Your new company

This role is part of a Hays campaign with one of our key clients, a Children's Residential Service based in South West London. They are currently looking for senior residential childcare workers to help cover needs in both of their homes.

Your new role

Job Purpose

• To be responsible to the Registered Manager for the day to day running of the home and for the delivery of the day to day care to young people.
• To ensure that the staff teams are maintaining their therapeutic approach and providing direct work with the children.
• To assist in leading staff to operate within the legal parameters as described in the companies’ policies and procedures.
• To give support in the business, clinical and social development of the service.
• To share responsibility in the protecting of company assets and be proactive in securing a positive company image.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of residential care staff when on shift, ensuring that safe and appropriate care practices are maintained at all times.
• Assume overall management responsibility for the home, during any periods of absence of the manger or their deputy.
• Support the manager in all aspects of the operational management of the establishment.
• Supervise sessional staff.
• Ensure medication is administered and recorded correctly.
• Ensure petty cash and allowances are recorded and managed correctly
• Ensure all ClearCare tasks are completed accurately.
• Ensure safeguarding issues are reported and managed appropriately
• Ensure effective handovers are conducted, including de-briefs.
• Ensure colleagues are aware of responsibilities and duties for the shift and a detailed shift plan is created.
• Ensure colleagues are supported and areas of additional need are brought to the attention of management.
• Ensure that the home's policies, procedures and principles are adhered to
• Maintain the development of positive childcare practice in keeping with the aims and objectives of the organisation.
• Provide a safe, warm and supportive environment for our young people.
• To be involved in the planning and organisation of the home.
• Maintain a regular system of recording in connection with each young person.
• To be involved in the implementation of care plans.
• Assist in the provision of reports when required.
• Ensure when on shift that care staff conduct themselves within the guidelines of the establishment.
• Assist with the process of development, implementation, and review of organisation policies.
• Delegate tasks to residential staff.
• Co-ordinate the daily routine of the home.
• To promote and maintain high standards of cleanliness.
• Participate in the general activities of the establishment.
• Use any personal skills, you may have to maximise opportunities for each resident.
• Establish and develop outside contacts both individually and through various activities developed within and outside of the establishment.
• Undertake delegated household duties.
• Attend regular supervision sessions as required.
• Attend team meetings and training sessions as required.
• Accept responsibility for such money as may be required in the carrying out of necessary duties.
• Undertake sleeping in duties as required.
• Comply with the policies and procedures of the establishment.
• To be available on an on-call basis to cover staff shortfalls and/or operational deficiencies.
• Deal with telephone enquiries and undertake administrative duties as required, e.g. logbooks, daily logs, incident forms, handovers etc.
• Maintain case file records.
• Any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the manager.
• To foster and encourage, wherever appropriate, contact between children and their families.
• To maintain good liaison and co-operate with external agencies e.g. social workers, consultant staff.
• To develop a responsible attitude towards residents with regard to the fabric, furnishings, equipment, supplies and services in/out of the establishment.
• To support young people in all domestic aspects of their personal space and the communal area of the home.
• To demonstrate both sensitivity and appropriate assertiveness.
• To work in a pressured environment with groups of diverse young people, staff and other professionals.
• To carry out the duties of the post in a mature and responsible manner, seeking and receiving support as necessary.
• To physically intervene if a young person’s behaviour is dangerous to others or themselves, in accordance with the procedural guidelines of the organisation, and relevant legislation.
• To participate in the construction and implementation of care plans on individual young persons placed.

Other requirements

• Sleeping in/shift work, including evenings, bank holidays and weekends on a rota system.

What you'll need to succeed

• 5 years of experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour within a residential care setting, at lease 2 years as a Team Leader or Senior Support Worker or demonstrable experience of managing staff
• You will need to be physically and mentally strong to cope with the challenges of this role
• Available to work full time (average 39 hours per week), and be able to cover some weekends and bank holidays
• Must have NVQ L3 in Residential Childcare (or equivalent)

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary with incremental increases
• Will be enroled for the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare after 2 years
• On completion of the Level 5 Diploma, there will be opportunities for further progression up to Deputy/Manager levels
• DBS check completed by client (if required)

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.