Senior Care Practitioner
Overall Responsibilities
Working for RMSK Care means being part of a dedicated team of adults committed to improving the day-to-day lives of young people. As a Senior Care Practitioner, you will work closely with the Registered/Deputy Manager to support, guide, and develop the staff team while ensuring the Home provides a warm, nurturing, and safe environment for children.
You will play a central role in ensuring that the Home operates in line with its Statement of Purpose, meets all statutory and regulatory requirements, and upholds the ethos of the organization. The role involves supporting staff, safeguarding children, ensuring high standards of care, and promoting positive outcomes for all young people in our care. As a new provider we are looking for people who genuinely want to make a difference – your opinions and ideas will be welcomed and embraced. As a Senior Care Practitioner, you will be instrumental in creating a positive culture within the Home and upholding standards. You will be involved in all aspects of running the Home and most importantly developing positive relationships with the children in our care. This is an excellent opportunity for you to work towards being a Deputy Manager (if that is what you want). We have already purchased our next Home and would like to promote from our existing staff team where possible. We are offering a competitive salary of £32,000 per annum, shift pattern of two long days and one short day per week, you will work one weekend in three (Saturday or Sunday but not both), enhanced overtime rates (time and a half) and £50 per ‘sleep in’ (minimum £5200 per annum). We are also offering two 48-hour paid holiday per annum and enhanced rates for Bank Holidays and Christmas as well as an attendance bonus of £1300 per annum (subject to good attendance).
In the absence of the Deputy/Registered Manager, to be responsible for all aspects of running the Home, working in line with current legislation, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, and Ofsted’s Inspection Framework.
To oversee administration/childcare functions at the Home:
* To make decisions in accordance with the ethos of the Home, the Home’s Statement of Purpose and the requirements of the Children Act 1989 and 2004.
* To ensure all practice complies with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the Home’s Safeguarding Policy.
* To become fully conversant with the company’s Policies and Procedures, ensuring these align with Care Standards Act 2000 and Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.
Childcare Practice:
* To provide day-to-day supervision and guidance of staff in accordance with National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes and relevant legislation.
* To uphold children’s rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Equality Act 2010, ensuring practice is free from discrimination.
* To role model best practice in direct work with children, consistent with trauma-informed care and the Quality Standards under the 2015 Regulations.
* To support care planning, reviews and meetings, ensuring the child’s welfare is the paramount consideration in line with the Children Act 1989, Section 22.
Safeguarding:
* To raise any safeguarding concerns in a timely fashion to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), in accordance with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018).
* To contribute to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with the Children Act 1989 & 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, and Section 11 duties on organisations working with children.
* To comply with safer recruitment requirements and employment checks under the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) guidance.
Staff Development and Leadership:
* To ensure staff are supported and trained in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015: Regulation 33 (Employment of Staff) and Regulation 36 (Staff Development and Training).
* To participate in training and development, ensuring compliance with the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (England) requirements, and encouraging leadership progression to Level 5 in line with sector standards.
* To manage rotas and cover shifts in compliance with Working Time Regulations 1998 and duty of care standards.
Health and Safety:
* To ensure the Home is safe and well maintained in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and Fire Safety Order 2005.
* To monitor risk assessments, safety plans, and ensure compliance with Regulation 12 (Protection of Children) of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015.
Legal Compliance and Governance:
* To support the Registered Manager/Deputy in ensuring the Home operates in accordance with its Statement of Purpose (Regulation 16).
* To prepare for and contribute to Ofsted inspections, ensuring compliance with the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF).
* To ensure accurate records are kept in line with Regulation 36 (Children’s Case Records) and GDPR/Data Protection Act 2018.
Review
This job description will be reviewed at least once a year and may be subject to amendment or modification at any time after consultation with the post holder. It is not a comprehensive statement of professional role and responsibilities and is subject to change after consultation with the post holder, but it will always remain in line with statutory legislation and regulatory requirements