Residential Children's Practitioner L2 (Shift Leader)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose/ Overview/Context

To engage in the effective delivery of residential childcare in accordance with Ofsted quality standards and Children Homes Regulations.

To maintain good professional practice within the Home in accordance with Departmental Standards.

To help create a positive environment for each resident with particular regard to their safety, health and education.

The role will include the residential service which caters for young people aged 5-18 years of age with disabilities which includes learning, physical, social disabilities with either or complex health needs and challenging behaviours.

You would be expected to provide personal intimate care to holistically support children and young people with disabilities which can include tasks such as feeding, washing, toileting, dressing, hoisting, administering medication and also health care tasks and duties that can be met through appropriate training and delegation of clinical procedures in line with the 2005 Royal College of Nursing Guidelines.

Alongside providing meaningful stimulating daily in house and community activities to help young people to grow and develop, you will work as part of a team to create stability and support children and young people to achieve good outcomes.

Our approach to practice within Norfolk is underpinned by Childrens Services practice vision Vital Signs for Children. This enables us to work as a whole system and with a whole family approach to assessment and intervention. Using a relationship-based approach we work to build consistent and trusted relationships with children and families. We are strengths oriented in our practice, identifying and building on the strengths of families to create positive change. Using outcome-focused practice we are committed to achieving the best outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Principal Accountabilities

To contribute to residents care plans, their review and implementation.

To form effective relationships with residents and their families to ensure that a caring environment is maintained and their emotional and physical needs are met, safe care standards are met and opportunities for their development are maximised.

To undertake tasks and duties that can be met through appropriate training and delegation of clinical procedures in line with the 2005 Royal College of Nursing Guidelines

To ensure that residents views and wishes are sought and acted upon where appropriate

To ensure that good quality records are maintained as required with supervision and advice from qualified staff

To undertake sleep-in duties, and night work as and when required

To undertake a link worker role with residents as required

To participate in County groups as required

To attend statutory reviews or planning meetings as required

To ensure observance of and adherence to the health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

To ensure that services are provided in accordance with the departmental standards, equal opportunities standards and objectives of quality assurance

To undertake other appropriate duties as may be required by the Director of Childrens Services

Residential Workers may be assessed to act as shift-leaders with the agreement of the Service Manager subject to them meeting the Departmental assessment criteria

To achieve NVQ Level 3 within 18 months of appointment

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check to assess the suitability of candidates to work with vulnerable children

Other Job Information

Must be prepared to work evenings, weekends, nights and bank holidays as required.

To sleep-in as required.

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check will be undertaken every three years.

Staff will need to be mentally and physically fit for the purpose of the work that they are to perform

All staff will have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually in relation to Regulation 13.5 of the Guide to Childrens Homes Regulations and will have regular supervisions with their line manager to discuss any issue they may have.

It is also important to be aware that you will be working with complex and emotionally difficult cases. You may be required to visit family homes where conditions and hygiene may be poor/unsafe, and you may encounter drug/alcohol abusing service users. You may also encounter extreme behaviours and possibly violence from the young people you are caring for.

You must be prepared to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays, sleep in the residential homes and lone work at times.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Ability to attain NVQ Level 3 within 18 months of appointment.
• Willingness to undertake relevant training courses.

Desirable

• Good standards of education achievement (5 GCSE passes or equivalent)

Experience

Essential

• Knowledge of child protection and disability issues
• Ability to form effective relationships with children and act as a positive role model.

Desirable

• A minimum of 12 months experience of childcare work
• Knowledge and understanding of childcare law
• Understanding the signs of safety approach or willingness to undertake the training.
• Knowledge of augmented communication systems.

Aptitudes/Behaviours

Essential

• Ability to form effective relationships with children and act as a positive role model.
• Ability to communicate clearly and appropriately at all levels.
• Able to plan and prioritise workload.
• Ability to maintain judgement when working under pressure.
• Good level of applied literacy and numeracy.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility and initiative.
• Ability to learn and develop skills.
• Ability to undertake training and apply new understanding.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk County Council

Address

Foxwood

Blithemeadow Court

Norwich

NR7 8PU

Employer's website

https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)