Residential Practitioner (Support Worker for Children's home)

The Role: Residential Practitioner (Children's home) Location: South East London Salary: £25,300 (£12.16 p/h) - £28,000 (£13.46 p/h) (depending on experience) Hours: Shift based (Full Time 40+ hours/Part Time 0-hour contract available) The Role Do you possess a Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (or equivalent) or working towards it? Do you have experience of working with children and young people? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you. OwnLife Group is looking to appoint a Residential Practitioner / Support Worker to join our team. Reporting to the manager, you will be responsible for safeguarding and promoting young people’s welfare in accordance with the Children’s Homes Regulations (2015) and Quality Standards. This role is offered on a full time and permanent contract or bank (zero hours) contract. If you are keen on joining this exciting, forward-thinking company and taking the next step in your career, then please click the apply now button to find out more. Please note, you will be required to complete an application form as the next step in this process should you be shortlisted, in line with our safer recruitment policy. The Company: OwnLife Group is an independent organisation committed to providing children and young people with a caring environment in which they can achieve independence and fulfil their personal goals. We have a number of residential homes, semi-independent and outreach units across South East London. Our name reflects our aim which is to inspire the children and young people placed in our care to “own” and take control of their “own lives”. Young people are most likely to realise these goals if they are treated with respect and dignity and share with their carers, high expectations for the future. We believe our staff deserve the same quality of life and we ensure this by supporting them so that they, in turn, can support the young people in their care and their own families at the same time. Key Responsibilities: The key responsibilities of a Residential Practitioner, but are not limited to: * Ensure the Home is safe and secure (safeguarding children) * Ensure that the environment is homely, welcoming, clean, tidy and well maintained. Share responsibility with colleagues for the practical and domestic tasks necessary for the effective operation of the Home, including shopping, cleaning, laundry and food preparation * Work within the code of confidentiality and ensure that records in the Home are stored in a manner which is compliant with regulations * Understand and proactively respond to each young person’s needs and requirements. Ensuring that there are clear, consistent and appropriate boundaries for young people * Place the well-being of individual young people at the centre of their practice, irrespective of the challenges they may present * Act as a designated keyworker/co-keyworker. This includes completing detailed records and reports as required; presenting these in writing or verbally to other relevant professionals. Undertake all other associated keyworker duties * Undertake administrative duties to support the residents of the Home, using the company’s electronic systems * Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development through attendance and participation in team meetings, supervision, training and conferences etc. * Consistently promote the professional image of the Home through positive contact with external professionals, young people’s families and other relevant persons * Liaise with the young person’s family and social worker and other relevant professionals, and work in partnership to fulfil the requirements of relevant plans. The Person: The key skills and qualities of a Residential Practitioner: * Experience of working with children and young people (11-18 years old) * Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare / equivalent or working towards * Ability to engage young people, meet their physical and psychological needs * Ability to work in partnership with other professionals and with the parent(s) carer(s) of the young people in our care * Understanding of professional boundaries with young people * Ability to work in a team * Good numeracy and literacy skills OwnLife Group is committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people and expects all of its employees to share this commitment. This post is exempt under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced check by the Disclosure & Barring Service