Join to apply for the Residential Childcare Support Worker role at Apple Orchard.
Location: Horsham, West Sussex
Contract: Part-Time, permanent
Starting Salary: Base salary of £13,967.20 pro rata (£27,929.36 FTE) per annum with the potential to earn up to £15,647.20 with sleep in shifts.
Salary after probation: Base salary of £14,549.60 pro rata (£29,088.80 FTE) per annum with the potential to earn up to £16,229.60 with sleep in shifts.
Specific Hours: 20 hours per week - shift pattern.
Apple Orchard has five homes in Surrey and West Sussex. Each home is set in a rural location and offers a comfortable homely environment for young males aged 12-18 years. We currently have openings for experienced Residential Childcare Support Workers, and would also love to hear from those who are passionate about making a positive and lasting difference to young people, and who are willing to undertake the relevant training and qualifications needed.
We aim to help young people to develop insight into their experiences to move on from their often damaged traumatic past. We support them as they take steps to make sense of their lives by providing clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals. This includes positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and free time.
Central to our work is the need to provide a high level of nurturing which ensures all the basic needs of the young person are met to the highest standard. This includes providing a home that has a warm and friendly atmosphere where great emphasis is placed on building supportive relationships and positive attachments.
Duties and Responsibilities
* To ensure that a caring and motivating environment is provided for the young people that takes into account individual developmental needs and enables them to reach their full potential.
* To plan and prepare activities that meet the young people's needs and stimulate their learning and integration within the home.
* Keep well-informed of legislation, guidelines, policies to ensure the Children's Act, Children's homes regulations and national minimum standards are met at all times. To be aware of all Ofsted guidance.
* To observe and assess young people's progress and keep accurate records of their achievements, behaviour and important events. To produce and keep up to date a life book for any young person for whom you have key working responsibilities.
* To work with local authorities/ placing authorities to ensure the care the young people receive is outstanding.
* To establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers to support young people's learning and development and values parental involvement where appropriate.
* To be flexible within working practices of the home, e.g. help where needed, including undertaking domestic tasks within the home such as meal preparation, cleaning, shopping etc.
* Work alongside the Manager and staff team to ensure that the philosophy behind the home is fulfilled.
* To keep clear and legible records regarding the young people. To ensure that entries in records are legible, clearly expressed, non-stigmatising and distinguished as far as possible between fact, opinion and third-party information.
Essential Skills
* Previous experience working with teenage boys or challenging behaviour and willingness to develop skills.
* Must hold a driving licence and have access to a vehicle due to rural location; public transport not viable.
* Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or be willing to work towards required qualification.
* Willingness to engage the young people in a wide range of activities and support them through their time at Apple Orchard, guiding them towards independence and adulthood.
* Flexibility with working hours and shift work, including weekdays, evenings and weekends; every other weekend off.
* Ability to challenge unacceptable behaviour, provide firm boundaries and deliver care meeting individual needs.
* Ability to work as part of a team.
* Follow delegated tasks and handovers.
* Maintain policies and procedures.
* Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
* Ability to engage and listen.
Benefits
* Company pension.
* £35 per sleep in (one per week x 48 weeks).
* Access to Exchange Employee Discount Scheme.
* Access to wellbeing programmes via Exchange Provision.
* Promotion opportunities.
* Fully funded training for recognised qualifications.
If you feel that you could use your skills to support this work through creating a caring and stimulating environment allowing for a range of opportunities and life experiences for the young people, then we want to hear from you.
Apple Orchard is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates. The company is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Successful applicants will be subject to a DBS check at enhanced level if successful for the position.
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