transport links are via Oxted with local bus services available).
- Enhanced DBS including both Children's and Adults' Barred List checks (registered on the Update Service), or willingness to obtain one.
- Current Moving and Handling of People certification.
- Right to work in the UK.
What We Offer
- Competitive pay of £14.50-£15.00 per hour.
- Weekly pay through Classroom Support.
- Long-term opportunities with a pathway to permanent employment.
- Flexible shift patterns, including residential morning and evening shifts.
- Ongoing professional development and refresher training provided by the school.
- A supportive leadership team and outstanding working environment.
- Opportunities for additional overtime.
- Safeguarding & Compliance
Classroom Support is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
- Successful applicants will be subject to safer recruitment checks, including:
- An Enhanced DBS with both Children's and Adults' Barred List checks (registered on the Update Service), or willingness to obtain one.
- Professional reference checks.
- Verification of the right to work in the UK.
- Any additional pre-employment checks required in line with Department for Education guidance.
A strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection is essential for this role.
Residential Child Care Worker in Westerham employer: Senploy
As an SEMH Teacher in London, you will join a supportive and dynamic work culture that prioritises the emotional and educational needs of students. The company offers competitive pay rates, opportunities for professional development, and a chance to make a real difference in the lives of pupils with complex needs. With a focus on restorative practices and collaboration within specialist teams, this role provides a fulfilling environment for educators dedicated to meaningful teaching.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Child Care Worker in Westerham
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Residential Child Care Worker in Westerham
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 Senploy:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Senploy! 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 Senploy
✨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.
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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.
