Children/Young Person Support Worker Self Employed L36

Job Description - Residential Children/Young Person Support Worker

Supporting Happy Hearts Ltd is seeking compassionate and dedicated support workers to join our team in providing a safe, nurturing and positive environment for children and young people in our residential home. We are committed to empowering our residents, helping them to develop essential life skills and reach their full potential.

As a support Worker, you will play a vital role in the daily lives of the children and young people we support. You will provide practical and emotional support fostering a sense of belonging and promoting their well-being.

About us

Supporting Happy Hearts will offer a range of services tailored to the specific needs of each child, including:

Safe and secure accommodation: Providing a comfortable and secure living environment with appropriate facilities and amenities.

24/7 care and support: Offering round-the-clock care and support from a team of qualified and experienced staff.

Therapeutic interventions: Providing specialised therapeutic interventions to address children's emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs.

Educational support: Assisting children with their education, including homework help, tutoring, and support with school transitions.

Life skills development: Teaching essential life skills such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting, and independent living skills.

Family support and engagement: Encouraging and supporting family involvement in the child's care.

Therapeutic activities: Providing opportunities for children to engage in therapeutic activities such as art therapy, music therapy, and play therapy.

Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and therapeutic environment for children and young people aged 11-17 who are experiencing significant emotional, social, and behavioural difficulties.

Purpose of the Post

To provide advice, assistance and support to young people by providing

practical, physical and emotional needs support.

To act as an appropriate role model and to work closely with young people to enable them to address their difficulties and achieve their optimum potential.

Equal Opportunities

All young people and staff will be treated fairly regarding Equality and Diversity in line with the Equality Act 2010

Supporting Happy Hearts has an Equality and Diversity Policy which all staff will be trained on.

Team Leaders are responsible for promoting equal opportunities.

Accountable To

Team Leaders, Registered Manager and Responsible Person

Individual Specific Duties and Responsibilities

To maintain a high quality of care and support which meets the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and cultural needs of children and young people within the care of Supporting Happy Hearts Ltd. Working from the guidelines from the 1989 Children's Act, National Minimum Standards, Every Child Matters and any other relevant legislation.

To provide a caring, supportive and nurturing environment in which children/young people can feel secure and free from harm.

Establishing positive relationships with young people and always offering them unconditional and positive regard.

Helping young people gain self-control by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding acceptable, pro-social conduct.

Ensuring that each young person's care plan is followed and amended as appropriate to reflect their changing needs

Attending to practical matters in relation to childcare (cooking, cleaning, general maintenance around the home etc)

To act as a key worker or co-worker for a young person to ensure that the young person's care plans are up to date and that all their care needs are being met. To provide a positive role model to be able to offer advice, guidance and assistance where appropriate.

Establishing relationships which young people perceive to be positive, warm and rewarding

Providing advice, assistance and support on a 1:1 basis to enable young people to address past and present difficulties

Providing emotional support at times of difficulty or stress

Being ambitious for young people, helping them achieve their goals and optimise their potential

Providing support for young people in their education and extracurricular activities, this may include supporting them in the classroom if necessary

Keeping accurate records and providing written reports on young people for planning meetings, reviews or any other meetings as directed by the line manager

Empowering young people and facilitating their active involvement in the decision making about their lives and future

Acting as an advocate at meetings where the young person is the subject of discussion

Encouraging the young person to develop links with the community, attend off-site activities and expand their personal social network to work as part of a team

Being aware of the aims and objectives of the home and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve them

Attending team/ staff meetings and making a positive contribution to them

Actively contributing to the development of the team

Receiving and storing information to improve communication

Being willing to give and receive feedback on performance with colleagues and managers

Being aware of childcare plans for all young people and providing support for colleagues by maintaining consistency in the execution of those plans

Providing informal practical and emotional support to colleagues experiencing difficulties

Attending and contributing to regular supervision sessions in line with the National Minimum Standards

Monitoring the conduct of colleagues and referring on any causes for concern (Whistleblowing)

Being familiar with all policies and procedures and adhering to them

General Responsibilities

Attending young people's meetings and contributing to them

Driving company vehicles (current driving licence holders subject to procedures)

Receiving training appropriate to the role and maintaining an up-to-date training profile

Responsibility for the accurate maintenance of financial records appropriate to the duties of the post

Responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of self and colleagues in accordance with the requirements of the organisational Health and Safety Policies

This post requires the holder to do varying shifts, which include early morning and late evening work, sleep-in and an on-call rota system. The post holder also is required to work weekends as part of a rota and Bank Holidays when required. Sleeping-in duties are also required for which an additional payment is made.

On occasions you may be requested to change your rota at a given notice as per your contract, to ensure the contingencies of the service are covered. This may also include covering an additional sleep-in duty as an emergency measure.

In accordance with the guidelines on Health and Safety, to accept responsibility for working within these guidelines and reporting any concerns to the Registered Manager.

To undertake such other duties appropriate to the grade of the post and the needs of the Home such as decorating, gardening in order to develop and maintain service delivery.

This post requires the holder to have a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Changes to personal circumstances which may affect this must be notified to your line manager immediately.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria (Candidates MUST demonstrate these):

Qualifications and Training:

A minimum of NVQ level 2 or equivalent in Health and Social Care- Willing to work towards NVQ Level 3.

Ability to work both day shifts and night shifts.

Up to date knowledge of safeguarding children's procedures and practices.

Current first aid/ Basic Life Support certification.

Experience:

Proven experience of working with children and young people, preferably in a support role.

Experience of maintaining accurate records.

Skills and Abilities:

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with children, families and professionals.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.

Strong organisational and time management skills.

Ability to remain calm and composed in challenging situations.

Ability to understand and adhere to confidentiality policies and procedures.

Demonstrated ability to follow care plans and risk assessments.

Ability to use a computer for record keeping and communication.

Knowledge:

Understanding of child development and the factors that can affect children's well-being.

Knowledge of relevant legislation and policies relating to children and families.

Understanding of equality and diversity principles.

Personal Attributes:

A genuine passion for working with children and making a positive difference in their lives.

Patience, empathy and a non-judgmental approach.

Reliability, flexibility and a positive attitude.

A commitment to on going professional development.

Desirable Criteria:

Qualifications and Training:

Further qualifications in specific areas, such as behavioural management, conflict resolution or family support.

Experience:

Experience of working with children in a specific setting, such as a school, social care or community centre.

Experience of working with families in a crisis click apply for full job details