Job Description

*Please note:

- Waltham Children Services Ltd do not offer sponsorship

.

- Clacton on Sea is working location.

Transforming the Lives of Children and Young People in Care

Are you passionate about supporting children who have not had the greatest start to their life, which has ultimately resulted in them being subject to being placed in care?

Are you passionate about re-parenting, using guidance and support to enable children to grow, develop in all aspects of their lives to develop into a positive and independent adult?

If this sounds like something you are passionate about then we have an amazing opportunity for you to join Waltham Children Services, where we will be providing just that in the Clacton on Sea area.

We are a brand-new home and can accommodate and provide full-time care for up to two children/young people between the ages of eight to eighteen, who have learning difficulties and/or experienced significant trauma in their past, consequently developing Social, Emotional, Mental Health and/or Behavioural Difficulties (SEMH & EBD) and ultimately leading them to be a child in care.

We are looking for passionate, empathetic and committed individuals who are motivated to be the safe, trusting and fun adults that all children need.

With our supportive, nurturing environment and approach we want to make their home a positive one where they can learn new skills and experiences, develop life skills (such as cooking, budgeting, planning etc) and broaden their horizons. Creating an environment where young people can build appropriate relationships, learn to cope with their feelings, enjoy and thrive. This approach creates a family environment that places a focus on building self-esteem and confidence of the child and young person so that they can achieve their full potential and aspirations in a setting where they truly feel safe and cared for.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:

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 Blasford House.

Working from the guidelines from the 1989 Children's Act, National Minimum Standards, Every Child Matters, The Children Home Regulations 2015 and any other relevant legislation.

To provide a caring, supportive and nurturing environment in which children/young people can feel secure, safe and free from harm.

Establishing positive relationships with young people and always offering them unconditional and positive regard.

Helping young people to understand and manage their emotions and behaviours by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding acceptable, pro-social conduct.

Ensuring that each young person's care plan is followed and to highlight to seniors/managers when amendments are needed 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 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 act as 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 and 2:1 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 classrooms/outdoor/extracurricular activities.

Keeping accurate records and providing written reports on young people to support 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.

Commitment to being anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive in your approach and be able to translate this attitude into practice.

*please note the above is not an exhaustive list of duties

What makes us different from the rest?

Waltham Children Services is Highly staffed and supportive environment.

Staff will work with children on a 2 - 1 basis (maximum of 2 children). This supports us with ensuring that each child has the full attention of an adult to support them in having all of their needs met. With this, this means there are plenty of adults within the home to ensure that it is a safe, supportive and fun environment for all.

Small home in a quiet space

This supports us in being able to focus on providing a more therapeutic/family vibe for our children, whilst enabling and supporting them to gradually feel confident and safe in exploring their community and what it has to offer.

Supportive and experienced management team

The manager is a qualified and registered Social Worker who has worked within the Child protection system since 2017, with this the manager also managed another children's home which was originally rated as "requires improvement", but with their extensive experience, hands on approach and expertise, the rating was changed by Ofsted to "Good" in all areas. The Responsible Individual is also a highly experienced Social Worker with experiences of therapeutic fostering and being a director of their own children's home. They will be actively involved in running the home, building relationships with the children and guiding and supporting staff to flourish.

Be-spoke online recording system

This is easy and quick to use which will enable you to spend more quality time with the children/young people.

Extensive Training

Our goal is progress. We don't want staff to feel like this is just "another job" but a stepping stone into their career path. With a mix of online, face-to-face training and regular mentoring and reviews of professional develop plans - this will ensure you are well informed and able manage the demands of the role, all whilst supporting and enabling you to develop and progress in your career at Waltham Children Services.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer. In the management of the home no discrimination will take place in the recruitment, development, and promotion of staff.

What we Offer

Competitive pay.

Pay Scale - supporting you and us to ensure you are paid by your skills, knowledge and experience, whilst also giving you vision on how you can develop within your career and how we can support you to get there - a career path and progression in the company.

Qualifications including diplomas in Children and Young People level 3, 4 and 5 - fully funded.

A rolling rota to support your work/life balance.

Child-focused management team.

Other Benefits

28 days Annual leave

Time and half on bank holidays

Company pension

Employee mental health wellbeing service - including counselling and life coaching

Employee discount on well-known retailers, brands and holidays!

Training provided - online and face-to-face

Accredited qualifications Diploma in Children and Young People level 3, 4 and 5 - fully funded.

An opportunity to invest and develop a career

Progression within the company - we hire internal where possible.

Enhanced disclosure cost coverage

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: 12.50-14.50 per hour

Benefits:

Casual dress Company pension Free parking Health & wellbeing programme On-site parking Referral programme Store discount
Application question(s):

Experience working within child care?
Work Location: In person