Residential Child Care Worker

The Grange Therapeutic School is an independent special school for young people aged 8-18 years with SEMH difficulties. With the support of an in-house Therapy team we are able to provide a broad and balanced curriculum to up to 85 pupils at our Lower, Upper and Middle School, including a vocational curriculum and varied outdoor pursuits.

 We are looking for an enthusiastic person who will participate in all aspects of work in a residential child care setting.

You will work as part as an established team, proving a safe nurturing environment for our residential students. You will be expected to partake in activities to promote the wellbeing of our pupils, hold a full driving license and be willing to drive our school vehicles. You will have responsibilities for particular pupils as their Keyworker. You will be required to ‘sleep-in’ on a rota basis, for which an allowance will be paid.

We would welcome applications from experienced Care Workers but would also consider anyone wishing to develop a career in child care. If you do not already have a NVQ3 in Health and Social Care / Level 3 Diploma (Children & Young People’s Workforce) you will be expected to begin working towards this award within 3 months of commencing work with us.

You will work a 42.5 hour per week, which will include alternate Sunday evenings and you will be entitled to all school holidays. You will be supported and supervised by a Team Leader and will be joining an experienced and established team.

The Grange School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS and other pre-employment checks. CVs will not be accepted and a completed application form must be submitted.

JOB TITLE:                          Residential Child Care Worker

LOCATION:                         The Grange Therapeutic School

REPORTING TO:                Principal Care Team Leader        

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To work as part of a team contributing effectively to the safe and proper organisation of a residential group of pupils, and to provide support to the Team Leader in management. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

             a)      To work as part of a team to ensure proper care and supervision of pupils within a residential group. Ensure an emotionally and physically safe and secure environment for children

             b)      To work as a staff member within the team to support the Team Leader and other residential workers in their role

c)       To undertake directed individual work with some pupils and their parents

d)      To maintain records as directed by school policies

e)      To help in the preparation of care plans and reports for reviews and other meetings. 

MAIN DUTIES:

• Provide children with opportunities for social integration and the development of independence skills
• Work as a designated ‘Personal Support Worker’ for named pupils
• Liaise with other staff, parents of pupils, Social Workers and other professionals
• Write daily records and contribute to verbal and written reports
• Have knowledge of the school’s 24 hour curriculum and be committed to supporting children in achieving their targets
• Take responsibility for the care and appropriate use of school resources
• Maintain good housekeeping standards within the house environment through routines and domestic care tasks
• Administering medication in accordance with school guidelines
• Transportation of children, as driver and/or as an escort
• Attending and contributing to internal and external meetings as required
• Show commitment to personal and professional development, e.g. through supervision and training.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:

Personal characteristics –

• Have enthusiasm and commitment to working with children and young people
• The ability to communicate with children and young people
• The ability to manage and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour
• To be a good team member
• To work on own initiative and unsupervised
• Demonstrate own skills and abilities in providing out-of-school activities for young people
• Ability to produce an appropriate standard of reporting and recording, both written and electronically
• To demonstrate resilience and reliability
• To demonstrate your commitment to the safeguarding of our pupils
• A personal commitment to anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive care practices.

The Grange Therapeutic School is an Equal Opportunities employer.  We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff to share this commitment.  This commitment to robust recruitment, selection and induction procedures extends to organisations and services linked to the school on its behalf.  An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Certificate is required prior to commencement of this post.