Children’s Support Worker

Embrace a Purpose-Driven Career

Are you seeking more fulfilment in your professional life? Do you yearn to step away from the grind of bureaucracy and office politics to focus on making a real impact?

Many seasoned professionals like you, enriched with experience and a heartfelt desire to contribute meaningfully, find themselves yearning for a path that aligns with their deepest values and aspirations. Maybe you have brought up your own family or maybe your career meant you didn't have time for this.

Your wealth of knowledge and life experience is a treasure trove in settings that require empathy, patience and wisdom. Our therapeutic children's homes thrive on the contributions of individuals just like you, who bring skills from careers in education, healthcare, leadership or coaching to the nurturing and development of young lives.

Picture a role where your primary focus shifts from budgets and KPIs to direct, heartfelt engagement with children who desperately need stability and someone to care about them. Every day presents a new opportunity to influence lives positively, helping to heal and shape the futures of our children.

At Hygge, we value the profound impact that mature, experienced individuals can bring to our team. Here, you can transform your passion for helping others into tangible actions that foster joy, healing and growth.

Are you ready to step into a life-enriching role that not only changes lives but also enriches your own? Join us at Hygge as a Children's Support Worker and start a truly fulfilling chapter in your career journey.

About Us

In our Hygge community, you will meet others from a wide range of backgrounds and professions. Yet, what binds us together is our unwavering dedication and commitment to our shared values.

Together, we celebrate small victories, share moments of laughter, offer support in times of need and pause for a cup of tea (and a homemade brownie) to catch a breath.

As we continue to grow our team, we are dedicated to creating a supportive environment where everyone feels heard, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive team. We believe that the power to make a difference lies within each individual, regardless of their background, age or previous experiences.

The Role

At Hygge, we believe in the power of compassion and resilience. Our therapeutic homes for children are dedicated to providing a warm and supportive environment where every child feels safe, valued and empowered. We are committed to fostering growth and healing through a trauma-informed approach.

As a Children's Support Worker, you will play a crucial role in creating a nurturing and healing environment for children who have experienced trauma. Your primary focus will be to provide emotional support, thoughtful care and to promote the overall well-being of the children in our care.

You will:

• Foster a warm and supportive environment where children feel safe, valued and empowered.
• Implement a trauma-informed approach, understanding and responding to the effects of trauma on children's emotional and behavioural needs.
• Engage in therapeutic activities and play to promote healing, resilience and positive growth.
• Build trusting relationships with the children, providing individualised attention and support based on their unique needs and strengths.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to develop and implement personalised care plans.
• Support daily routines, including meals, hygiene, bedtimes and recreational activities, while encouraging children's self-care skills.
• Document observations, incidents and progress in accurate and timely reports.
• Participate in team meetings, training sessions and continuous professional development to enhance skills and knowledge.

What we Offer

• A competitive salary of £35-40,000 per annum, based on experience and qualifications.
• Annual Leave Entitlement of 33 days, inclusive of bank holidays
• Generous workplace ethical pension
• Access to the Blue Light Card providing discounts to hundreds of retailers and venues
• Access to our Pirkx Benefits Package, offering a wide range of perks and services including online GP and physio consultations, 24/7 counselling, employee assistance programs, health and eye care benefits, as well as discounts on retail, leisure and entertainment activities
• Access to a leadership coach and regular personal and group supervision sessions, providing guidance, support and mentorship as you navigate your career journey with us
• Access to a variety of professional development opportunities tailored to enhance your skills and expertise, empowering you to excel in your role and beyond
• Following one year of good performance we will work with you to develop a personalised reward and recognition plan; we want to make sure that we are rewarding you in a way that works best for you
• You will also enjoy access to home-cooked meals, unlimited tea, fresh fruits and biscuits. Plus, we all like baking too!

What we are hoping for from you:

Essential:

• Previous experience working with children and young people.

• A commitment to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people.

• Playful, curious and empathetic nature, with the ability to create a positive and engaging environment for children.

• Excellent communication and active listening skills, ensuring effective collaboration with the team and effective support for the children.

• Ability to adapt to challenging situations, demonstrating resilience and maintaining a calm and patient demeanour.

• A compassionate and non-judgmental approach to working with children from diverse backgrounds.

• A commitment to ongoing professional development and a willingness to learn, grow in the field of therapeutic childcare.

• A willingness to work towards your Level 3 qualification which is a statutory requirement (we will cover the costs and support you in doing so).

Desirable:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject.

• Previous experience in a similar role within a therapeutic or residential care setting.

• A trauma-informed approach and understanding of child development and attachment theory.

• Strong IT skills.

While previous experience in a similar role is essential, we value passion and dedication above all. If you possess empathy, a sense of adventure, are determined with endless patience and a genuine desire to work with children, we encourage you to apply.

We appreciate applicants from underrepresented backgrounds and experiences.

We are particularly keen to hear from you if you have had a career in a different sector and now want to do something more meaningful and impactful.

Personal qualities:

• You will be adept at bouncing back and a vast capacity for flexibility whilst retaining the boundaries children need to feel safe and nurtured.

• You will be creative, solution focused and always playful at heart.

• You will be able to show every child, no matter how they present that day, that they are valued, loved and worthy of all the wonderful things life can offer. And if that isn't enough, you can extend this to your team even when they've not been at their best.

• You will know that taking a moment for tea and homemade brownies can sometimes be what is needed - the form filling can wait until later.

Other Requirements:

• Flexibility to work overnight shifts (incl. weekends and holidays) and participate in the on-call rota.*

• Enhanced DBS clearance.

• Full driving licence.

• To ensure the health and safety of the children under our care, candidates who are non-smokers are preferred.

*While your presence is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of the children, we value the importance of supporting our team members in managing their personal circumstances. We recognise that life events may arise that require flexibility and we will do our best to accommodate them when possible.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable children and be part of a dedicated team that strives to create a therapeutic and nurturing environment. If you are passionate about helping children heal, grow, and thrive, we would love to hear from you!