The Role

Have you a passion for working with children and young people with disabilities?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

We are looking to recruit Residential Workers on a permanent basis to join our amazing team and help play a central role in ensuring high quality care for our children and young people! This may be part time (with option of additional hours) or full-time work. The rota requires two out of three weekends whether full-time or part time.

About Oakdene Residential Unit

Oakdene Short Break and Chestnut Long-stay units provide residential care for children and young people aged 5-18 years who have moderate to severe learning difficulties. Some of our children and young people exhibit challenging behaviours whilst others may have high medical needs. Our latest Ofsted was GOOD.

About the role

We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, have plenty of energy, are patient, understanding and enjoy a challenge.

You will be expected to fulfil a range of responsibilities, subject to skills and experience these will include:

• Taking keyworker responsibility for children in residence.
• Develop programmes and creates warm stimulating experiences for children and young people in residence. (For example, out of unit activities such as holidays).
• Plan, prepare and facilitate group work with a mix of age and ability.
• Prepare and carry out agreed plans.

You will need to be supportive to others, adaptable and creative. Good observations and assessments skills plus dedication to providing a safe stimulating environment for children are essential qualities required.

In order to be considered you will need to have a recognised qualification such as a Diploma in Residential Child Care (or equivalent) and recent experience of working in a childcare environment with the ability to work weekends.

Contact details

For an informal discussion about the roles, please contact Lynn Thomas at Lynn.Thomas@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk

Benefits

We recognise the importance of a good balance between work and home life so we do everything we can to accommodate. Please just let us know in your application or at any stage throughout the process (and beyond) if these are options you’d like to explore.

We also offer a generous holiday allowance of 39 paid days (pro rata) including bank holidays and a wide range of learning and development opportunities. In addition, we offer a comprehensive range of staff benefits such as membership of the Local Government pension scheme, childcare vouchers, new technology scheme, interest-free loans on annual travel cards, discounts with many leisure activities, restaurants, shops and other establishments.

Indicative Recruitment Timeline

This is a rolling advert and the hiring team will be regularly reviewing applications on an on going basis.

Interviews will also be scheduled on an ongoing basis. If invited, the interview will take place over two days. The first day will involve an interview followed by a written test. The second day will involve a visit to Oakdene Residential Unit for a direct observation with the young people.

Useful Information

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Equality Statement

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Important Information

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

How to apply

To be considered for interview your application must highlight your knowledge, skills and experience listed in attached Job Profile located at the bottom of the advert.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils