Scope of the post:
As a Senior Children’s Support Worker, you will provide high-quality care and support to children and young people in our home. You will play a key role in leading a team of support workers, ensuring the well-being and development of each child, and promoting a positive, inclusive environment. Embed our ethos of shared core values, delivering high-quality holistic care.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Supervise and support staff, providing guidance and mentoring to ensure high standards of care.
- Assist in training new staff and facilitate ongoing professional development.
- Work closely with children to support their daily living activities, personal care, and development of life skills.
- Implement individual care plans, regularly reviewing and updating them in collaboration with the team.
- Provide emotional support and encouragement to children, helping them manage their behaviours and develop coping strategies working with managers and children to develop a personal Positive behaviour plan.
- Use their positive behaviour plan to promote a safe and supportive environment.
- Plan and facilitate engaging recreational and educational activities that cater to the individual interests and needs of each child.
- Encourage participation in group activities to promote social skills and teamwork.
- Maintain accurate records of children’s progress, incidents, and daily activities, contributing to reports and assessments.
- Support the implementation of quality assurance measures to enhance service delivery.
- Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, safeguarding policies, and Ofsted regulations to maintain a safe environment for children and staff.
- Report any concerns regarding health, safety, or well-being to the management team promptly.
- Work in partnership with colleagues, inside and outside the organisation to ensure positive communication for all involved in the care of the child.
- Work with outside agencies to help and provide support for the children in our care.
- Ensure staff are working to their full potential, observing and providing guidance where knowledge gaps appear.
- Promote the core values of the home, embedding them in the culture of the staff and everything we do.
- Step in, at times for the deputy, attend meetings, and appointments for the benefit of the children and the home
- Support the Registered manager and the Deputy in the smooth running of the home.
- Contribute to the home’s development plan and direction of the vision of the home to be “outstanding”.
- Work within the parameters of safeguarding, acting accordingly with whistleblowing, safeguarding, and complaints are raised.
Person Specification: Senior Children’s Support Worker.
Essential Qualifications, Knowledge and Skills:
- Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent
- Previous experience working with children in a residential setting, (at least 1 year) particularly those with learning disabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team, with experience in supervision or mentoring roles.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with children, families, and professionals.
- Experience with positive behaviour management strategies and techniques.
- Ability to drive, and have a clean licence
Personal Attributes:
- Empathetic and Understanding: A strong commitment to advocating for children’s rights and needs.
- Proactive and Innovative: Ability to think creatively and implement new ideas for service enhancement.
- Ethical and Professional: High standards of integrity and professionalism in all aspects of work.
- Compassionate and Patient: A genuine desire to support and advocate for children with learning disabilities.
- Resilient: Ability to manage challenging situations and maintain a positive, solution-focused attitude.
- Organized: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.
- Reflective Practitioner: Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development, willing to learn from experiences.
Desirable Criteria:
- Further Qualifications: Additional training related to learning disabilities, autism, or therapeutic approaches.
- Crisis Management Skills: Experience in managing challenging behaviours and crisis situations effectively.
- Cultural Competence: Sensitivity to the diverse needs of children from various backgrounds.
- Administrative Skills: Proficiency in maintaining records and documentation with strong attention to detail.