Children's Residential Worker- Learning Disabilities - Woking

This role has a starting salary of £27,897 per annum based on a 36-hour week, rising up to £30,048 per annum. Enhanced rates of pay are available for occasional working bank holidays, weekends and sleep in's.

Are you passionate about providing a safe place for vulnerable children to call home?

Do you have transferable skills developed through your experience in an additional needs or specialist education environment?

Ever considered a rewarding career in care with an ambitious and dedicated residential service?

If so, Ruth House in Woking could be your next home!

Due to our legal obligations, we can only accept applications from people 22 years old and above.

You will need to the willingness and ability to travel to meet the demands of the role.

Our Home

Our Residential Workers turn our Residential Houses into Residential Homes and this is no different for Ruth House which is our home dedicated to caring and supporting children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities.

In the same way that you will support the children and young people in Ruth House, we will support you too! We offer the opportunity to gain the nationally recognised Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare - a requirement that you'll achieve within two years of starting. Not only will this qualification unlock new opportunities for you, including the chance to become a Senior Residential Worker earning £31,262 per annum, but it will also equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel as a Residential Worker.

Our other benefits include:

• 26 days annual leave, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service - with the option to buy up to an additional 10 days
• The option to enter into a generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• A well supported sick leave and absence offer
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Relocation bonus
• A 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Car lease scheme and many more discounted life-style benefits

Our Aim

We are committed to providing exceptional homes for the children we are entrusted to support, which is no less than they deserve.

Our homes strive to be nurturing, fun and inspirational places where our young people feel safe to be themselves and can rely on us to guide, care, and support them to thrive whatever their challenges and this is where you come in!

The Opportunity

As a valued member of the team at Ruth House you will positively contribute to the lives of the children and young people in our home, working to build effective relationships with them, supporting them with routine personal care, co-ordinating activities and holidays, creating meaningful care plans, working together with partner organisations, writing reports and ensuring records are kept clear and up to date. These are just some examples of the work you will do that will support our children and young people with their everyday lives.

Like all supportive, caring, and compassionate home environments; no two days are the same, they throw up complex and challenging situations and are on 24/7 - 365 days of the year. So, let's be honest, if you are looking for a 9-5 job which is straight forward and predictable, you might want to sit this one out.

There will be swearing, shouting, and the occasional tear. But there will also be happiness, laughter, and smiles. There will be reward for hard work, determination, and resilience, knowing that you make a difference.

So, if you think you have what it takes, can match our energy to be exceptional, and are willing to learn, we (and our children) really want to hear from you.

To apply you will need to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

1. Looking at our advert please tell us what it is about the role that has motivated you to apply?
2. Please tell us about the relevant experience or transferable skills you have in relation to this role?
3. What three qualities do you have that would make you a good Support Worker and why will these be important?
4. Please tell us how you would you handle a situation where challenging behaviour was present? Please offer a relevant example if you can.

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to a short first round virtual interview to explore your answers to the above questions (lasting approx. 10-15 min), and if successful following this, invited to meet us at one of our homes for an interview. We will be reviewing applications on an ongoing basis so feel free to submit an application as soon as you wish, and we will come back to you as quickly as possible.

This advert closes on the 29th November 2023.

Interviews will be set up at a mutually agreeable time for you and the hiring team in line with availability.

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 proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.