Senior Children's Home Carer - Beechside Short Break Service

About the role

Beechside Short Break Service provides care and short break accommodation for up to six young people aged between 5 - 18 years. The service is tailored to meet individual children's needs, that have a learning or a physical disability, often alongside communication needs.

The key part of the role is working directly with children and young people. The role requires a child centred approach and ability to build warm, strong and positive relationships with our children and young people. You will be responsible for the day-to-day care of up to six children with a range of complex needs.

You will be expected to apply relevant legislation, policies and procedures and guidance relating to residential childcare. You will be expected to work alongside other professionals such as social workers, schools and therapists to provide a consistent team approach to manage care & risk and attend meetings with young people or represent the team at meetings.

Key responsibilities include:

• Working alongside children by helping them to achieve their specific individual needs and improving their future outcomes
• Inputting information into the client database and carrying out other related administrative tasks
• Attending meetings with young people or representing the team as appropriate
• Applying relevant legislation, policies and procedures relating to residential childcare
• Working collaboratively with other professionals to provide consistent care and risk management

For informal discussion about this role, contact Sam Stokes, Registered Manager, at sam.stokes@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or 023 92 688 039. To apply, please ensure you read the full job profile attached and complete a personal statement demonstrating how you meet the requirements described in the 'Who is the person' section.

About You

You will need relevant qualifications and experience in residential childcare, along with a strong understanding of safeguarding and the needs of children, including those with disabilities. The role requires excellent communication and relationship-building skills, the ability to work under pressure, make sound decisions, and support children's development.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a QCF Level 3 Diploma in residential childcare or equivalent qualification
• Have professional experience of working in a residential children's setting
• Demonstrate awareness of the needs of children with learning and physical disabilities
• Have sound experience of key working
• Be able to work under pressure and make decisions to safeguard children, the service and staff
• Have knowledge of how to safeguard and support children in a short breaks service
• Form warm and positive relationships with children to support their development and positive experiences
• Actively support children and encourage children to grow and flourish to their full potential
• Have excellent communication skills for liaising with other agencies, parents, colleagues, and children
• Be adaptable, proactive in your own development, and capable of working both independently and as part of a team

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard employer. Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it. Please note: We are not able to offer sponsorship for this position.

Portsmouth City Council Offer to You

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act. We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals.

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered. Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.