Senior Residential Worker

The starting salary is £29,291 per annum based on a 36 hour week, BUT YOU CAN EARN UP TO £36,500 per annum based on the average shift pattern as you will receive an ADDITIONAL 50% of pay for all waking night shifts worked between the hours of 8pm - 8am, as well as any hours worked on weekends and bank holidays.

Are you ready to start an exciting and rewarding career caring for children in one of our children's homes that looks after children and young people with learning and moderate physical disabilities? 

Do you hold a Residential Childcare (Residential Worker) level 3 diploma or direct equivalent? We are looking for staff who have the enthusiasm and creativity to enhance and improve children’s lived experiences. 

What We Can Offer You!

We offer many great benefits for staff depending on what is important to you! A selection of these include:

• Professional support from experienced and qualified members of the team with clear career progression, including studying for a nationally recognised diploma
• A generous local government pension scheme to provide you with a secure and guaranteed future income
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing tools to support your mental and emotional well-being, including our free confidential Employee Assistance Programme, a range of mental health apps and support for staff in crisis and much more
• Lifestyle benefits: purchase of additional annual leave, access to a huge range of discounted vouchers and memberships covering gym, retail, cinema and holidays
• Travel and Transport benefits: including cycle and car schemes, as well as discounted travel on season tickets

We are committed to on-going professional development and offer a wide range of training courses that support you to learn and develop skills throughout your employment, to build on the knowledge and experience you already have. 

About Us

After a recent expansion, we have a number of Senior Residential Worker roles available for energetic and enthusiastic people that have a passion for caring with children and young people with learning and moderate physical disabilities in our children's home in Woking. 

About the Role

Working directly with children and young people you will provide good quality day to day care and support. You will ensure the smooth running of the home and that Children's Homes Quality Standards are met. You will be creative, playful and able to build meaningful relationships with our children and young people and will have empathy, resilience and a good sense of humour! 

You will understand the complex issues faced by children in care but most important is you are enthusiastic, reliable and flexible in your approach to work, as hours worked are on a rota basis. You will need to be prepared to work some evenings, weekends, bank holidays and sleep in duties. For this commitment we will reward you with an additional, generous unsocial hours payment. 

As a Senior Residential Worker you will: 

• Interact and build relationships with children and young people and care for them so they can grow and thrive
• Co-ordinate, promote and engage in activities and holidays with children and young people
• Lead in a particular area of responsibility  
• Use your knowledge of the children and young people to create meaningful care plans
• Work in partnership with other professionals and agencies  
• Write reports and keep detailed records  

To be shortlisted to interview for this position your application will clearly evidence: 

• A proven ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with children and young people, their families and professionals involved in their care 
• Great communication with good verbal, IT and written skills 
• Knowledge of the issues that affect children and young people, including trauma, attachment, and contextual safeguarding and an ability and preparedness to recognise and deal appropriately with conflict 
• Demonstrable competence in contributing to effective assessment, risk management and strengths-based care planning 
• Resilience with a positive and adaptable approach to work
• Commitment to the working pattern of the role, which includes weekends and unsocial hours 
• Maths and English GCSE or equivalent  
• Hold a Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (Residential Worker) or equivalent 
• You will need to be at least 22 years of age to meet our legal obligations and you will need to hold a current driving licence

If you feel you have the passion, enthusiasm and transferable skills to enhance the lives of our children and young people, if you already hold a level 3 diploma in Residential Childcare (Residential Worker) or equivalent and want to join us on our exciting journey then we would love to hear from you!  

Contact Details

For an informal discussion please contact Laura Hoyles by e-mail at laura.hoyles@surreycc.gov.uk or Paul Thomas at paul.thomas1@surreycc.gov.uk

We look forward to receiving your application. 

This is a rolling advert and applications will be reviewed regularly. If your application is successfully shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview. Interviews are held on a weekly basis.

An enhanced DBS ‘Disclosure and Barring Service’ check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children’s and Adults’ Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.