Job Description

TITLE : RCW/Outdoor Learning

RESPONSIBLE TO: Registered Manager/Deputy Manager

LOCATION : Shropshire/Angelsey/Arthog/Nr Burnley

JOB PURPOSE AND ROLE

To work as a member of a team in providing direct day to day care and to support Adolescents who display emotional or behavioural difficulties participating in outdoor activities or alternative education.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

  • To be a full and active member of the team. You will be responsible to the Line Management structure.
  • To act as a residential care worker/co-ordinator when required, providing care and support to individuals.
  • To participate in duties associated with the home as directed by the home Manager/deputy manager
  • To be aware of and comply with the statutory requirements and all the company’s policies and procedures including those of outdoor activities.
  • To participate in duty rotas.
  • To act flexibly within reasonable bounds, in order to ensure the necessary cover for the smooth running of the home.
  • To inform colleagues of relevant developments, for example during handover.
  • To work with team members to achieve a warm, caring, safe and stimulating environment for the young people in our care.
  • To assist each young person with the development of their Education through the AQA Units and educational visits.
  • To work on behalf of the young person’s to educate and provide positive advice with any aspect of their health care requirements and consult with health care professionals where appropriate.
  • Promote and encourage the young people to access leisure activities and education
  • You will be expected to take part in the activity programme alongside the young people
  • You must follow the homes procedure for the use and maintenance of outdoor equipment
  • To participate in achieving high standards of cleanliness, laundry, cooking of meals and other domestic duties as requested by the home Manager. This is within the home and any offsite location that the home uses.
  • To have an active role in assisting each young person towards achieving a realistic standard of independence.
  • To be alert to signs of distress or abuse, and to ensure that the young people are monitored and protected at all times.
  • Ensure that the religious, racial, cultural linguistic backgrounds of children and their families are promoted and you are sensitive to gender issues.
  • To control and manage young people who need boundaries set to their behaviour.
  • To maintain a high level of recording and report writing.
  • Clear lines of communication are utilised to promote the welfare of the young person
  • To participate in formal training and induction and actively pursue relevant qualifications.
  • To attend team meetings.
  • Attend individual supervision sessions as per policy
  • To identify problems and service deficiencies by the continuous review of service users needs and make recommendations for improvement.
  • To supervise the young people at all times, ensuring their individual safety and well-being.
  • To liase with both internal and external agencies, parents and carers so that appropriate resources may be identified for the benefit of the young people.
  • Assist with health and safety requirements for the house to include Fire, Emergency lighting, Fire fighting equipment, Gas and Electricity and abide by all risk assessments and COSHH requirements

The list of duties contained in this job description is not exhaustive and will develop in accordance with the needs of the home and its young people.

PLEASE NOTE

Notwithstanding the detail of this job description, the post holder will undertake such work as may be determined by home from time to time, up to or at a level consistent with the principal responsibilities of the post and in any location said homes.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL / DESIRABLE
Personal attributes and child centred approach /
  • Ability to engage with young people in a positive and proactive approach
  • Sense of humour
  • Self motivated and a positive nature
  • Self organisation
  • Sensitive and reflective
  • Calmness
  • Honesty and reliability
  • Ability to listen and empathise
  • Ability to assess risks
/
  • Motivate others
  • Influence others and persuasiveness
  • Positive leadership skills
  • Develop innovative solutions
  • Coaching skills
  • NGB qualification

Job related knowledge and skills /
  • Effective communication skills: recording and report writing and verbal communication.
  • Awareness of non verbal communication i.e. eye contact and personal space etc
  • A professional and caring value base i.e. consistency and empathy
  • Due to the location of the homes and the need to transport young people driving license or access to own transport is essential for these areas/homes.
/ Knowledge of:
  • National Minimum Standards (Wales)
  • Quality Standards (England)
  • Children’s Homes Regs. 2015
  • The Children Act 1989 & 2004
  • Children’s Rights
  • Ability to assess risks
  • IT literate
  • Driving license for all other areas apart from those mentioned is desirable

Work Experience /
  • Working individually and within a team
/
  • Experience of working with children.
  • Experience of working with children in residential childcare
  • Experience in outdoor activities

Qualifications /
  • Be committed to completing QCF level 3 award in Health & Social Care (Children) within 12 months of registration.
  • This is a statutory requirement for all employees wishing to work in childcare.
/
  • NVQ/QCF level 3 award in Health & Social Care (Children & Young People) or Caring for Children and Young People.
  • CQSW / DIPSW
  • D32/ D33/A1 Assessors Award

Training /
  • Openness and commitment to personal development identified training and professional development.
  • An interest and ability in adventure activities

Working Conditions /
  • Sleeping in duties
  • Willing to work additional hours to cover sickness and holidays and to work in other homes within your area.
  • Willing to work Bank Holidays & Christmas Holidays
  • Have good medical health

Conditions of Service

Salary /
  • The starting salary for unqualified staff is £6.55, and £8.00 for staff qualified in NVQ3/ QCF: Health and Social Care: Children and Young People or revelant NGB outdoor award. There are incremental increases linked to an appraisal system. The rate is dependant upon your level of qualification.
  • Sessional salary £6.78 per hour- qualified sessional rate - £8.00p per hour
  • An additional enhancement of 50p per hour is payable to outdoor staff should they have no absence in one full calendar month, attend all booked training and arranged supervision.

Employment Status /
  • The post of Residential Childcare Worker is permanent.

Hours /
  • Your contracted hours will be 39 hours per week - (full time) is or 16-24 hours per week (part time). Sessional hours- as and when required. Actual hours are determined by the monthly rota and will include weekend-work, sleep-ins (see below).

Allowance /
  • An allowance of £28.00 will be paid per sleep-in

Annual leave and public holidays /
  • Basic annual leave is 28 days per annum pro rata, this is inclusive of 8 statutory bank holidays
  • You will be required to work bank holidays and Christmas and New Year holidays, enabling the children and young people in our care to be supported through, essentially, family orientated occasions.
  • In recognition of your commitment around these occasions from 8pm Christmas eve to 8pm Boxing Day and from 8.00pm New Years Eve to 8.00 am New Years day will be paid at normal rate plus £6 per hour.

Place of work /
  • You will be based and work at any of the homes within the area where you are employed and as advised by your line manager or regional manager.

Probation /
  • You will be subject to a 6 month probationary period dependant on the competency of the individual

Pension /
  • We will observe our rights under auto enrolment

Equal opportunities /
  • In line with our Equal Opportunities, Anti-Oppressive and Anti-Discrimination policy contained within our Employee handbook every effort is made to ensure that individuals are treated fairly and equitably, and decisions on recruitment, selection, training, promotion and career development are based solely on objective and job related performance criteria.

Notice period /
  • Appointment to the position of Residential Childcare Worker is subject to one weeks notice during your probationary period and one calendar month’s notice thereafter, by either party.

Residential Childcare worker