Local Government Jobs

Applewood is a short breaks unit in Burgh Heath due to open in the Autumn 2009. We will provide day places and overnight stays for children with disabilities who live in Surrey. We will be open all year and can offer up to eight children and young people a service at any one time.

This is an opportunity for experienced Residential Workers to specialise in the field of disability. We are opening a new residential short breaks home called Applewood, specifically to work with children and young people with physical disabilities and/or severe learning disabilities. No two days will be the same in this challenging and exciting position.

Within the post of Senior Residential Worker, you will have the responsibility of leading a shift, which will require you to maintain a positive and safe environment within the home working collaboratively with your colleagues. Building relationships with the children and young people at the home, you will contribute to the maintenance of a positive and safe environment. Ensuring your team is sensitive to the ethnic, cultural and religious needs of the children and young people. You will follow all relevant aspects of legislation to deal effectively with complex cases and situations, successfully integrating theory and practice. Active partnership with the young person, parents, social workers, teachers and other agencies will be key to your success and you will consult with them and the managers of the home to develop effective strategies.

Ideally you will have worked with children in a residential setting or with children. Aware of current childcare legislation and the effects of social disadvantage and discrimination, you will have a gift for distinguishing between individual and group needs to resolve conflict and be willing to give and receive constructive feedback. You must also be prepared to work unsociable hours, including public holidays.

The work will involve shift working across a 24 hour service, working weekends and bank holidays at times and you will need to be prepared to take the young people away on holidays.

An enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure, POVA and POCA check will be required for this role.

For an informal discussion about this role, please contact Patricia Williams 07968 834788.

If you are having problems with the website or if you need to request an application form by post, please call 020 8541 9000 (Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm), or alternatively email:

The interviews will be held over two days on the 3 and 4 August 2009. Candidates must attend BOTH days.

Surrey County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Surrey County Council particularly welcomes applications from under represented groups including ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.