Job Description

Service

Established in May 2021, Young UK Today is the realisation of a vision by a dedicated team of proven and passionate care and support providers with nearly two decades of expertise in their chosen field of work. With a remarkable history of empowering the most vulnerable children and young people, in Supported Accommodation, our founders and management team have been career long champions of positive change in the lives of those facing emotional and learning disabilities (LD) and complex needs.

We've always believed that early support can change the course of a young person's life. Having seen countless journeys through the care system, we recognised a need for a more nurturing, holistic approach. Our first established home, Dove Tree House was born from this vision, and we are committed to offering unwavering support to children and young people aged 8-17, providing them with a stable and loving environment within which to flourish and grow.

Children and young people placed in residential care are often admitted during their teenage years, a trend that continues to prevail in the UK. A significant proportion of these children and young people have undergone multiple placements, including various foster care experiences. It is their complex needs, often rooted in childhood trauma, in mental health, emotional, and behavioural challenges that necessitate specialised care and support.

Government statistics underline a persistent issue; a notable percentage of these young people are placed in care due to experiences of abuse or neglect. The instability in their living arrangements is highlighted by the fact that a similar percentage have lived in five or more different placements, exacerbating their vulnerability and complex needs. A rising trend is the increased focus on their educational requirements. A significant portion of these children, a figure that is currently under review, have special educational needs, emphasising a critical area for enhanced support and resources.

At the heart of our vision for Dove Tree House is the unwavering commitment to empowering both staff and children through trauma-informed approaches. We believe that understanding and addressing the impacts of trauma is foundational to fostering an environment of healing, growth, and empowerment. It's not just about care but about enabling each child and team member to navigate through their journey of recovery and development with resilience and confidence. The central tenant of our approach is rapport building, an essential element that enhances the quality of life and echoes the sanctity of a family home. In such a nurturing environment, every interaction is imbued with respect, dignity, and understanding, laying the groundwork for the holistic achievement of our outlined goals.

At Dove Tree House, the safeguarding of children and young people is paramount. It is embedded in every aspect of the care we deliver to the children and young people that live with us.

Job Purpose

Residential Support Worker for Dove Tree House

Be an appropriate role model to children in the home and help meet their practical needs by providing support, advice, and assistance. To support children and you young people address their problems, concerns, and previous trauma and work with them to achieve health, well-being, and education outcomes, enabling them to reach their full potential. To support children to prepare for future independence and self-sufficiency.

General Duties

Work with children and young people in the home, supporting them with their individual needs as outlined in their placement plan.

Ensure children are treated with dignity and respect.

Help children participate in the routines of the home and encourage them to take part in the activities and support on offer.

Promote education and support children to attend education and help them with their homework and attend meetings where necessary. Where children are out of education, support them with educational activities and work toward education outcomes.

Promote well-being in the home by ensuring the environment is free from bullying, prejudice and a fair place to live.

Help children deal with conflict and trauma by supporting any therapeutic plans that are in place for them.

Work co-operatively and pro-actively as part of a team supporting colleagues and the Registered manager.

Specific Duties

• Provide advice and support to children in the home in line with their placement plans, organisational policies, and the good practice requirements of the home.
• Act as a key worker to children offering support to their individual needs and advocating for them at reviews and care planning meetings.
• Be a point of contact for children with their social workers, education and health staff, and family.
• Work with multi agency teams to support and care for children and young people.
• Ensure children in the home are safe and protected from harm.
• Establish a nurturing relationship with children to help them deal with their past and present difficulties.
• Help children build positive relationships by ensuring the home environment is free from bullying and prejudice and a safe and fair place to live.
• Help children resolve conflicts and manage their behaviour safely and acceptably, and that unacceptable behaviour is challenged and addressed.
• Support children to participate in their local community, participating in activities and helping them make and achieve plans for their future.
• Help children provide feedback to the home and ensure their voice is heard in their care and support.
• Put any therapeutic or other plans into action to support the child alongside their placement plan.
• Support children to reduce any behaviours which put them at risk of harm, such as missing from care or criminal exploitation.
• Ensure the home s records are completed to a high standard before the end of each shift and provide written reports for care managers, looked after reviews and care planning meetings.
• Take part in the home s routines such as cooking, cleaning, maintaining the environment, and supporting children to do the same.
• Attend shifts as required by the staff rota and take part in the on-call rota and the sleep-in rota.
• Undertake training as the organisation requires and take responsibility for continuing professional development.
• Attend and contribute to regular supervision meetings and complete actions from the annual appraisal.
• Work and contribute pro-actively to the team and report any concerns about unacceptable staff conduct or standards to your line manager.
• Adhere to all health and safety and workplace policies.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

• Diploma Level 3 in Residential Childcare or be willing to work towards it.

Experience

Working with trauma experienced children

Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team

Effective record-keeping skills and maintaining the confidentiality

Knowledge and Understanding

The Children s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards for Children s Homes, Children Act 1989, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023, Data Protection Act 2018, and Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Skill and Abilities

Able to drive company vehicles

Able to deal with challenging behaviour

Able to support children with complex needs

Able to be assertive and confident with children

Effective oral and written communication skills

Awareness of confidentiality and data protection

Awareness of child protection and safeguarding

Awareness of substance misuse and child exploitation

Ability to work in a team

Equality and Diversity

Promote equality and diversity by interpreting equality, diversity, and rights according to legislation and policies.

Develop a culture of non-discrimination that supports individuals rights and eliminates patterns of discrimination.