JOB DESCRIPTION – RESIDENTIAL CHILDREN/YOUNG PERSON SUPPORT WORKER

Supporting Happy Hearts Ltd is seeking compassionate and dedicated support workers to join our team in providing a safe, nurturing and positive environment for children and young people in our residential home. We are committed to empowering our residents, helping them to develop essential life skills and reach their full potential.
As a support Worker, you will play a vital role in the daily lives of the children and young people we support. You will provide practical and emotional support fostering a sense of belonging and promoting their well-being.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

A minimum of NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Health and Social Care- Willing to work towards NVQ Level 3.
Ability to work both day shifts and night shifts.
Up to date knowledge of safeguarding children’s procedures and practices.
Current first aid/ Basic Life Support certification.

EXPERIENCE:

Proven experience of working with children and young people, preferably in a support role.
Experience of maintaining accurate records.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with children, families and professionals.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
Strong organisational and time management skills.
Ability to remain calm and composed in challenging situations.
Ability to understand and adhere to confidentiality policies and procedures.
Demonstrated ability to follow care plans and risk assessments.
Ability to use a computer for record keeping and communication.

KNOWLEDGE:

Understanding of child development and the factors that can affect children’s well-being.
Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies relating to children and families.
Understanding of equality and diversity principles.

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:

Further qualifications in specific areas, such as behavioural management, conflict resolution or family support.

EXPERIENCE:

Experience of working with children in a specific setting, such as a school, social care or community centre.
Experience of working with families in a crisis.
Experience of working with children who have experienced trauma.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to develop and deliver creative and engaging activities for children.
Ability to advocate for children and families.
Ability to drive and have access to a vehicle.

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of local resources and support services for children and families.
DBS Check: A satisfactory DBS check will be required.
Safeguarding: A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is essential.
Flexibility: The role will require flexible working hours including weekends, evenings, nights and bank holidays.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: From £14.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress

Application question(s):

• Do you have any qualifications or NVQ or equivalent in Health and Social Care

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Support Work: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (preferred)

Work Location: In perso

PURPOSE OF THE POST

To provide advice, assistance and support to young people by providing
practical, physical and emotional needs support.
To act as an appropriate role model and to work closely with young people to enable them to address their difficulties and achieve their optimum potential.

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Team Leaders, Registered Manager and Responsible Person

INDIVIDUAL SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 To maintain a high quality of care and support which meets the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and cultural needs of children and young people within the care of Supporting Happy Hearts Ltd. Working from the guidelines from the 1989 Children’s Act, National Minimum Standards, Every Child Matters and any other relevant legislation.
 To provide a caring, supportive and nurturing environment in which children/young people can feel secure and free from harm.
 Establishing positive relationships with young people and always offering them unconditional and positive regard.
 Helping young people gain self-control by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding acceptable, pro-social conduct.
 Ensuring that each young person’s care plan is followed and amended as appropriate to reflect their changing needs
 Attending to practical matters in relation to childcare (cooking, cleaning, general maintenance around the home etc)
 To act as a key worker or co-worker for a young person to ensure that the young person’s care plans are up to date and that all their care needs are being met. To provide a positive role model to be able to offer advice, guidance and assistance where appropriate.
 Establishing relationships which young people perceive to be positive, warm and rewarding
 Providing advice, assistance and support on a 1:1 basis to enable young people to address past and present difficulties
 Providing emotional support at times of difficulty or stress
 Being ambitious for young people, helping them achieve their goals and optimise their potential
 Providing support for young people in their education and extracurricular activities, this may include supporting them in the classroom if necessary
 Keeping accurate records and providing written reports on young people for planning meetings, reviews or any other meetings as directed by the line manager
 Empowering young people and facilitating their active involvement in the decision making about their lives and future
 Acting as an advocate at meetings where the young person is the subject of discussion
 Encouraging the young person to develop links with the community, attend off-site activities and expand their personal social network to work as part of a team
 Being aware of the aims and objectives of the home and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve them
 Attending team/ staff meetings and making a positive contribution to them
 Actively contributing to the development of the team
 Receiving and storing information to improve communication
 Being willing to give and receive feedback on performance with colleagues and managers
 Being aware of childcare plans for all young people and providing support for colleagues by maintaining consistency in the execution of those plans
 Providing informal practical and emotional support to colleagues experiencing difficulties
 Attending and contributing to regular supervision sessions in line with the National Minimum Standards
 Monitoring the conduct of colleagues and referring on any causes for concern (Whistleblowing)
 Being familiar with all policies and procedures and adhering to them

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

 Attending young people’s meetings and contributing to them
 Driving company vehicles (current driving licence holders subject to procedures)
 Receiving training appropriate to the role and maintaining an up-to-date training profile
 Responsibility for the accurate maintenance of financial records appropriate to the duties of the post
 Responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and colleagues in accordance with the requirements of the organisational Health and Safety Policies
 This post requires the holder to do varying shifts, which include early morning and late evening work, sleep-in and an on-call rota system. The post holder also is required to work weekends as part of a rota and Bank Holidays when required. Sleeping-in duties are also required for which an additional payment is made.
 On occasions you may be requested to change your rota at a given notice as per your contract, to ensure the contingencies of the service are covered. This may also include covering an additional sleep-in duty as an emergency measure.
 In accordance with the guidelines on Health and Safety, to accept responsibility for working within these guidelines and reporting any concerns to the Registered Manager.
 To undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade of the post and the needs of the Home such as decorating, gardening in order to develop and maintain service delivery.
 This post requires the holder to have a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Changes to personal circumstances which may affect this must be notified to your line manager immediately.