Residential Practitioner

Job Purpose

Before applying for this job, it is important that you read the guidance by clicking on this link and the Job Profile attached. These explain the job role and the type of person we’re looking for.

Location: Gilbert Road, Marchburn and Kingsfield Children’s Homes

Duration: Permanent, Full Time and Part Time

Roles that require PVG Membership: Please note that with effect from 1 April 2023, where a role requires PVG membership, candidates will be required to meet the cost of the PVG membership. This applies only to roles with a full time equivalent salary of £30,000 and above. The Council will pay for the PVG membership cost initially, either £18 for existing PVG scheme members, or £59 for non-members, and this cost will be deducted from an employee's first FULL month’s salary payment.

About The Role:

• Create safe environments where young people feel claimed.
• Be based in one of three Residential Children’s Homes in Aberdeen City.
• Follow a shift pattern and rotation working evenings and weekends (shift allowance is paid).
• Apply GIREC principles into practice and produce written and verbal assessments and contributions which are coherent and based on a knowledge of child development.
• Work with trauma skilled principles and develop skills to become trauma enhanced.
• As part of a skilled team apply theoretical approaches which support and protect young people and contribute to an environment which values and appreciates care and compassion.
• Be part of a team which supports reparative family and community work.
• Effectively contribute to regular core group and other multi agency decision making fora.
• Produce all relevant assessments and reports and maintain both electronic and written case and administrative records in accordance with Aberdeen City Council policies.

You will receive a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including:

• Competitive Rewards: Attractive salary, pension scheme, and annual Leave of 28 days rising to 36 days with continuous service plus 7 public holidays.
• Employee Perks: Staff discounts and benefits.
• Career Growth: Training, development, and promotion opportunities.

This post involves shift working with non standard working hours.

Shift Details:

• Early shift 7am - 2.30pm
• Late shift 2pm - 9.30pm
• Night shift - 9pm - 7.30am
• 8pm - 7am Monday to Friday is paid at an additional 33% shift allowance.
• Friday midnight to Sunday midnight is paid at an additional 40% shift allowance.
• Full Time and Part Time positions available.

The Post Holder Needs To Hold As a Minimum:

• Post holder Residential Practitioner 1 as a minimum: HNC Social Care and SVQ level 3 to be undertaken in the first 3 years of post OR: BA in humanities linked subject.
• SSSC registration (or achieve this within 3 months in post).
• Protection of Vulnerable Group Check (PVG).
• Is willing and able to work toward additional qualifications potentially including Post Graduate Diploma in Advanced Res Child Care.

The Postholder Is Able To Demonstrate:

• Communication skills which engage children and their carers and can demonstrate how language reflects the principles of Write Right About Me, combined with high level self.
• Direct engagement, care planning approaches with young people with complex needs.
• Model an inclusive approach toward Children’s Rights and to support and develop this in your practice.
• Awareness and experience of the youth justice and child protection systems.

About Us: Please see the Job Profile for further details. Aberdeen City Council is an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Flexible Working: We are happy to talk flexible working and offer flexible working for most roles in the organisation meaning that many of our employees enjoy the freedom of choosing a working pattern that suits them as much as it suits the organisation.

Disability Confident: We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you consider yourself to have a disability and think you may require a reasonable adjustment to be made for this part of the selection process, or would like further information in relation to reasonable adjustments, please contact us.

Armed Forces: We are a forces-friendly employer, have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and are a gold award recipient in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme: We have a number of guaranteed interview schemes available to applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role they are applying for.

Please note that eligibility to work in the UK is dependent on legal status and all applicants must have the right to live and work in the UK.