Home Care Support Worker - Children

Job introduction

We are currently recruiting for a Home Care Support Worker, permanent contract for 37 hours per week.

Do you have some experience of working with children with learning disabilities?

Are you looking for a rewarding, varied role where each day can offer a fresh challenge?

Are you passionate about making a real difference to someones life?

If so then we would like to hear from you.

Interview date: Monday 6th April 2020

For an informal discussion, please contact Vikki Witham- (Practice Manager) on 01273 295194

About the role

About us

At Drove Road we provide a mixture of short breaks and full-time placements for up to eight children and young people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour at one time between the ages of 8 and 18. Our dedicated team of staff works hard to create a positive, safe, stimulating and homely environment in which each young persons specific needs are met and they are supported to develop and learn new skills while having fun. Particular emphasis is given to those skills that promote independence.

Our recent Ofsted inspection rated the overall service as Outstanding and remarked that Children receive excellent care and support from a team of staff dedicated to improving their quality of life. Comprehensive essential life plans provide the staff with a clear outline of the children's needs and of how they can be met. As a result, the staff know the children extremely well and work together to help them achieve their goals.

The report also made specific reference to the managers at Drove Road stating that they Safeguarding children is seen as a priority. Managers are committed to maintaining high staffing ratios despite the pressure this places on resources. This means that the children get the support they need. The managers are very child focused in their approach. They act as good role models and the staff spoken to described them as very supportive and hands on. This contributes directly to the high standard of care.

You will also need to be able to work a four-week rolling rota as follows:

Early shifts: 7.00 am to 2.30 pm (until 11.00 am in term time)

Late shifts: 2.00 pm to 9.30 or 10.00 pm.

This full time rota will require you to work 3 out of 4 weekends.

N.B. if your availability does not fit this criteria we would still be interested in hearing from you as we may have other roles available. Please call or email for more details.

Working for us

We can offer you:

• a generous salary
• time and a half for working at weekends, double time for working on a bank holiday or time and a third for working at night (between 8pm and 6am)
• additional payment for sleep-in duty
• the opportunity to volunteer to work extra shifts
• a career average pension scheme
• generous holiday up to 25 days a year
• regular supervision meetings and fortnightly team meetings plus
• a fantastic range of other staff benefits - you can get discounts with high street retailers such as Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer, Argos and Boots as well as cinemas, local attractions and holiday companies via our external benefits provider

About the role

You will join a large team of committed staff in supporting the young people living or staying at Drove Road, many of whom have Autism with associated challenging behaviour and complex needs. You will help them to participate in all aspects of daily life and to develop their skills so that they can maintain as much independence as possible. The work will involve:

• supporting with intimate personal care where required
• ensuring individuals physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are met and optimising opportunities for play, leisure and learning pursuits
• undertaking a range of domestic tasks including cleaning, shopping, providing freshly prepared meals etc.
• planning, organising and participating in a range of stimulating activities both at Drove Road and within the wider community e.g. swimming, walking, bus and train journeys, parties, visits to the cinema, bowling, shopping, etc.
• assisting with the administration of medication
• using various communication tools to help residents express themselves
• maintaining records
• creating and maintaining relationships with family members, carers and friends
• keeping yourself and others safe during time of challenging behaviour.

About you

You will need to have:

• QCF Level 3 or Apprenticeship in Residential Childcare (or equivalent qualification) or be willing to obtain this qualification within 2 years of starting the job
• some understanding of childcare or child development
• good written, number and organisational skills
• the ability to work on your own initiative and think quickly in a difficult situation
• the ability to work as part of a team
• the ability to meet the physical, emotional and mental demands of the job e.g. be able to use restrictive interventions when necessary