Children's Residential Assessor/Trainer
Company: Polaris Community (Learning and Development Division)
Location: Home-based, with occasional travel required to various Polaris locations nationwide
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: Up to £30,000 per annum, dependent upon experience, plus Company Car or Car Allowance and relevant expenses covered
Specific Hours: 35 hours per week
Benefits: 30 days' Annual Leave (rising to 35 with length of service) + Bank Holidays, Company Pension, Life Assurance, Employee Discount Scheme & Free On-Site Parking
About Us
We are Polaris, one of the UK's largest leading communities of children's service providers. Within the community, we have independent fostering and adoption agencies who have been passionately improving the lives of young people for over 30 years, as well as Leaving Care services, Residential, Education and bespoke children's services contracts.
Through our therapeutic children's homes and schools, set in a variety of urban and rural communities, our Residential Division is able to support young people's emotional, social, mental and academic progression and enables them to grow and reach their full potential.
About You
We're looking for a passionate, experienced Residential Childcare Assessor/Trainer to deliver great teaching, learning and assessment to adult learners working towards their Level 3 Residential Childcare qualification within the Polaris Community.
We're also open to applicants with strong occupational competence in Residential Childcare who hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and are looking to step into an assessing role. Full training will be provided for the right person and the salary will be reflected.
This is a hybrid role, so you'll mainly work remotely but will also do some face-to-face visits when needed, depending on your caseload. As a new training provider, the caseload will grow over time.
You'll guide learners through an individualised, compliant learning journey from induction to completion, helping them build the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to succeed in the Polaris Residential Community.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct initial assessments and skills scans to identify prior learning and tailor training plans
Deliver engaging, high-quality teaching and assessment in residential childcare
Support and motivate learners to achieve successful progression and timely completion
Provide tailored learner support through a blended approach of face-to-face visits and remote sessions
Provide constructive feedback and maintain accurate learner records
Monitor learner progress, maintain accurate records and ensure compliance with award body and regulatory standards
Prepare learners for EPA, including mock assessments and gateway readiness checks
Liaise closely with employers to ensure workplace relevance and support
Promote safeguarding, equality and diversity throughout delivery
Essential Criteria
Level 3 or higher qualification in Residential Childcare
Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel for learner visits
Recognised Assessor qualification (e.g. CAVA, TAQA, A1) or willingness to work towards CAVA qualification
Excellent communication and organisational skills
Ability to work independently and manage a caseload of learners
Desirable Criteria
Teaching qualification (e.g. Diploma in Education and Training (DET), CET, PTLLS, AET, CertEd)
Confident using digital platforms such as Microsoft Teams and e-portfolio systems
Experience supporting learners with additional needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds
Experience delivering training through blended or hybrid learning models
Polaris 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.
For an informal conversation about this post, please contact Clare Makepeace on 07791317115.
No agencies.
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