Job Description

Children Matter in Medway - that was the feedback following the Inspection by Ofsted of Medway's Children's Services, who were recently rated 'GOOD'.


Medway Council has recognised the need to build upon the current in-house services and develop its own residential children's home and workforce providing a stable, caring environment where children feel safe, secure, valued, and supported.


This is an exciting opportunity to work in a new children's home. The property is set in a beautiful location in Upnor, offering the perfect setting for the home.


We have recruited a strength-based management team and are looking to the next phase of recruitment.


Our priority is to recruit a team of Support Workers, with the right values, behaviours and attitudes that match that of the management team and the wider workforce that is Medway Council. It is not essential to have direct experience of working in a children's home, but experience of working with children and young people would be beneficial.


You must have a desire to work with children and young people and want to make a positive impact on their lives. The role is challenging and rewarding, and you will need to be resilient and empathetic as well as being a positive role model.


No two days are the same, the work is varied, and the children are individuals with individual needs but as a general rule you will enjoy taking part in a wide variety of activities, encouraging of hobbies and interest, supportive of positive behaviour, show a keen interest in the children's education, promote healthy lifestyle and wellbeing, be a good listener and provide appropriate advice and guidance and encourage the development of life skills in preparation for adulthood and much more!


The working environment is exceptional, with excellent facilities including a large garden with vegetable plots and a small orchard; there is ample car parking for staff and visitors. The interior has been renovated to a high standard and provides space for children to engage in a variety of activities.


This is a fantastic opportunity to join Medway Council and all that working for a local authority has to offer. If you believe you have skills and are willing to learn and develop as a practitioner and are ready for a new challenge, we would like to hear from you.


Please note we cannot offer sponsorship for this role


Career Progression Frameworks (CPF) have been introduced for all roles at Medway Council. These frameworks provide a mechanism for employees to take ownership of their development within their post and be rewarded accordingly. This means that the salary you will be offered will be at level A unless, based on an assessment against the CPF criteria, you demonstrate that you are meeting the criteria of level B or C. There will be further opportunity once in post to progress from level A to B, and B to C.


When writing your application, it is important to ensure you identify your suitability against the requirements of the job profile, as this information will be used for shortlisting and may contribute to the CPF assessment. Your application may be rejected if the minimum required criteria is not met. Further information relating to the requirements for this role can be found in the CPF Guidance document attached.


The person specification of a job profile is split into three levels:



Level A details the essential criteria that all applicants must be able to demonstrate through their application and interview.


Level B details the developed competencies that an individual who is practised in this role would be able to demonstrate and will be a progression of knowledge, experience and skills from level A.


Level C requires the highest level of competence and applicants would need to fully meet and demonstrate all aspects of the job profile, including qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience.


Eden House are seeking to appoint Residential Support Workers. You can demonstrate knowledge, experience and skills to allow you to perform within this role. You will identify, through application, how you meet the elements detailed within the person specification, at either Level A, B or C. You will be supported to develop in your role through induction, probation and a supportive Performance Appraisal and Career Conversation. Through your induction you will be introduced to the Career Progression Framework (CPF), which will help you to identify your areas of strength and any development needs.

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About you

Educated to GCSE standard. NVQ 3 - Level 3 Diploma (QCF) qualified in Children and Young People's workforce (or equivalent) is desired but not essential, a willingness to work toward this qualification is essential. Have experience of working with children and young people Ability to develop an understanding of trauma informed care. You will hold a full driving licence. In return we offer you: Generous annual leave entitlement Generous local government pension scheme package Access to wider training and development qualifications Travel plan discounts Access to CAREFIRST advice and counselling service Employee discount scheme for national and local retailers The Government has introduced new ways of supporting parents with childcare costs. Further details are available here https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Our organisation:



Medway is a unitary authority in the South East of England, made up of the towns of Strood, Rochester, Chatham, Gillingham and Rainham and more rural areas, including Upnor and the Hoo Peninsula.



Situated in Kent in the South-East of England, the area has plenty of green spaces, excellent facilities and easy access to the national motorway and rail networks, facilitating superb transport links to London.



Working at Medway Council means that you get to be part of a workforce, working alongside talented, professional colleagues to drive forward change to transform the lives of children.

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To Apply

Please complete an online application.


If you would like to email: Jessie Hammell, leaving a contact number and Jessie will call you for an informal chat.


Jessie.Hammell@medway.gov.uk


Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview in person.


We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time prior to the closing date.


This post is subject to an enhanced Children's DBS check.


For more information on our roles within Children's Services please visit https://www.medway.gov.uk/childrenservicesjobs

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Important Information

Please note that all recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in hard copy format, please contact the Children's Services Recruitment Team on 01634 332211 or email cscrecruitment@medway.gov.uk


Please visit http://www.mindfulemployer.net/ for information on how Medway Council put good practices in place to ensure employees and job applicants who declare mental health issues receive the right level of support.

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How to apply

If you are not contacted within 3 weeks of the advert closing date then you have not been shortlisted.



All recruitment correspondence, including interview letters and contracts of employment will usually be sent out via email, if you require documentation/correspondence in different format such as braille or large print, please contact the Resourcing Team on 01634 332878.