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High Trees is an Ofsted-rated 'Outstanding' home, offering care in a 3 to 4 bed setting and welcoming children aged 7 to 18 at the time of referral. Our home is small and inviting, and we look after the individual needs of children with severe and complex learning disabilities and their families. Our dedicated and skilled staff team are keen to ensure that children who stay with us, whether full time or for short breaks, feel at home and feel safe, have many opportunities for both fun and learning and reach their full potential in a range of creative ways.

About the Role

• Salary: £30,103 - £31,492 per annum (includes weekend working allowance and Crawley Weighting Allowance) plus excellent pension, annual leave and additional benefits
• Working Pattern: Full time 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Shifts and Rotas: for day work, you will be required to work on a shift rota between 07:00 - 22:00, including every other weekend and approximately one sleep-in duty per week currently with enhanced pay.

As a Residential Childcare Worker at High Trees, you will provide a nurturing, positive and safe environment for our children and young people to support their individual needs. Each day you will support a child's individual plan such as their morning routine, school attendance, developing independence skills and facilitating mealtimes along with family time. While this role can be challenging at times, it is deeply rewarding as it lets you experience the joy of young people celebrating their achievements. If you are passionate about supporting children with severe and complex learning difficulties to reach their full potential, we'd love to hear from you.

Experience and Skills

• Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent. If you do not have this, the service will support you to complete this qualification; you must achieve this within two years of appointment as it is a statutory requirement of this post.
• Sound communication and interpersonal skills to a range of children and families.
• Ability to promote and encourage a multi-agency approach to support the child.
• Ability to use initiative to resolve problems within given parameters.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work.
• Ability to work as part of a team around a child.
• Good standard of English and literacy e.g. ability to write reports around individuals and significant incidents.

Please be advised you are required to bring certificates for English and any Childcare qualifications you hold.

Rewards and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where you can achieve your full potential and are rewarded for the work you do. In addition to working within a great team and a brilliant opportunity you will receive:

• generous holiday entitlement
• access to a wide selection of retail discounts and savings such as groceries, shopping, travel and more through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.
• a range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives
• maternity, paternity, dependency and adoption leave
• health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• financial wellbeing support including access to educational tools and webinars, loans or debt consolidation options and savings scheme
• training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our Rewards and Benefits page.

Further Information

The reference number for this role is CAFHE05820. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and an occupational health check. A full employment history will be requested and covered for this role. For Children's Residential roles requiring completion of a Level 3 Diploma, applicants who do not already hold the qualification must have sufficient existing right to work in the UK to enable completion of the qualification period. The organisation is currently unable to provide sponsorship for these roles.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver.