Full-time / 37 hours / Permanent and casual contracts
Would you like to be part of our service which is ensuring children and young people are at the heart of our work?
As a result of the planned expansion of our residential service, we are advertising for new posts as well as recruiting to current vacancies. Join us as a Residential Support Worker in one of our children's homes teams which are rated as good and outstanding by OFSTED.
You’ll play a vital role in improving the lives of young people in Leicester. You’ll work within the agreed function of the Young People's Residential Homes as a key member of the team, in a challenging yet rewarding environment. You’ll provide care, guidance and support to young people with violent & challenging behaviours, disabilities and/or complex health care needs, and in appropriate cases, you’ll work with their families or carers.
We use Signs of Safety/Success, the Secure Base and Lundy model of Participation as frameworks of intervention to support sound social care practices and our work is underpinned by the principles of trauma informed practice.
As an authority we are committed to addressing racial injustice both for the children and families we work with and across the workforce. We prioritise support, learning, development and wellbeing across our workforce with strengths in practice regularly recognised.
We are committed to supporting your continual professional development and have a comprehensive training and development programme whatever the stage of your career.
We’re currently recruiting for 8 full-time, permanent Residential Support Workers. We are also welcoming applications for casual staff who will be on our bank/relief register. You’ll be based at one of our children’s homes which are based in the suburbs of the city. You must show willingness on a regular basis to visit locations other than your immediate workplace. You’ll be required to work to a shift rota (earlies, lates and weekends), 365 days per year, recognising that rotas may need to be altered to reflect the needs of the service, including undertaking sleeping-in duties.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll work in a team of 20 to 30 staff offering care, guidance and support to children and young people who are in the care of the Local Authority.
You'll work with our looked after children and young people who may have low self-esteem and/or challenging behaviours to build a trusting relationship and develop their confidence. As part of a supportive team, you’ll manage challenging and violent behaviours safely and in a way that protects and maintains the rights of the young people, yourself, and your colleagues.
Acting in the capacity of “co-key” and/or “support” worker to individual young people, you’ll provide services which includes care and domestic support such as cooking, cleaning, personal care, administering medication, promoting education and leisure interests. Furthermore, you’ll take responsibility for any health and safety issues that arise within the home. Working jointly with other individuals, agencies, and community resources, you’ll provide an effective and holistic approach to young people and their families. All whilst fostering good relations with the wider community.
What you'll need
You'll be a compassionate empathetic person who has experience of working directly with individuals who have low self-esteem and/or challenging behaviours. Through this experience you’ll have gained inciteful knowledge into understanding the different needs each person will require.
You’ll have the ability to provide appropriate care to those that use the services we provide. You’ll have knowledge of legislation, e.g. Children Act 1989 and 2004, Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes Regulations & Quality Standards 2015, safeguarding policies & procedures as well as an understanding of child development & providing practical care of young people.
With basic IT skills and the ability to use software packages such as Word, Excel, Outlook, you’ll be able to write reports, complete observation notes and maintain accurate records on databases. With strong evaluation and observation skills as well as good communication skills, you’ll have the ability to ascertain needs and wishes, to ensure that care plans meet the diverse needs of young people.
You’ll have level 2 NVQ or Diploma Child Care qualification, or 5 GCSE’s (A to C) including English, or equivalent qualifications.
Under the Equality Act 2010, you must be aged 21 and over.
Due to the nature of this role, you'll be subject to an enhanced DBS and qualifications checks.
What we can offer you
As well as the satisfaction of helping to improve thousands of lives across Leicester, you can look forward to a work environment that encourages a healthy work/life balance. You’ll enjoy generous annual leave, membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme. We’ll also give you the chance to develop your skills and expertise with a variety of training and development opportunities. In addition, you can choose from a number of flexible benefits, including childcare vouchers, discounts on city buses and trains and help with relocation to Leicester, where appropriate.
Join us
We’re committed to recruiting a diverse and highly-talented workforce as we continue to build a council that is fitting and representative of our great city. That’s why we’ve designed our recruitment process to put you at your ease, make you feel welcome and bring the best out of you. We’ll do all we can to make our recruitment process as fair as possible.
For an informal discussion about this post, please contact Mike Evans on 0116 454 4501 or Sue Aldridge on 0116 454 4813.
This is an open advert therefore we will complete the short-listing soon after receiving your application. If short-listed, you'll be called for an assessment and/or interview thereafter.