At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team in providing high-quality care for children and young people.
- Company: A dedicated children's residential home in Ashford, Surrey.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £33,000, flexible shifts, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to safeguarding and promoting children's welfare.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: 1+ years in residential childcare and experience in a leadership role.
The predicted salary is between 40500 - 49500 £ per year.
Location: Ashford, Surrey (TW15)
Salary: £33,000
Shift pattern: Days are 7am - 7pm, Waking Nights are 7pm - 7am
We are recruiting an experienced Children's Home Team Leader / Senior Residential Support Worker to join a residential children's home in the Ashford area. This is a hands-on senior position for someone who enjoys working directly with children and young people while also taking responsibility for leading shifts, supporting staff, safeguarding and maintaining high standards of residential childcare.
You will work closely with the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager, supporting the day-to-day running of the home and deputising when required.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead and support residential childcare staff during shifts
- Support the Registered Manager and Deputy Manager with the effective running of the home
- Promote the safeguarding, welfare and development of children and young people
- Ensure high standards of care in line with Children's Homes Regulations and Ofsted Quality Standards
- Support children with their education, behaviour, emotional wellbeing and personal development
- Prepare and review placement plans, safety plans and risk assessments
- Lead key-work sessions and ensure records are accurate and up to date
- Supervise, coach and mentor members of the residential care team
- Support staff development, training and performance
- Liaise professionally with families, social workers and other external professionals
- Participate in reviews, meetings and multi-agency working
- Maintain excellent professional boundaries and safeguarding practice
- Support health and safety compliance within the home
- Coordinate daily routines and delegate responsibilities to the residential care team
About you:
We are particularly interested in candidates with:
- At least 1 year's experience working in residential childcare / a children's home
- Experience supporting children and young people
- Previous experience as a Senior Residential Support Worker, Senior Support Worker, Team Leader or Senior Keyworker
- Experience leading, coaching, mentoring or supervising staff
- Strong safeguarding knowledge
- Knowledge of Ofsted, the Children's Homes Regulations and Quality Standards
- Confidence completing care plans, risk assessments and professional reports
- Good communication, literacy, IT and record-keeping skills
- A child-centred approach and the ability to promote children's voices and choices
- Ability to work flexibly, including evenings, weekends, bank holidays, waking nights and on-call when required
The client specification asks for at least one year's relevant residential childcare experience and highlights leadership, Ofsted knowledge and the ability to undertake appropriate residential childcare qualifications such as Level 3 and Level 5.
Important Information:
Interested? Please apply with an up-to-date CV. Due to the regulated nature of Children's Residential Care, successful candidates will be required to complete all relevant safer recruitment and pre-employment checks before starting work.
Right to Work: Please only apply if you already have the right to work in the UK for this position. Unfortunately, sponsorship is not available for this vacancy.
Safer Recruitment & Safeguarding: YourRecruit is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Appointments to roles within children's residential services will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment checks, which may include an Enhanced DBS check, verification of employment history, satisfactory references, qualification checks, identity and Right to Work checks, and exploration of any gaps in employment, in line with the requirements of the role and provider.
Know someone suitable? YourRecruit operates a paid referral scheme, so if this role isn't right for you but you know someone who may be interested, please get in touch.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to respond individually to every applicant. If you have not heard from us within 7 days, unfortunately you have not been shortlisted for this particular vacancy. We would, however, be pleased to consider you for other suitable opportunities.
YourRecruit Ltd is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and does not discriminate unlawfully on the grounds of any protected characteristic.
Senior Children's Residential Support Worker employer: YourRecruit Ltd
As a Deputy Manager in our Children's Residential Home located in Greenwich, you will join a dedicated team committed to providing exceptional care and support to children and young people with emotional and behavioural needs. Our organisation fosters a nurturing work culture that prioritises professional development, offering ongoing training and clear career progression opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Children's Residential Support Worker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Children's Residential 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 YourRecruit Ltd:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YourRecruit Ltd! 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 YourRecruit Ltd
✨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.
