Residential Support Workers

Overview

Kent County Council's Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking (UAS) Children's Service provides accommodation and support to newly arrived UAS children in Kent. The Service is developing as a centre of excellence nationally and we are seeking passionate individuals to join our service. Reception Centres, staffing and services KCC provides to UAS children, are fully funded by Central Government. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Service's Reception Centre team.

The Reception and Safe Care Services are Kent County Council owned, Ofsted regulated, children's homes and supported accommodation, collectively termed Reception Centres. The Reception Centres, and the services they provide to children, are run by a diverse team of managers and workers who are all committed to ensuring children are protected and supported to take the first steps in their journey to a more permanent home elsewhere in the UK.

This role is for Aspen Lodge. Aspen Lodge is based in Deal, Dover and is a children s home for UAS children aged under 16-years-old, with a capacity of up to 18 children. Located in a rural setting in the village of Sholden, the centre offers views of green fields and a peaceful atmosphere. Aspen Lodge has established links with local services and organisations in the community for young people to access a variety of activities.

This Reception Centre is subject to Ofsted regulations for Children s Homes 2015.

We are seeking experienced Residential setting managers who can support the day-to-day running of the children s home ensuring that all UAS children begin their resettlement journey with the support they need. Children s Home Managers need to be able to role model good practice and organise staff to support all UAS children during their stay from practical objectives and learning, through to emotional support.

We are seeking Residential Support Workers who have experience of working alongside UAS children and who thrive on direct work and providing support in a residential setting. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and influence the resettlement of children in the UK who have suffered trauma and change. This role involves managing routines, setting goals for young people, timekeeping and facilitating a learning culture in the centre.

This role is important for UAS children during their early stages in the UK. If you are enthusiastic about with working with children, understand the UAS children s journey and want to help achieve the best outcomes for them - please apply.

This post is considered by KCC to be a customer-facing position. The Council therefore has a statutory duty under Part 7 of the Immigration Act (2016) to ensure that post holders have a command of spoken English/Welsh sufficient for the effective performance of the job requirements. The appropriate standards are set out in the Job Description/Person Specification.

Status and Working Arrangements

• Work that works for you and us - let s talk flexibility! KCC is committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the county s working residents, encouraging applications from people of all ages, abilities, genders, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, faiths and those with caring responsibilities, and aspires to create an inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves at work.
• Please note - if you are interested, please apply soon as possible as the closing date for this advert may be earlier than stated should a number of suitably qualified candidates apply.
• This post will be required to work across a rolling shift pattern, with weekly alternating shifts, and regular cover over weekends. The rota pattern is 4 shifts on, followed by 2 rest days - each block of 4 shifts will alternate between 8:00 am - 4:30 pm and 1:30 pm - 10:00 pm. Applicants must be 21 years of age or above, to meet Ofsted regulations.

• Support the day-to-day running of Aspen Lodge, a children s home for UAS children under 16, with capacity up to 18.
• Role model good practice and organise staff to support UAS children during their stay, including practical objectives, learning, and emotional support.
• Manage routines, set goals for young people, maintain timekeeping, and facilitate a learning culture in the centre.
• Collaborate with local services and organisations to provide access to a variety of activities for young people.
• Ensure that UAS children begin their resettlement journey with the support they need.

• Experience of working with UAS children in a residential setting is preferred.
• Experience of working alongside UAS children and thriving on direct work and providing support in a residential setting.
• Enthusiasm for working with children and understanding the UAS journey to help achieve the best outcomes.
• Role requires managing duties across a rolling shift pattern and weekend coverage.
• Applicants must be 21 years of age or above.
• The post is customer-facing;
  English/Welsh language proficiency sufficient…