Senior Residential Support Worker

JOB TITLE: SENIOR RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKER

REPORTING TO: DEPUTY MANAGER/REGISTERED MANAGER

GRADE: SRSW

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: RESIDENTIAL SUPPORT WORKERS

JOB SUMMARY

To maintain the development of positive childcare practice in line with the aims and objectives of the company by providing a safe, warm and supportive environment for all children and young people.  This includes physical, social and emotional care and support for programmes designed to promote the emotional well-being of the children and young people cared for.

To carry out duties in line with all Company policies and procedures at all times.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Ensure that you adhere to the protection of children standard; ‘children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe’.
  2. Safeguarding Responsibilities:
    • Make yourself aware of the safeguarding policy and all other safeguarding policies and procedures during induction, training and personal development. Stay up to date with changes in procedures.
    • You are required to make yourself aware of all plans that are in place to reduce the risk of harm to any child in the care of the home, and to follow these plans.
    • Know who the safeguarding leads are and how to report concerns.
    • Comply with all training in identifying signs of harm and abuse.
    • Respond immediately to any young person to keep them safe.
    • Make yourself aware of what to do if a young person makes a disclosure.
    • Support your colleagues to know what could be considered as a safeguarding issue.
    • Lead shifts and ensure that everyone on shift is aware of any changes to children’s care plans by ensuring they read and sign relevant documents.
    • Address any safeguarding concerns with colleagues throughout the shift to minimise risks and promote safeguarding awareness.
    • Discuss any actual or emerging safeguarding concerns in supervision and ensure your supervisees are supported to develop their knowledge of safeguarding.
    • Complete or regularly update risk assessments and children’s placement plans which outline procedures in place to minimise safeguarding risks.
    • Access company support if feeling distressed from being involved with a case or incident.
    • Attend Strategy Meetings and Child Protection Case Conferences if appropriate.
    • Keep accurate, objective records of any concerns or incidents, as per company safeguarding reporting procedures.
    • Complete body maps if required and ensure relevant people are notified so a conclusion is reached.
  3. Participate and assist with social workers and/or other professional staff within the company.  This may also include attendance at meetings concerning children and young people where the manager has deemed appropriate.
  4. Take responsibility for a resident and be the key person for that individual including liaising with social workers, schools and outside agencies where appropriate in line with the individuals care plan.
  5. Assist with the induction and settling in of a new placement.
  6. Take a key role in the development of programmes that support the children and young people both individually and collectively.
  7. Undertake on a regular basis a specific area of administrative work as required.
  8. Ensure that the company’s communications channels are used effectively for the dissemination of information; instruction and reporting back within the home, and that staff are fully conversant with their duties, levels of responsibilities and rights.
  9. Ensure that the care and wellbeing of the young people is maintained at the highest level at all times and that this care reflects the needs and is appropriate for the young people of both sexes and if necessary, residents of varied ethnic origins, by monitoring that all staff are undertaking their duties in a responsible manner and by taking appropriate action to remedy any unsatisfactory performance, including the identification of any further staff training needs.
  10. Seek to maintain the maximum level of individuality and independence of the children and young people. Encourage communication and interaction within the home in order to broaden and stimulate interests.
  11. Ensure all young people access required health care appropriate to their needs and that their health care needs are kept under regular planned review.
  12. Contribute reports to statutory and case reviews as required.
  13. Establish good relationships with the local community for the benefit of the children and young people.
  14. Encourage, stimulate and participate in social activities for the benefit of the young people. Take responsibility for the relevant administration of the home and entertainment and travel allowance.
  15. Comply at all times with the statutory legislation requirements, i.e. Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards, Ofsted.
  16. Comply at all times with the requirements of the Company’s Standard Operating Procedures and all supplementary instructions or amendments. Ensure that all staff comply with the Standard Operating Procedures as they apply to them.
  17. Assist the Deputy Manager and Registered Manager with administration tasks.
  18. Ensure that due attention is given by all staff to the health, safety and welfare matters throughout the home.
  19. Always co-operate with social services departmental staff and other relevant professionals in carrying out their duties and responsibilities, in so far as they affect the home and the company.
  20. Seek advice from line management as appropriate on all matters where the proper course of action is unclear, and guidance is required.
  21. Attend company meetings as required.
  22. Participate in ‘on call’ duties.
  23. Contribute to good practice standards within the company by identifying and highlighting service shortfalls and planning methods of development to improve services though company policies and procedures.
  24. Always represent the company in a responsible professional manner.
  25. Undertake such other duties as may be required or become necessary from time to time for the effective management and running of the home.

TEAM WORK

  1. Be a positive member of the team and be involved in the planning and organisation of the placement and total living environment of the children and young people.
  2. Be a good role model to Residential Support Workers and colleagues.
  3. Develop and support supervisees.
  4. Carry out shift leading, being responsible for the planning of the shift, delegation of tasks and supervising and guiding colleagues.
  5. Promote equality and diversity with groups of diverse children and adults.
  6. Be a positive role model for colleagues, children and young people.
  7. Be able to safely risk manage and identify potential harm to children, adults and the homes location and environment, in line with company policies and procedures.
  8. To work in other homes for support as this may be required from time to time.

HOUSEHOLD DUTIES

  1. The delivery of general daily care to children and young people including; providing nutritious meals, doing laundry, mending clothes, food shopping, attending health appointments, cleaning, supervision of activities, driving escort duties, supporting with life skills and development and the possibility of supporting the child with washing, bathing and or personal care if the child requires this.
  2. Provide and maintain high levels of cleanliness to provide the children with a homely environment.
  3. Maintain health and safety and fire regulations to ensure the home is safe for children, adults and visitors.
  4. Ensure the daily running of the home complies with safeguarding procedures.

 

TRAINING

  1. This role requires a commitment to undertake training as required for full understanding of duties.
  2. Study towards the Diploma Level 3 qualification or other qualification as deemed necessary by the company or set by government legislation for individuals carrying out childcare.

Note: Due to the nature of the service there will be additional requirements in line with changes in relevant legislation and child/young people requirements

Attributes
Essential Criteria
Desirable Criteria
Experience
Experience of direct work or involvement with children as a paid worker, volunteer, carer or as part of a family.
Experience in the role of a support worker and/or key worker. Experience of working with children and young people with challenging behaviours.
Knowledge
Understanding of child development and children’s physical and emotional needs Good interpersonal skills.
Knowledge of legislation relating to children and young people (specifically children in care).
Skills
Able to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, able to present information in an understandable way. Able to record information. Able to manage time effectively planning own workload. Good observation skills. Able to work as part of a team. Able to work with children with challenging behaviour.
Report writing and recording skills, able to present information in an understandable way. Negotiation and de-escalation skills Risk management and planning.
Personal Qualities
Commitment to work to guidelines and policies. Able to work within policy and procedures and use own judgement appropriately. Able to communicate with other agencies and professionals e.g. education, health, police etc. Commitment to keep children safe and protect them from harm. Able to manage stress in self and others.
Able to demonstrate an understanding of children and young people’s needs and their development.
Qualifications
NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care - Children and Young People. Commitment to further relevant training and personal development.
Related professional qualifications and formal qualifications in respect to social care and residential work with children and/or other.
Equality and Diversity
Accepting and being commitment to the principles underlying equal opportunities. Show good understanding of the needs of all children and staff.
Knowledge of equality and diversity.
Other
Able to commit to flexible working including weekdays, evenings and weekends. Also completing sleep in duties. Must be mobile and willing to work in other homes when needed.
Flexible working Driver.