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Job Description

Keyworker – 41 weeks

Aim of the post: To welcome warmly and connect kindly with all children and young people, working as a part of a team of care givers supporting a group of young people within a home. Whilst nurturing a Culture of Gentleness, key workers will take a central role, as a committed parent or carer would, in supporting one or two young people’s ongoing learning and personal development in the home and advocating for their needs in their schooling, healthcare, relationships and social life. The post will cover term time support, and specified inset days.

In addition, the Post holder will be required to commit to an additional two weeks respite care work, during Easter or Summer holidays.

Duties:

 To nurture and sustain a Culture of Gentleness in the home and support this across the school community, providing a role model for children and young people by working in ways that are attentive and responsive and intentionally apply our visions, values and organisational behaviours.

 To consistently find ways to support and improve the child/ young person’s personal environment, sense of companionship and community in their home here. (The quality and purpose of care standard Reg. 6)

 To work harmoniously with colleagues and other professionals in the care and support of the children and young people both during school hours and in their home here. (Leadership and management standard Reg. 13)

 To prioritise the needs and ensure the health, wellbeing and safety of the children and young people within the home at all times, to include providing support for intimate personal care and administration of medication, following completion of relevant training. (Health and well-being standard Reg.10)

 Enable child/young person to connect and communicate effectively with parents/carers, making sure a variety of methods, including – as appropriate – telephone, e-mail, ipad (skype, web-cam.) are available to make this possible; to maintain a log of calls home; to be an escort and companion on visits to parents/carers.(Contact and access to communications Reg.22)

 Through speaking only kindly, encourage positive relationships both as the first point of contact between the school and the child/young person’s parents, carers and any external professionals, communicating politely and courteously at all times; to write weekly letters home to parents/carers of key child/ young person (Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met Reg. 5)

 To reflect and to adjust how each child/young person can contribute positively to daily household routines and activity plans, using dynamic risk assessment to help each young person to feel safe and to engage meaningfully in their home and life. (The quality and purpose of care standard Reg. 6)

 Using information from reflection to learn how to help define, organise, implement and update child/young person’s' Individual Education Plan, Individual Activity Plan, support plan and personal care plan and associated targets, in collaboration with colleagues and include up to date personal information (Sched. 3 Reg. 36 NCH Regs 2015)

 To ensure that records relating to children/ young people are; o Written kindly and compassionately o Legible when handwritten o Detailed, non-stigmatising, careful, objective and clear o Distinguish between fact, opinion and third-party information o Helpful to each named child/ young person o Stored securely and shared appropriately, adhering to our confidentiality guidance

 Through weekly keyworker sessions with child/ young person, keep them at the centre of what you do when attending and advocating for their goals and aspirations, now and for the future; in team meetings, their Looked After Child meetings, Reviews and other meetings as required, both at school and elsewhere. (Reg. 7: The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard)

 To carry out sleeping-in duties.

 To understand and support the delivery of the 24 hour curriculum for the young people.

 To work effectively and reflectively together with colleagues, willing to take the lead in the home as required.

 To adhere at all times to the schools policies and procedures, maintaining good practice which meets or exceeds the Quality Standards as set out in the Children’s Homes Regulations (Regs. 4-14) 2015.

 To demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning, through completion of induction learning handbook within 6 months of starting employment (probationary period) and participation in continuous professional development, to include weekly reflective practice through the use of video reviews and participation in supervision as frequently as required for the role. (Reg. 33: Employment of Staff)

 To complete the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 years of employment with us, or to hold equivalent qualification. (Reg. 32: Fitness of Workers)

 Any other duties commensurate with grade as directed by Line Manager or Senior Management.

 To be fully aware of and understand the duties and responsibilities arising from the Children’s Act 2004 and statutory guidance (Working Together, 2015) in relation to child protection and safeguarding children and young people as this applies to the role within the organisation. To also be fully aware of the principles of safeguarding as they apply to vulnerable adults in relation to the role. (The protection of children standard Reg. 12)

 To ensure that the Head of Residential Services or their deputy is made aware and kept fully informed of any concerns which the worker may have in relation to safeguarding and/or child protection, including concerns about the practice of a colleague. (The protection of children standard Reg. 12, Reg. 33: Employment of staff)

Please note: 41 weeks per year consists of 38 weeks in term time, 1 week of inset days, and 2 weeks’ short term break as directed by senior management.

Requirements

Qualifications and experience

- 1. Two years working with children, young people or adults with Complex Needs.

The member of staff will be required to have or achieve:

a. Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (within 2 years of commencement of employment)

b. GCSE English Language at grade C or above (or a commitment to achieve the Certificate in Adult Literacy Level 2 within probationary period).

c. Understanding Safe Handling of Medication Level 2

Knowledge, abilities and skills

- 2. Ability to respond calmly and gently to the needs of children and young people with Learning Difficulties, Autism, particularly when they are communicating through behaviour that challenges us.

3. Demonstrated ability to advocate and represent young people’s voices, feelings and wishes by contributing to and implementing care and support plans. Ability to communicate clearly this through high quality reports, records and emails.

4. Ability to organise and carry out activity plans for individual and groups of children/young people, drawing on new ideas to promote young people’s self-confidence, independence and connections in the local community.

5. Willingness to take part in the daily routines of life, including supporting young people with intimate personal care, household tasks and to contribute to the life of the School Community

6. Ability to work effectively and professionally with all those involved with the care, safety and wellbeing of the young people; including allocated support staff, the wider school staff, other professionals, the community and parents and carers.

7. Willingness to accompany children/ young people to take part in a range of preferred activities of their choice, including swimming, at the School and at community facilities.

8. Self-awareness and emotional resilience; the ability to manage the mental and physical demands of working here and an understanding of strategies that prevent workplace stress.

9. Knowledge and understanding of the Regulatory Standards under Ofsted/Nat min standards.

10.A commitment to working in ways that promote inclusion and equality of opportunity.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £24,000.00-£27,000.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Referral programme
• Sick pay
• Wellness programme

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Thanet District: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:

• GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Experience:

• Working with Children: 1 year (preferred)

Language:

• English (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• Driving Licence (preferred)

Work Location: In person