Residential Care and Educational Support Worker, Linn Moor Campus, Peterculter

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.

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).

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. 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.