Residential Support Worker

Job description

Job Description

Role: Residential Support Worker (Waking Nights)

Salary: £25,949.00 per annum (pro-rata)

Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Contract/Hours: Shifts are 9.45pm to 7.45am - you will work two of these a week.

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
• Professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.
• Free Parking
• As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, you'll receive a paid annual Wellbeing Day to use however you choose, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.

Why Action for Children?

We are one of the largest children's charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK's vulnerable children for over 150 years.

Find out more about Action for Children here: Action for Children and on LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.

The difference is what you do. You can learn more about why we do it, by checking out our 'Driven by Love' video.

About the service

Merryfields is a 14 bed Short Break Residential Service providing 24-hour care for 5 to 18-year-olds with moderate to severe learning disabilities. We strive and work towards providing top tiered person-centered care. We also hold various activities on a day-to-day basis to encourage social experiences and promote equality and diversity throughout the service.

In this role you can bring their experience, can-do attitude and passion with you and help maintain the high standards already set by our wonderful team!

About the role:

Our Residential Support Workers create a safe and supportive environment for children and young people to grow and develop. You will ensure their wellbeing is prioritised by delivering personalised care, guidance, and advocacy. It is key that they stay safe and healthy and can reach their full potential.

Once you have gained the relevant experience and qualifications you will be ready to progress to the next step in your career with us.

As a Residential Support Worker (Waking Nights), you'll provide emotional and practical support to young people, helping them feel safe, settled and supported overnight. Your main priority will be maintaining a calm, secure environment, following safeguarding procedures, managing behaviours and responding to any incidents.

Once our young people are settled, you'll also use quieter periods to help prepare the home for the day ahead ensuring everything is safe, organised and ready for the day team.

You'll work closely with other professionals to follow individual care plans, adapting your support to meet each young person's needs. This includes supporting evening and morning routines, promoting independence and wellbeing, and keeping clear, accurate records of each shift.

As a Residential Support Worker, you'll support by:

• Providing a safe, calm and supportive environment throughout the night
• Supporting care planning, including helping to assess needs, review progress and manage risk
• Working with the wider team and other professionals to share information and contribute to reports
• Attending meetings such as reviews and working alongside professionals involved in each young person's care
• Supporting and guiding colleagues where appropriate, following policies and procedures
• Helping to deliver consistent, round-the-clock care in line with regulation

Let's talk about you, ideally you will have:

• Demonstrable experience of working in a care setting and developing positive relationships through trust
• Application of a range of techniques to co-ordinate and communicate with service users and their families.
• Demonstrate a solution focused approach to address problems, individually and in a team setting.
• Demonstrate emotional resilience to respond to the challenging nature of the role.
• Possess a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or recognised equivalent) or if you do not possess this you must be prepared to complete this within 2 years.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life's challenges. But too many children don't. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you'll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot's changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn't. So as long as children need us, we'll be here.

Will you join us?

Help with your application

If you require any support with the application process, please contact Sarah Manderfield at [email protected] quoting reference 13800

Please note, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels respected, valued, and able to thrive. We know that racism and discrimination create barriers, and we're taking active steps to challenge these inequalities in our organisation and in the communities we serve.

We strongly welcome applications from people who are Black, Asian, or from other racialised and ethnically marginalised communities, as well as disabled people, who are currently under-represented in our workforce. We are committed to removing barriers in our recruitment processes and ensuring fair access to opportunities.

We also encourage applications from men, who are under-represented in our Children's Services roles. We recognise that people hold multiple identities, and we value the richness this brings to our team.

Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Make a Difference - A Career in Residential Services