Residential Childcare Worker

1. We are recruiting casual staff to support our short break and residential children’s homes in covering both day and night shifts.
2. You will become part of a team providing a stimulating, nurturing environment to enable our children and young people to reach their full potential.
3. You will be required to work shifts on a rota basis. This includes working evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Main Purpose of Job

To form part of the staff team working together to create a safe, positive, caring, homely and well managed environment, promoting short breaks for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years who have a range of disabilities and complex need.

Key responsibilities

Under the direction / supervision of the Centre Manager / Senior RCCO / RCCO:

• Deliver the highest possible standard of care for children and young people with a range of disabilities and or complex health needs, working in compliance with relevant legislation, guidance, policies and best practice at all times.
• Implement each child’s agreed programme for communication, promoting independence and behaviour. Ensure each child’s emotional needs are met, and their physical needs, including bathing, toileting and self-care. Help to deliver stimulating and age appropriate activities, and participate in projects, which enhance the learning, development and quality of life of the children / young people.
• Safeguarding each child/young person whose needs or behaviour may pose a risk to themselves or others.
• Welcome, and liaise with, visitors and representatives from other services/agencies, work closely with parents / carers / families, recognising their particular needs and concerns in relation to their child’s wellbeing.
• Keep appropriate records and attend children’s meetings/reviews as required. Participate in staff meetings and training events as appropriate, making every effort to develop the professional skills necessary for your work with children / young people with complex needs in order to meet the requirements for registration with Social Care Wales.
• Assist the RCCO in co-administering medication in line with the child/young person’s treatment plan and in compliance with the authority’s Medication Policy.
• Carry out domestic duties within the centre as necessary to ensure a safe and hygienic environment, including preparation of meals, cleaning and laundry duties.
• Drive the minibus (with relevant training / certification) and/or act as escort to the children/young people when travelling.
• Adopt a flexible attitude to the duties of the post which may have to be varied in discussion with the post holder due to the changing needs of the service / in keeping with the department’s requirements of the post.
• ‘Act up’ as RCCO as required.
• The post holder may be required to work at associated establishments as and when required; at the local authority’s residential children centres, short breaks at Blaenau, Llys Caradog and Garreglwyd when required.
• The post holder will be expected to adopt a flexible attitude to the duties of the post. These may have to be varied in discussion with the post holder due to the changing needs of the service but in keeping with the department’s requirements of the post.

Desirable Criteria

• QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Children & Young People) or NVQ 3 in Caring for Children and Young People or equivalent.
• Knowledge of disability, behaviour management techniques, alternative communication systems
• Relevant legislation/guidance e.g. The Children Act 1989/2004, The Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s
• Homes (Wales) Regulations 2002.
• Child Protection/safeguarding procedures
• Experience of caring for disabled children/young people
• Experience in a residential setting with flexible patterns of shift work.