Serenity Safe Sanctuary Children’s Residential Services is a dedicated home for Children and Young People who cannot live with their biological parents or extended family due to their circumstances. We are committed to ensuring all children and young people in our care can live safely without harm, abuse, or neglect. We support children and young people in reaching milestones and transitioning into adulthood in a safe and effective manner, helping them to realise their goals and dreams.
We will ensure that we continuously offer opportunities and support to help them overcome the barriers they face. We will provide personalised education and blended learning throughout their care and support to meet all needs. No child or young person is too much of a problem, with a therapeutic approach developed around the child who has a voice and choice within the care they receive. This is essential for raising strong, independent children who become valued members of our community.
We will provide quality and purpose to our care and support, ensuring that children’s views, wishes and feelings are continually reviewed and supported. Education is concurrent with all day-to-day activities and enhances opportunities, giving children and young people skills, knowledge, and behaviours that help them become upstanding members of society. Children and young people enjoy their time with us and are actively involved in the quality improvement of the home, enabling all to achieve their desired goals. Health and well-being are at the core of the services we deliver, and we lead by example, supporting the development of positive, trusting relationships that help us overcome barriers and live with trauma. The protection and safeguarding within our home are of a high quality, supporting children, young people, and staff to feel safe and protected continually, and to have a voice to share their concerns. Our Leadership and Management are child-focused and led by example, with continual review of practice and quality improvement within all areas. Care planning is written and developed in the first person. This is continually current and updated to reflect progress and concerns, with the child’s full involvement. Our care and support align with the best interests and are supported by all professionals who are knowledgeable and understand all aspects of a child or young person’s development. Our home and services foster a positive therapeutic environment that supports healthy brain development.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Children’s care and support worker, you are required to share the goal of helping children and young people understand their experiences to move beyond their often-traumatic past. Your role is designed to assist them as they take steps to make sense of their lives by setting clear and safe boundaries and achievable goals. This includes positive reinforcement strategies such as reward charts and providing free time.
Central to your role is providing a high level of nurturing, ensuring all children and young people’s basic needs are met to the highest standard. This includes creating a home with a warm and friendly atmosphere, where great importance is placed on building supportive relationships and positive attachments. The role of a children’s residential care and support worker is a vital part of ensuring children and young people are protected from harm, abuse, and neglect, and that they are empowered to speak out.
You will continue to have face-to-face contact with some of the most vulnerable children in our society; therefore, you are a role model, and your skills, knowledge, and experience will be crucial in helping these children and young people develop. Your role is diverse and includes organising and taking part in activities, understanding the importance of blended learning and child and young people’s development, and showing empathy and understanding even when behaviour is challenging and confusing.
The role involves responsibilities for children, young people, and the team you work with. You will need to contribute to care planning and PBS, assess risks both inside and outside the home, and communicate these to seniors and managers.

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

· To ensure that a caring and motivating environment is provided for the children and young people that considers individual developmental needs and enables children and young people to reach their full potential
· To plan and prepare activities that meet the children and young people’s needs and stimulate their learning and integration within the home.
· Stay well-informed of legislation, guidelines, and policies to ensure compliance with the Children’s Act, Children’s Homes Regulations, and the national minimum standards. Be aware of all Ofsted guidance and information regarding the home.
· To observe and assess children and young people’s progress and keep accurate records of their achievements, behaviour and essential life 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 children and young people receive is outstanding
· To establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers in a way that supports young people’s learning and development and values parental involvement where appropriate.
· Be flexible in your working practices at home, e.g., to help where needed, including undertaking domestic tasks within the house, such as preparing meals, 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