Residential Child Care Worker

(Y)Our Opportunity

We are looking for a dedicated, passionate and committed Residential Child Care Worker to join our residential team in our highly successful academy, which holds a Good Ofsted status. Our residential provision holds Outstanding Ofsted status. This post involves working with boys aged 10 -16 years who have social, emotional and mental health needs.

Candidates need to be able to work as part of a team as well as use their own initiative in this fast paced and fun environment. The residential team work closely with the school and aim to provide a balanced 24-hour curriculum to meet individual and group needs. You must be caring, nurturing and fair to enable the students to develop positive and trusting relationships. A good sense of humour is essential.

There is a strong emphasis on activities to learn new skills and to help develop confidence and self-regulation. You will be encouraged and expected to take part by being enthusiastic and willing to support those that are struggling.

Hours of work are 40.75 hours per working week, working within a rota system which is set and communicated on a half termly basis. Rota shifts comprise of: Day Shift: 7.30am to 3.30pm and Evening Shift: 2.30pm to 10.45pm. Residential Child Workers will be on rota to work one day shift and four evening shifts per working week. Sleeping in duties also apply to this post of which the NJC Sleeping-in Duty payment is payable, currently £41.78 per duty. Rota changes may be changed providing a minimum of 24 hours' notice. No weekend shifts, public holiday or school holiday shifts are required.

The role & you

The primary role of a Residential Child Care Worker is to support the students from the point of leaving school, during the evening and until the following morning when they go back off to school.

Once students arrive from school, staff support them by making healthy snacks, agreeing activities, talking about their day and encouraging the students to have a shower and get changed.

Staff encourage students to choose at least one physical activity which staff will support and get involved with. We then eat together at dinner time before going off for our second activity such as playing in the park, visiting the beach, playing on skateboards, playing board games, having a quiz or going to bowling/cinema/golf etc. Later in the evening, we help with school work, watch TV or a film before the students are supported to go to bed after a story or chat before staff complete evening reports. In the morning, staff wake the students to get ready and go off to breakfast ready for their school day.

You will be required to attend residential holidays when needed and undertake driving duties as required.

In addition, residential staff write and agree placement plans, risk assessments, activity rotas and review reports when required. During the school day staff support in the school for on call duties, activity events and training.

Throughout, staff participate in the general supervision of students, ensure that students adhere to acceptable standards of behaviour, give sensitive and effective care in a safe and supportive environment so that students enjoy a calm and relaxed group living experience.

Candidates must have

· Proven experience of/or a passion for learning, working with/caring for children and young people with SEMH.

· NVQ Level 3 in Child/Young Persons Care, or equivalent, is desirable. Or a willingness to complete a relevant Level 3 qualification, after successful completion of probationary period. Course costs will be met by the employer.

· Ability to use MS Word and Excel and Email or willingness to learn.

· Driving licence qualifications to drive a D1 mini bus is desirable

· With a current car driving license along with flexibility and willingness to use own car to transport students.

· Works effectively as part of a team.

· Enthusiastic, reliable and committed. Possess energy, vigor, perseverance, and empathy.

· Understand procedures and legislation relating to data protection and confidentiality.

· Adaptable and flexible to changing circumstances.

· Ability to learn school policies and procedures.

· Understand and implement the school's behaviour management policy.

· Understand the importance of physical and emotional wellbeing.

· Demonstrate a clear commitment to develop and learn in the role.

We will offer you:

·Working 39 weeks per year (during school term time). Paid prorated holiday and pay for the remaining 13 weeks of the year.

· Recognition of continuous service

· Automatic enrolment into Local Government Pension Scheme

· Continuous Professional Development

· Free onsite car/bike parking at our Academy

· Access to the Employee Assistance Programme

· Access to excellent catering facilities when the kitchen is operational

· A responsive, supportive and involved team

· A Residential Academy that is fully committed to nurturing the potential in all of our pupils.

Potential candidates are invited to contact us for an informal conversation, please contact Jane Quilter-HR Operations Manager on telephone: 01277 624580 or email: [email protected] We reserve the right to call applicants to interview and appoint, prior to the closing date.

To apply please complete the application form, which can be found on our website, or follow this link: https://ramsdenhall.org.uk/careers/vacancies This form must be fully completed and submitted to [email protected] (unaccompanied CVs or third party application forms will not be accepted).

Ramsden Hall Academy (RHA) is part of the Parallel Learning Trust (PLT), a Multi Academy Trust based in Keston, Bromley and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all pupils attending the Academy. As the duties of this post involves regular contact with children, any offer to the successful candidate will be conditional upon an Enhanced Disclosure being obtained via the Disclosure and Barring Service, medical clearance and satisfactory references. We will also carry out an online search on shortlisted candidates to help identify any incidents or issues that are publicly available online.

PLT is a Multi Academy Trust and Approved DfE Academy Sponsor; a forward thinking and innovative primary, special and alternative provision provider. PLT is committed to Safer Recruitment and aims for quality services and equal opportunities.

Ramsden Hall Academy is a Residential Special School for male students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs (SEMH) based in Ramsden Heath, Billericay, Essex.

The Academy was judged Good at its recent Ofsted inspections and is part of the Parallel Learning Trust, a Multi Academy Trust and DfE approved sponsor.

The Academy works with up to 100 secondary-age and Year 6 male students who have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) for Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) issues offering a residential provision.

The Academy aims to support all students with their specific needs and barriers to learning to enable them to reach their full potential both academically and in terms of managing their behaviour. This is achieved by providing high quality teaching and learning and by using assessment, engagement and developing educational programmes. The Academy works actively with students and their families to ensure positive outcomes for all.

Focused attention is paid to the student's individual needs through an integrated therapeutic approach to the curriculum. The Academy works with families to put in place aspirational targets for all learners and always celebrate the achievements of students to reinforce their success and achievement.

Any of the students demonstrating the skills and attainment required to successfully reintegrate into a mainstream school will be supported in the transition. Families will also receive support and guidance on how to best work with the school to help ensure their child is successful. The Academy aims for all students to enter further education, training or employment on exit from the Academy.

Our site is both attractive and well equipped in all areas of the curriculum and is well resourced. The school is situated with 14 acres of land in Ramsden Heath, near Billericay.