Residential Social Care Worker

(To include one weekend in every four on a rota basis, with some flexibility required. Also includes sleep-ins)

[NJC pt. 8/9-17 (£19,945/£20,344 - £23,836)

 The William Henry Smith School is a non-maintained residential special school for boys aged 5-19 experiencing complex Social, Emotional, and Mental Health challenges (SEMH). Our students have a breadth of special educational needs, including learning difficulty and disability. We are a not for profit charitable organisation providing ‘Ofsted Outstanding’ education, therapy and care. Our vision is to ensure opportunities for success are provided through a diverse programme of bespoke individual learning pathways and life skills across the 24 hour curriculum which serve to develop resilience and skills for life-long learning, happiness and an improved quality of life. The school has a strong ethos and culture, built upon firm foundations that underpins all our work on improving quality of life outcomes for our students and their families, through our strong focus on keyworking, developing relationships with students and partnerships with parents and carers. 

“The staff are talented and have a wide range of experience. They use a broad range of research and evidence-based practice to help pupils overcome diverse and complex barriers to their development”. (Ofsted 2019)

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated and enthusiastic Residential Social Care Workers, with excellent communication skills and the ability to form strong relationships with children and young people. The successful candidate will enjoy being part of an energetic and successful care team; be physically fit; be keen to provide varied social learning experiences; be involved in education, health and care planning, report writing and, enjoy the challenge of working with some very special complex young people. The successful candidate will play an active part within the 24 hour curriculum, supporting learning in both the care and classroom settings and offer proactive support to young people and their families. They will work closely with the school’s therapy/communication team, with the support of Learning Mentor Teams, which serve to provide holistic and creative wrap around care and support for all our young people. There is a whole school expectation that all staff play an integral part in our keyworking structure which is embedded within our quality of life values and ethos.

The school:

• Offers a full induction programme, including an outstanding network of support 

• Has a commitment to learning, development and CPD

• Has a care environment of the highest quality having been Ofsted Outstanding fifteen consecutive inspections 

• Has a strong focus on staff wellbeing including a weekly staff wellbeing programme

• Offers a competitive defined contribution pension scheme

• Offers an employee assistance healthcare cashback plan

• Access to Mind Space and Perks at Work App

• Will pay 50% towards the cost of branded workwear

• Assists with childcare savings and cycle to work scheme

The successful candidate will:

• Embrace and support the school’s Quality of Life and Positive Behaviour Support ethos 

• Have the ability to develop positive and sustainable relationships with students

• Be an outstanding practitioner able to provide stimulating learning opportunities

• A creative and reflective individual who inspires confidence in meeting the needs of our students

• Highly motivated and able to contribute to collaborative working

• Have a positive attitude and mind-set, embracing the positive physical and mental health and wellbeing ethos. This includes role modelling self-care and reflection as part of our wider curriculum. 

• The ability to promote and celebrate diversity, collaboration, and equality in the school at all times.

Special School experience is not essential but a willingness to learn and understand the complex needs of our students, drive, aspiration and achievement and the ability to promote quality of life most certainly is.  Ideally the candidate will have a Level 3 or above Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce.

As part of the recruitment process, visits to the school are receommendced (Covid health and safety guidance will be maintained at all times).

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service background check (you are applying for a position working in regulated activity). The school is also committed to promoting the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of both students and staff and reflects life in Modern Britain. 

For further information on this post please contact Gareth Walters, Head of Care, at the following email address:   Gareth.walters@whsschool.org.uk. To obtain an application pack please email reception@whsschool.org.uk 

Closing date for applications: Friday, 30th April 2021

Successful candidates selected for interview will be contacted on:  Tuesday, 4th May 2021

(If you are not contacted from the school by 5th May you will not have been selected)

Virtual interview date: Monday, 10 May 2021