At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children in a residential setting through engaging activities and care.
- Company: Walsall Council, dedicated to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Casual positions available, perfect for those seeking flexible work.
- Why this job: Join a rewarding role where every day brings new challenges and opportunities.
- Qualifications: Must be 21+, with Level 3 residential childcare qualification or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
Salary: G6 £31,537 (pro-rata if part-time) Plus sleep-ins as required (additional allowance)
Contract: Casual
How many hats can you wear in a day? Are you resilient, robust and resourceful? Honest, reliable, compassionate? Flexible, fun and hard-working? If your answer is yes then we would like you to consider a career in children’s residential services.
For us no two days are the same, for example tonight involves helping cook the tea; helping with homework; and playing football in the garden. But tomorrow may bring attending meetings; addressing challenging behaviour; and writing reports.
We have a number of opportunities in children’s homes in Walsall:
- Casual posts do not have any guaranteed hours. Hours of work will be offered to successful applicants as required to meet the needs of the Children’s Homes within the service.
- You will be responsible for the direct care of children living in the home, offer high levels of engagement for and with children and be ambitious in achieving positive outcomes for them. This requires relevant qualification of Level 3 residential child care or equivalent and experience within residential sector.
We currently provide residential care for looked after children at six children’s homes located in Walsall. We adopt a child centred approach and actively promote children’s rights. We deliver our services in safe, personalised, small group care which promotes children’s welfare. Our Residential Homes can accommodate children up to 18 years of age.
Due to the nature of this post the Department for Education National Minimum Standards state that the employees must be 4 years older than the oldest resident. Therefore, applicants must be 21 years of age or older.
Walsall Council takes seriously the responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all the children and young people entrusted to our care and it is our expectation that all staff will share this commitment. We will ensure continuous development and improvement of robust recruitment processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding amongst our workforce.
Completion of an enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check is a requirement for working with children and young people. Note: Applicants appointed to posts that require an enhanced DBS clearance must declare any periods of time that they have lived, studied or worked abroad and be prepared to provide an Overseas Criminal Records Certificate (OCRC) or a Statement of Good Conduct (SOGC) relating to anytime they were overseas.
This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.
Residential Childcare Worker (Casual) - Ref: CH01026 in Walsall employer: Walsall Community Network
Walsall Council is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in children's lives. With a strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, our work culture fosters compassion, resilience, and teamwork, ensuring that every day brings new opportunities for personal and professional growth. Located in Walsall, we offer flexible casual roles that allow you to engage directly with children in a supportive environment, making a real difference while enjoying a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Residential Childcare Worker (Casual) - Ref: CH01026 in Walsall
✨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 Walsall Community Network.
✨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 Walsall Community Network!
✨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 Walsall Community Network, 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 Walsall Community Network 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 (Casual) - Ref: CH01026 in Walsall
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 Walsall Community Network:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Walsall Community Network! 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 Walsall Community Network
✨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.
