Residential Care Worker (young people)

Residential Care Worker

The position is for a Residential Care Worker in a children's care home dealing with young people, usually teenagers, with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The work is shift based.

• The Residential Care Worker is responsible for assisting in the promotion of good social care practice, in accordance with the Home’s policy and procedure.
• The Residential Care Worker will provide care for young people in residence, participating in the assessment of their needs and the implementation of plans for their future.
• The Residential Care Worker will assist in the administration and management of the Home. 

• The ethos of the Home will be child/young person centered and based upon a commitment to achieve working partnerships with them and their families and to work in close collaboration with colleagues and members of other settings and agencies where necessary. The style of service will aim to support parents in the exercise of their parental responsibilities, encourage children and young persons to develop a mature understanding of their situation and to learn to exercise personal responsibility and choice in their lives. On occasions the Home will be required to provide a safe environment for young people who are in need of protection or who exhibit challenging behaviours.

Responsibilities, duties and tasks: 


The Residential Care Worker will be responsible for:-

• Assisting in the development of new techniques and approaches to child care provisions
• Encouraging development of individual interests and attitudes
• Promoting, safeguarding and protecting the welfare of each young person
• Establishing and maintain positive and trusting relationships with the young people that will promote their sense of security
• Providing firm, consistent and fair boundaries in respect of their behaviour and employ appropriate and agreed consequences
• Ensuring that appropriate medical help is provided in cases of illness and accidents
• Promoting the development of a healthy lifestyle for Young People
• Assisting Young People in the development and sustaining of positive social networks with adults and other peer groups
• Organising and participating in group activities and group holidays
• Assisting in the provision/preparation of meals in the unit
• Assisting and supporting Young People through the process of leaving care
• Encouraging Young People to develop their full educational and vocational attainment
• Providing for the personal needs of young people in co-operation with other team members.
• Forming relationships with Young People which will facilitate the care and assessment process and encourage them to participate fully in the opportunities offered by the Home.
• Participating in the formal assessment process, providing oral and written contributions to reports, plans and assessments where appropriate.
• Keeping abreast of developments in theory and practice of social care.
• Being familiar with the Home’s policies and procedures
• Attending and taking an active part in team meetings.
• Participating in in-house staff development and training programmes.
• Being fully aware of racial, cultural and religious issues and anti-oppressive practice.
• Actively promoting the role of the home.

General duties:

• To undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this job.
• To undertake routine administrative tasks and provide written reports and maintain the Young Person’s file as required by the Home’s policies and procedures
• Compile reports, including Review, Progress and Incident reports
• Adhere to appropriate guidelines and procedures
• To receive complaints in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Home
• To undertake financial management and recording of day to day petty cash maintenance in accordance with the Home’s policies and procedures
• To carry out duties in accordance with the health & safety at work act, adopting safe working practices, in accordance with the Home’s policies and procedures
• All duties and responsibilities will be carried out in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Home
• To participate in alternating shift pattern.
• Participating fully in the working rota, including sleeping-in duties on a regular basis.

• In all contacts the post holder will be required to present a good image of the Home as well as maintaining constructive relationships
• Liaising with relatives, other significant people and outside agencies.

• This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check under the arrangements established by the DBS.
• The Home reserves the right to alter the content of this job description after consultation to reflect changes to the job or services provided, without altering the general character or level of responsibility.
• Reasonable adjustments will be considered as required by the Disability Discrimination Act.
• The duties described in this job description must be carried out in a manner which promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect for all employees and service users and is consistent with the Homes Equal Opportunities Policy.
• The RCW will expected to comply strictly  with legislation, policies and procedures in relation to child care, health and safety, equal opportunities, staffing / employment, medication, and other such matters as notified from time to time
• The RCW will promote positive health care programmes including anti-smoking practices and upholding the rights of staff and service users to live and work in a smoke-free environment.
• RCW's have a responsibility to ensure that adequate planning and preparation is in place for each shift.
• RCW’s will provide support and guidance to colleagues in fulfilling the duties of their posts as required by the National Minimum Standards
• RCW’s will accept a personal responsibility for professional learning and development, including attending training courses as required*.

*Unqualified RCWs will be required to complete NVQ III training within an agreed timescale. Qualified RCWs will be required to complete post-qualifying training within an agreed timescale.