Children's Residential Worker

About the role

Our Residential Workers turn our Residential Houses into Residential Homes. We want our homes to be exceptional for the children we are entrusted to care for, providing nurturing, fun and inspirational places where our young people feel safe to be themselves and can rely on us to guide, care, and support them to grow and thrive whatever their challenges.

As a 24/7 service operating all year round, our roles work on a rota basis. Shifts are usually between 10 and 12 hours to ensure consistent care for our children and young people, though this may vary slightly for each home depending on staffing arrangements and the needs of our children and young people.

You may support children and young people who present with complex needs including trauma histories, attachment difficulties, SEMH (Social, Emotional & Mental Health) needs, ADHD, anxiety, behavioural dysregulation, and risk of exploitation or criminal involvement. Like all supportive, caring, and compassionate home environments, no two days are the same, they throw up complex and challenging situations and are on 24/7 - 365 days of the year.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building effective relationships with children and young people in our care
• Co-ordinating activities and holidays to enrich their experiences
• Creating meaningful care plans tailored to individual needs
• Working together with partner organisations to support our children
• Writing reports and ensuring records are kept clear and up to date

To apply you will need to upload your CV and answer four questions considering our behaviours. We recommend you read the job description before submitting your application. Applications will be reviewed and considered on an ongoing basis, and if your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first round virtual interview lasting approximately 10-15 minutes, followed by an interview at one of our homes. For any questions about these roles please contact Sarah Muzzall via email at residentialrecruitment@surreycc.gov.uk.

About You

We are looking for dedicated individuals who can match our energy to be exceptional and are willing to learn. There will be swearing, shouting, and the occasional tear, but there will also be happiness, laughter, and smiles with reward for hard work, determination and resilience, knowing that you make a difference.

The ideal candidate will:

• Be 22 years old or above due to our legal obligations
• Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent qualification, or be willing to complete this within two years of starting with our support
• Have lived in the UK/EEA for the last 3 years and have the right to remain and work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the study programme
• Hold a valid driving licence to drive in the UK and have access to a vehicle to support our young people to attend appointments, activities or trips
• Have experience of supporting young people with complex challenges, whether in education, special educational needs settings, youth work, or community roles
• Be willing and able to use restrictive physical intervention (restraint) as a last resort when there is no safer alternative to ensure the safety of our children, young people, yourself, or others
• Demonstrate resilience, compassion and commitment to working with vulnerable children and young people

We are a disability confident employer which means if you have shared a disability on your application form and have evidenced you meet the minimum criteria, we guarantee you an interview. We value inclusion and warmly welcome you to join and help build a workplace where everyone belongs.

An enhanced DBS 'Disclosure and Barring Service' check for regulated activity and the Children's and Adults' Barred List checks will be required for this role. We are committed to the safe recruitment of staff in our Residential homes across Surrey.

Surrey Offer to You

Along with a dedicated and committed team we will support you to achieve the mandatory, nationally recognised, Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare if you don't already have this. Gaining this qualification will open opportunities for you to progress to a Senior Residential Worker (starting at £33,552 per annum) along with helping you grow the skills needed to be an effective Residential Worker.

• 26 days' holiday (pro-rated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 31 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• And more including lifestyle discounts, carer's leave and paternity, adoption and dependents leave