Reading, Surrey, United Kingdom
£30,800 - £32,880
Permanent
Residential Support Worker - Children’s Home
Location: Reading, United Kingdom
Job Overview
We are seeking a Residential Support Worker to join a children's home team, providing professional care, guidance, and support to young people during their stay. The role is integral in delivering a scaffolding care approach to assist with life skills, education, and emotional development within a therapeutic ethos.
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Contract: Full-time, Permanent
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Hours: 40 hours per week plus required sleep-in duties (available as overtime).
Key Responsibilities and Duties
You will be professionally accountable for providing necessary activities, support, care, and guidance within the home and the environment beyond.
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Daily Support: Assist young people in developing high standards of personal hygiene, making appropriate nutritional choices, and managing their appearance.
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Health & Medication: Administer medication in accordance with policies and procedures, and accompany young people to all necessary medical appointments.
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Behaviour Management: Follow the ‘Emotional and Behavioural Response Plan’ to support young people in managing challenging behaviours.
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Activities & Engagement: Actively encourage and support leisure and meaningful activities both inside and outside the home, including trips and holidays away, based on individual interests.
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Environment: Ensure the home is secure, clean, and well-presented, undertaking domestic chores and relevant health and safety checks.
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Record Keeping & Compliance: Record accurately and professionally. Work with the Registered Manager to ensure the home operates in full accordance with all statutory, regulatory, and standard requirements, including Quality Standards and Ofsted regulations.
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Key Working: Act as a Key Worker for individual children, contributing to review and planning meetings.
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Team Work: Participate on a shift basis by rota, demonstrating commitment and flexibility.
Safeguarding Responsibilities (Crucial)
The organisation is committed to safeguarding, protecting, and promoting the welfare of children. Your safeguarding duties include:
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Knowing and adhering to the safeguarding policy and procedures.
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Being trained in identifying signs of harm and abuse.
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Responding immediately to any young person to keep them safe.
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Knowing what to do if a young person makes a disclosure or an allegation of harm against staff or others.
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Maintaining accurate, objective records of concerns or incidents, and completing body maps as required.
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Being prepared to attend Strategy Meetings and Child Protection Case Conferences.
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Maintaining young people's confidentiality at all times.
Required Knowledge, Qualifications, and Skills
Essential:
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Qualifications: Commitment to achieve NVQ Level 3 Children and Young People.
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Knowledge: Understand child development and children’s physical and emotional needs. Understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures.
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Skills & Attributes: Clean Driving Licence. Able to communicate clearly and effectively (verbal/written). Computer literate (Word, Excel and Outlook). Able to work under pressure with Patience and Resilience. Commitment and flexibility to the role.
Desirable:
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Qualifications: Diploma Level 3 Residential Child Care or Diploma Level 4 Children and Young People Family Practitioner.
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Experience & Knowledge: Experience working with children and young people in a residential setting. Understanding of therapeutic approaches. Knowledge of Children’s Home Regulations (2015).
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Skills & Attributes: Creative outlook on outcome and evidence-based practice. Able to prioritise workload and responsibilities.
Additional Benefits
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Training & Development: 100% Training funded by the employer, a comprehensive induction program, and Therapeutic Training and consultation for all staff.
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Career Progression: Clear career progression for all roles.
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Financial & Perks: 1 Free DBS Check, Refer a friend bonus scheme up to £500.00, Casual Dress, and Team building events.
