At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and mentor children, engaging in fun activities like gaming and arts.
- Company: Join The Mulberry Bush, a caring community transforming lives.
- Benefits: Earn up to £4k extra with sleep-in allowances and enjoy 50 days holiday.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive family environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while having fun and growing professionally.
- Qualifications: Empathy, resilience, and a desire for further education are key.
The predicted salary is between 29180 - 35732 £ per year.
Location: Standlake, Oxford.
Salary: £29,180-£35,732. Sleep-in allowance: Up to £4,000 a year.
Job type: Permanent, full-time.
About the role: We’re looking for Residential Childcare Workers to join our ever-growing team here at the Mulberry Bush. You'll be a role model and mentor, a gaming buddy and swimming chaperone, as you play a key part in the support system for children who have experienced significant trauma. Whether you’re cooking with the children, taking them on cinema trips, or getting hands-on with arts and crafts, you'll be the hero in their story as you help them build healthy relationships and discover the benefits of education. It can be tough, it can be challenging, but it's always incredibly rewarding.
We'll look to you to:
- Provide practical day-to-day care of children within the household, e.g. getting the children ready for school, mealtime activities, getting children ready for bed.
- Plan and provide child-centred cultural, physical, play and recreational activities.
- Think creatively about – and contribute to – effective care planning.
- Provide appropriate therapeutic relationships with the children.
- Develop your understanding of therapeutic childcare practice.
- Monitor the care and treatment of your assigned children within the household.
Shift Patterns: Shift patterns are usually set a term in advance. Shifts include 40 hours a week over a 7-day period, between the hours of 8am-10pm. You’ll be required to participate in the sleep-in rota, which could involve 1-2 sleep-ins per week, including weekends. Sleep-ins take place from 10pm-8am. These hours are separate from your 40 hours and are paid on top of your salary. The number of sleep-ins are not set and will be subject to change based on staff availability.
We'll care for you too: You're not just part of a team, you're part of our family. Support echoes through every part of our community, and your colleagues are always here to lend a hand or share a smile. We also offer the following benefits to make your journey with us even more rewarding:
- Sleep-in allowances which means you could earn up to £4k more annually.
- Paid overtime (based on operational requirements).
- A salary above sector average.
- 50 days’ holiday each year.
- A comprehensive range of informal and formal wellbeing support.
- Employer contribution pension of 6%.
- Enhanced parental leave benefits.
- Subsidised meals.
What’s more, we’re deeply invested in your professional growth and development. As part of your role, you’ll have the opportunity to complete a fully accredited and funded Foundation Degree (FdA) in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People, run by The Mulberry Bush and validated by the University of the West of England.
About you: We're looking for someone who embodies resilience, empathy, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. Someone who can believe in the untapped potential of these children when others have given up. You’ll also need to be happy to get hands-on with all sorts of activities – from crafting to gaming, Warhammer to cooking. Drawing on your life experiences, you can provide valuable guidance and support to help them thrive. You'll also need:
- Desire to undertake further education/training.
- Training or qualifications that demonstrate a clear ability to communicate effectively and think critically.
- A valid and full UK driving licence.
- The legal right to live and work in the UK.
About the Mulberry Bush: At The Mulberry Bush, we believe that with support and opportunities, children can overcome challenges and shape their future. We see their untold stories, possibilities, dreams, and untapped potential – and we believe in their ability to rewrite their destiny. All while having lots of fun along the way. The Mulberry Bush is a therapeutic community, registered as a children’s home and a non-maintained residential special school. We are dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by childhood trauma. Since 1948, we’ve been helping children and those around them through specialist therapeutic services and fulfilling activities. Over the years we have established an outstanding reputation for transforming the lives of all those affected by childhood trauma. We believe we offer something special – and we’d love you to be part of it.
Apply now: If you believe that you have the experience and expertise required to succeed in this role or would like to attend one of our visit days, please submit your CV via the 'Apply for this job'. All applicants shortlisted must be willing to attend a visit day and complete an application form (for regulatory purposes). If you have any questions about the role or the work we do, please email the HR team at careers@mulberrybush.org.uk.
The Mulberry Bush is an equal opportunities employer. The Mulberry Bush is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable people and expects all staff and students to share this commitment. Applicants must have the appropriate right to work in the UK. For applicants requiring visas, we can only accept those with visas which allow you to work in the UK indefinitely (we do not have the ability to offer sponsorship). This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore candidates must be prepared to undertake a DBS criminal background check.
Residential Childcare Worker in Witney employer: The Mulberry Bush
At The Mulberry Bush School, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to nurturing both our students and staff. Located in the serene surroundings of Standlake, Oxfordshire, we offer a supportive work culture where collaboration and professional growth are at the forefront, alongside benefits such as a teachers' pension, enhanced parental leave, and comprehensive wellbeing support. Join us in making a meaningful impact on children's lives while being part of a close-knit community that values your contributions and fosters your development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Childcare Worker in Witney
✨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 The Mulberry Bush.
✨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 The Mulberry Bush!
✨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 The Mulberry Bush, 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 The Mulberry Bush 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 Residential Childcare Worker in Witney
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 The Mulberry Bush:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Mulberry Bush! 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 The Mulberry Bush
✨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.
