Job Description

A fantastic opportunity has come up to work with our client, a bright, fun-loving and kind-hearted 12-year-old girl, with special needs, in her family's home (in Tring, Hertfordshire). The family are seeking *female children's support worker(s) to provide waking night care, up to five nights per week.

Our client has cerebral palsy, with an associated speech and swallowing difficulty and a variable level of mobility. She relies on adults to support her communication, ensure her safety whilst moving around and to support her with more challenging aspects of daily living. She resides with her parents and younger siblings, in their home, which is a non-smoking environment. Her parents work closely with the care team, are supportive of all care efforts, and are warm and inviting.

The primary role is to be available overnight to support the client with her health and well-being needs. This can include assisting the client with her personal care, supporting with repositioning during the night or attending to acute medical needs. Alongside ensuring our clients wellbeing and safety overnight, you will support her by carrying out household tasks to ensure her day ahead starts smoothly and is well prepared for. You will also assist with supporting our client to get herself ready for bed and for her day with regards to washing, dressing, eating breakfast and readying to leave home for school. A flexible approach is essential as there may be an element of cross-cover of parents in supporting our client's younger siblings to get ready for school too.

We are offering competitive pay rates and are eager to find individuals who are interested in joining the team long term, as maintaining continuity of care and building trust is crucial for our client and her family. This is a highly fulfilling position where you will be supported with initial competency training as well as regular supervision. There are opportunities for on-going training and a pathway to building expertise in care, supporting children with a neuro-disability.

Hours:

Waking night-time shift: 8pm - 8am (12 hours per shift) 5 nights per week

2 or 3 shifts per week, so 24 or 36 hours.

There will be opportunities for additional hours and overtime.

In non-term time, the days/hours will be expected to be worked flexibly to meet the needs of the client

Rates of Pay:

Monday to Friday 14-18 per hour

Weekends 16 - 20 per hour

Bank holidays: 1.5 times weekday hourly rate

The rate of pay will be depending on experience.

Person Specification

Reliable, nurturing and flexible Full Clean UK Driving License Experience of working with children; ideal children with cerebral palsy, speech and swallowing difficulties Experience of working in a private family home would be beneficial but an appreciation of the sensitivity, respect and privacy of working within a home environment is essential Happy to work in a home with pet dogs and not be allergic to animals Willingness to attend all relevant training sessions and meetings as required Willingness to engage and have regular contact, including supervision, with the case manager Open to accompanying the family on holiday both in the UK and abroad; Happy to fulfil client-related household tasks; Ability to offer flexibility with working times and hours to help support with periods of sickness or annual leave within the team; Excellent communication skills including a high standard of written and spoken English and being proficient in record keeping comfortable with basic IT skills; Ensure opportunity is given to participate in activities as identified by client / parent; Encourage the client's independence as far as possible; Be aware of the client's vulnerability and take precautions to protect it; Ability to keep calm in a stressful environment and responds well to instructions when given You should enjoy working alongside others as part of a small team, yet also be able to self-direct tasks and activities with our client; An ability to follow care plans and risk assessments as well as routine plans To fully support all aspects of the child's ongoing rehabilitation as set out by our child's treating therapists and professionals. To maintain a safe environment for the child; To report immediately to the employer, and the case manager any concerns regarding the child's medical, physical or psychological health, and to record this appropriately. All matters relating to our child's situation and family are to be treated as confidential and are not to be disclosed to a third party under any circumstance. To adhere to CQC compliance in relation to delivery of care and support. A No smoking policy is strictly in place To adhere to Covid-19 guidelines and risk assessments.
Employment to these roles will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. If you have the qualifications, experience and commitment we are looking for, please apply with your CV and covering letter in the first instance. You will be contacted and invited for interview after successful shortlisting.

*This is an Equal Opportunities Employer, however, due to the nature of the position, this post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Part 1 Schedule 9. In this instance there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement to recruit a female.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 14.00-20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 24 - 36 per week

Benefits:

On-site parking
Application question(s):

Do you hold a valid Driving licence
Experience:

working with children with complex health needs: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person