Residential Care Worker (Children’s Home)

Main purpose of job:

To provide high standards of nurturing care to children and young people, aged eight to sixteen years, who have experienced traumatic life experiences, and who present with emotional and behavioural difficulties. To use therapeutic parenting approaches to care for children and young people to help them reach their full potential.

Main duties and responsibilities:

1. To recognise, respond to, record, and refer any safeguarding concerns in line with the home’s and local authorities Safeguarding Policies.
2. To ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people is paramount in everyday practice.
3. To work in line with each child/ young person’s risk assessment and behavioural support plans.
4. To use therapeutic parenting techniques in daily practice (including Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy, PACE).
5. To recognise and meet children and young people’s individual needs.
6. To develop and maintain healthy relationships with children and young people.
7. To support children and young people to develop/ maintain healthy relationships.
8. To value and nurture children and young people, enabling them to reach their own potential.
9. To promote good health and well-being for all children and young people.
10. To provide supervision for the young people, throughout the night.
11. To treat each child and young person with dignity and respect.
12. To promote inclusion and equal opportunities for all and challenge any behaviour or practice which discriminates against any child/ young person, colleague, or other individual on the grounds of race, religion or belief, disability, age, gender, gender re-assignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation, or any other perceived difference.
13. To help each child/ young person to express their views, wishes and feelings; and advocate for them when needed.
14. To support and encourage children/ young people to be central to their care planning.
15. To support children and young people with their evening and morning routines.
16. Where appropriate, and as agreed with the team around the child, to offer on-going contact or support to young people that have left the home.
17. To support the young people to engage in hobbies, interests, and new experiences at the home and in the community.
18. To actively promote and support each child/ young person’s education, training, or employment.
19. To help each child/ young person to develop resilience and skills that prepare them for adulthood.
20. To contribute to cleaning and maintenance at the home.
21. To ensure that health and safety regulations are complied with including environmental health and fire regulations.
22. To ensure that the home environment is maintained to promote a sense of order, safety, and well-being, as well as a sense of pride.
23. To report immediately to management any health and safety issues with the house.
24. By the relevant date to have attained the Level 4 Diploma in for Residential Childcare; or a qualification that the registered provider considers to be equivalent.
25. To undertake any other training and professional development as directed by the registered manager.
26. To have good working knowledge of and comply with the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015; the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards (April 2015); and Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018).
27. To engage in monthly supervision sessions with the named supervisor; and to use supervisions for self-reflection of practice, reactions, and triggers.
28. To record any incidents in line with the home’s Incident Reporting Policy.
29. To participate in any meetings at the home or at other agencies as required.
30. To deal with email and telephone enquiries as required.
31. To maintain a professional liaison and co-operate with external agencies e.g., Local Authorities, YOS, doctors, hospitals, police, consultancy staff and others concerned with the welfare of the children/ young people.
32. To contribute to children/ young people’s placement plans, reports and risk assessments as required.
33. To maintain accurate children/ young people’s files, as directed by management.
34. To apply the home’s Statement of Purpose.
35. Engage in a variety of de-escalation techniques or as a last resort, apply restraint (PRICE)
36. To manage any financial transactions for the home as directed by the Manager.
37. To participate in the general activities of the home and to use any personal skills you may have to maximise opportunity for each young person.
38. To work flexible hours in response to the needs of the home.
39. To provide role modelling, guidance, mentoring.
40. To carry out any other duties that may be reasonably requested.
41. To work as part of a team, contributing to meetings and care plans.
42. To create a warm, loving, safe and homely environment.

The above job description forms part of your main terms and conditions of employment, although does not include or define all tasks. The registered provider reserves the right to vary duties and responsibilities at any time.