At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team in providing therapeutic care for young people in a residential setting.
- Company: Join Young Care Hub, a brand new Ofsted registered children's home.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, sleep-in pay, full training, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with a supportive team and a commitment to safeguarding.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent, plus relevant experience.
The predicted salary is between 30495 - 37271 £ per year.
Location: Heath Brow, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Hours: Full time, permanent, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £30,000 plus £65 per sleep-in, paid separately
About the role
Young Care Hub is looking for an experienced Senior Residential Support Worker to join the team at our children's home in Hemel Hempstead. This is a senior position on shift. You will lead the team on the floor, set the standard for how the young people are cared for, and make sure the home runs safely and consistently day to day. It suits someone who already has solid residential childcare experience and is ready to take responsibility for a shift rather than simply work one. Our approach is informed by a clinical CAMHS background, which means the young people we look after benefit from a genuinely therapeutic model of care rather than a purely custodial one.
Hours and shift pattern
- Full time, permanent, 37.5 hours per week
- Working across a 7 day rota, including weekends and bank holidays
- Typically 3 x 12 hour shifts per week, depending on the rota
- Additional sleep-ins are required and are paid separately at £65 per sleep
- You must be flexible to work days, evenings, weekends and sleep-ins
What you will be doing
- Taking the lead on shift and directing the day to day running of the home
- Supporting, guiding and role modelling for the wider support worker team
- Maintaining safeguarding and care standards at all times, and escalating concerns appropriately
- Building trusted relationships with the young people and supporting them through daily routines, education, activities and difficult moments
- Completing relevant documentation, including logs, incident records, risk assessments and care plan updates
- Supporting the management team with handovers, rotas and the general running of the home
What we are looking for
- Ideally a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare, or an equivalent qualification
- Previous experience working within a children's residential setting
- Experience taking a senior or lead role on shift is preferred
- A calm, consistent approach and sound judgement under pressure
- Confidence in record keeping and following safeguarding procedures
- Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep-ins
What we offer
- Full induction and ongoing training, with support towards further qualifications
- A clinically informed approach to care and genuine support from the wider team
- Real opportunities to progress as the organisation grows
Young Care Hub is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and full pre-employment checks. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Senior Support Worker employer: Young Care Hub
At Young Care Hub, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and nurturing work environment in Hemel Hempstead. Our team enjoys competitive salaries, including additional pay for sleep-ins, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children. We are committed to employee growth, providing ongoing training and development opportunities to ensure our staff thrive both personally and professionally.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Support Worker
✨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 Young Care Hub.
✨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 Young Care Hub!
✨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 Young Care Hub, 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 Young Care Hub 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 Senior Support Worker
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 Young Care Hub:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Young Care Hub! 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 Young Care Hub
✨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.
