At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people in a nurturing environment, helping them thrive and achieve personal goals.
- Company: Join VSA, a respected charity with over 150 years of experience in social care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, sick pay, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Enjoy a supportive team environment and flexible working hours with transport provided.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and young adults with additional support needs.
- Qualifications: Experience with children or young adults is beneficial; willingness to learn is essential.
The predicted salary is between 12.81 - 12.81 £ per hour.
We currently have a fantastic opportunity for the right person to join our team at Linn Moor. If you are passionate about helping vulnerable young people thrive and flourish in a nurturing environment, this could be the right opportunity for you. We have recently welcomed a few new students to our Residential School at Linn Moor Campus. At Linn Moor, our staff work alongside children and young adults in both care and education to help them achieve individual personal outcomes.
Our children and young people are supported on a 1:1 basis with a strong emphasis on working as part of a team and maintaining relationships with the wider community. Your operational base will be on our Linn Moor Campus, based in Peterculter. This is a full-time permanent position and in return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits.
Hours: 39 hours per week averaged Rota: You will be expected to work on a 4-week rolling rota, which will include a mix of early, late shifts, and weekend working (shifts are: 7.30am – 3.30pm and 2pm – 10.15pm)
Rate/Salary: £12.81 ph. (unqualified) up to £13.72 ph. (qualified) Full-Time Starting Salary: £25,978.68 (Unqualified Salary) going up to a maximum £27,823.35 (once qualified following incremental payments)
Benefits:
- Competitive Salary
- Generous Holidays
- Sick Pay scheme
- Transport to and from Aberdeen city centre to campus available
- NEST Pension scheme
- Refer a friend scheme
- Ongoing professional development
About Linn Moor: Linn Moor Campus is a unique multi-generational approach to community-based care for individuals with learning disabilities and other additional support needs, in a residential setting. The campus itself is situated on beautiful grounds allowing our service users the freedom to enjoy the outdoors. With UK wide recognition for our pioneering work with people with autism, our focus is on the development of meaningful life skills and personal fulfilment for the children and young adults we support.
If successful, you would be joining a large team of enthusiastic support workers with a wealth of experience from all different backgrounds. Working across both the Education and Care services at our Linn Moor Campus, you will help to provide a quality service to meet the needs of our students with additional support needs.
An SCQF Level 7 in Social Services and Healthcare (or equivalent) and an HNC in Social Care would be beneficial but it is not essential at this stage (although you must be willing to work towards this or the Level 9 Residential Childcare Qualification). Ideally, you should have some experience of working with children and/or young adults with autism / learning difficulties and have the ability to engage/relate to them through effective communication skills and the ability to deal with complex and challenging behaviour.
You must be willing to work flexibly in both care and education settings, recognising that a different skill set is required and appropriate in each to support the child/young person in their physical, psychological and emotional development. We have an enthusiastic, dedicated, welcoming and supportive environment at our Linn Moor campus.
If you are interested in working somewhere where you can truly make a difference, this could be the opportunity for you. We welcome applications from those who would like the opportunity to work within social care or those simply seeking a change of direction. In return for your hard work, commitment and positive approach, not only will you receive a huge amount of job satisfaction, we also offer a competitive annual salary, paid holidays and continuous professional development.
VSA also operate a bus service that can take you to and from our Linn Moor Campus at scheduled times. Successful applicants will be required to join the PVG Scheme; however, VSA will cover any associated costs.
Main Duties/Responsibilities:
- You will be required to work across the care and education services at the school. Both services have core and specialised approaches that you will be required to follow as set out in VSA and Linn Moor policies and procedures and VSA, Linn Moor and regulated and statutory standards.
- Always work in a child centred way and contribute to the effective provision of a nurturing and positive culture that meets the care and educational needs of the children/young people.
- To be part of creating a happy, safe and caring team and environment which enables children/young people to learn new knowledge and skills and communicate with confidence.
- Work flexibly in care and education settings, recognising that a different skill set is required and appropriate in each to support the child/young person in their physical, psychological and emotional development.
- Recognise that children/young people have a legal right to an appropriate and well provided education commensurate with their developmental and communication needs and for growth that is flexible, nurturing and supportive.
- We expect the support worker to work under the direction of the teacher and develop knowledge of current Scottish educational policy frameworks including the Curriculum for Excellence, How Good is my School and specific documentation for ASN schools.
- We strive to meet these requirements in order to fulfil education standards. The support worker will understand and promote the principles of GIRFEC (Getting It Right For Every Child).
In order to facilitate the transport of staff to and from our Linn Moor campus, VSA operates a staff bus in the morning, afternoon and evenings to cover all applicable staff shifts. VSA is a well-respected local social care charity, helping support the people of Aberdeen for over 150 years. Our mission is to provide the best of care to enable the best of lives; supporting individuals and communities to fulfil their potential. VSA provides vital support and services to people of all ages. Working in social care is a hugely rewarding career, and you can help change the lives of vulnerable children and adults. At VSA, we are looking for motivated and compassionate individuals to join our team. If you think you have what it takes to be part of our fantastic team at Linn Moor please click “Apply” and start your career journey with VSA today.
Residential Care and Educational Support Worker, Linn Moor Campus, Peterculter employer: VSA LLC
At VSA, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing environment for our staff at the Linn Moor Campus in Peterculter. With competitive salaries, generous holidays, and ongoing professional development opportunities, we empower our employees to grow while making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable young people. Our dedicated team culture, combined with unique benefits like a staff transport service and a commitment to personal fulfilment, makes VSA a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Care and Educational Support Worker, Linn Moor Campus, Peterculter
✨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 VSA LLC.
✨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 VSA LLC!
✨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 VSA LLC, 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 VSA LLC 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 Care and Educational Support Worker, Linn Moor Campus, Peterculter
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 VSA LLC:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to VSA LLC! 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 VSA LLC
✨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.
