Care Worker

Support Worker (Station house)

Reports to:

Team Leader/Service manager

Liaising with:

Young people, Team Leader, Support worker, Service manager, Social workers, teachers. Tutors, stakeholders

Main Purpose:

The Support Worker role in LINKS SW provides a unique opportunity to support young people in a homely environment. Support Workers play a key role in improving outcomes for young people by sharing their skills and learning with their colleagues and the young people within the environment. A solid understanding of the needs of young people and the effects of trauma on them is also essential to this role. You will be expected to keep accurate up to date records of day to day events, care plans, placement plans, medication records, risk assessments and have excellent communication skills with young people and professionals alike. In keeping these records you will also be expected to support the young people to engage in education, work or activity that is highlighted in their plans, and provide opportunities for them to succeed in their goals. Young people may at times exhibit 'challenging behaviour'. This needs to be managed carefully and positive
reinforcement used to address such behaviours.

CPD is a vital part of this role, and staying up to date with regular E-learning and face to face training is fundamental. Across a 12 month period there is an expectation to attend a minimum of 24 hours face to face training within your own time.

Carry out the professional duties of a support worker based within a Children's care home in accordance with the provisions policies, procedures and Statement of Purpose under the supervision of the management. Support the progress care and independence of young people in accordance with the statement of purpose

Carry out the duties covered in the job description and person specification.

The postholder will be expected to undertake duties in line with the professional standards for regulated children's homes

Support and care for young people, and ensure that planning, preparation, recording, assessment and reporting meet their varying independence, social and care needs.

Maintain the positive ethos and core values of Links SW

Main responsibilities of the post:

Support young people to make positive choices

Build and develop positive and professional relationships with the young people who reside here

Have a sound and regularly updated knowledge of the safeguarding process for children and young people

Provide a range of positive opportunities for young people to engage in

Accurately maintain records, placement plans, care plans and any other documentation relevant to the post

Work in a flexible manner where necessary

Learn and work within the boundaries of the Ofsted childrens home regulations and their quality standards

Adhere to all the policies set out within Links SW

Always act as an appropriate role model to young people and around young people

Use approved methods of behaviour management that are part of the 'Trauma Informed' practice

Maintain the upkeep of the house by completing regular general housework tasks

Maintain CPD and fulfil the 12 month training obligation as highlighted above

Attend 1 team meeting per month outside your normal working hours

Any other duties that are appropriate to the grade of the post

Essential- Level 3 health and social care/residential childcare or equivalent (Will consider working towards)

Desirable- Evidence of continuous professional development

Experience:

Essential- Min 2 years experience in childcare, residential care, youth work or equivalent

Desirable- Experience working with young people with a range of complex needs, Professional understanding of safeguarding within a childcare setting, Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Knowledge and skills:

Essential- Good understanding of trauma informed based approaches such as PACE/Motivational interviewing, Good understanding of the safeguarding process for adults children and young people, Understanding of various protocols such as missing persons, incident reporting, substance misuse and harm reduction

Desirable- Conflict resolution skills

Personal attributes:

Essential- The individual is of integrity and good character, A desire to learn and to support young people to become independent, Ability to work as part of a team

Desirable- Ability to work independently, Self motivated and driven to make change,

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)


Experience:

• care: 2 years (required)


Language:

• English (preferred)


Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)
  
  LINKS South West LTD is a new childrens residential care providor based in the centre of Plymouth. We are a small independent provision supporting care experienced young people.


This is a beautiful and well maintained 3 bedroom provision that provides top quality care for young people who use our provision.

The provision is staffed with a minimum of 2 staff to a maximum of 3 young people. This provision prides itself in maintaining a homeley family based environment for young people, supporting them to engage in education, with a view to develop and promote independence for our young people who are aged over 16.

We assist with breakfast, lunch, packed lunches, dinner and supper, assist with daily routines, and take young people out on enriching and engaging activities, as well as encourgaing engagement with local activities and offers. We offer support with engaging in post 16 education, training and employment, and moving on plans.

Pulled from the full job description

• Casual dress


• Company pension


• Discounted or free food


• Employee discount


• Sick pay, Shifts do include a sleep in however these are paid as an enhancement at £96 per sleep to reflect hourly rate if woken in the night, however this is at present very uncommon., Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent


Pay: From £20,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress


• Company pension


• Discounted or free food


• Employee discount


• Sick pay


Day range:

• Monday to Friday


• Weekends only


Physical setting:

• Care home


• Residential home


Shift:

• Day shift


• Night shift