Children's Care Officers

Could you join our amazing team and make a difference to the children in our care?

What you will do

No two days are the same in residential care; in this incredibly rewarding job you'll be passionate about care and deeply committed to helping our children to grow. You will have the ability to professionally nurture children and young people and be able to help them develop socially and emotionally whilst dealing with challenging behaviour.

You will be working in the home with the children, helping them to learn to do practical tasks independently such as brushing their teeth or learning to cook. You’ll help to run the home, cooking meals, administering medication and performing some cleaning duties. You’ll spend time in the community taking the children for days out or trips to the local shops, even on a seaside holiday.

You will also work with other agencies such as education, children’s social care, police and health to help create and action holistic plans that meet our children’s needs. You’ll also liaise with parents and support the children and young people to spend time with their family and friends. Our Level 2's take on extra responsibilities such as shift leading, developing projects, developing direct work with children, mentoring and inspiring new staff.

This role is offered on a full time/permanent basis where you will work a shift pattern. This includes working on rota over a 7 day period which can include weekends and bank holidays. There are sleep in duties and an additional allowance is payable for sleep-in duties.

About the home

Our home in Grantham is a purpose-built Residential Home providing full time care for young people with disabilities and learning needs. 

All of our children have individual plans that are designed to meet their needs. Some children will remain at the home until they reach adulthood, some will move on to live with family members, foster care or semi-independent living. We strive to keep all of our children connected with their families with the hope of being able to live with their families once again.

Our team

Laughing every day and coming together in hard times, we make a difference every day and every day is different. We are a supportive team who through working together build and create the most positive outcomes for children and young people at our Grantham Home.

Due to the sensitive nature of our job, staff build good relationships and enjoy socialising together such as quiz nights, going to the theatre, poker nights and exercising. We have regular wellbeing and mindfulness sessions as our management team strongly believe that our welfare is key to creating a happy and nurturing home environment for the children in our care.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Is caring and playful, our children have lots of energy and like to explore and play
• Enjoys spending time with children and helping them to stay connected to their families and friends
• Is passionate about the care of children and young people, you will be able to create an environment where children feel safe, nurtured, loved and at home
• Is curious about what a child might need and enthusiastic about helping to meet their needs
• Able to set boundaries in a firm but hugely kind way and learn to use different approaches
• Willing to undertake a QCF qualification in working with children.
• Able to use a computer at a basic level and will have knowledge and/or experience of the caring profession.
• Be part of a  keyworking team for one of our children 

Above all else you need to have a positive "can do" attitude and be passionate about working with children at the home, developing plans and supporting their growth and development.

Our offer

Joining us a Residential Care Officer you will have a full and comprehensive induction. You will undertake training in Trauma Crisis intervention work and Social Pedagogy. You will obtain a QCF Level 3 in Residential which is undertaken over a 2 year period with the full support of Lincoln College and the management team where you will have protected study time to be able to complete this course.

This is not just a carer role; this is so much more, this is a rewarding career. We promote and support workers in their professional development in anyway we can. Along with a competitive salary of £23,194-£25,878 , we are offering;

• A Contributory pension
• Comprehensive benefits package including excellent discount schemes and cycle to work
• Career progression opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement plus the option to buy more

Further details can be found in our rewards and benefits brochure.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Gemma Hart on 01476 564283.

In accordance with Ofsted requirements, all applicants must supply two references and provide full employment history and evidence to verify their eligibility to work in the UK. It is important to note that we are required to contact all previous employers that involved you working with young people and/or vulnerable adults in order to ascertain the reason for you leaving that employment. All posts are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Please be advised that this position may be subject to a criminal record check.

All candidates are advised to read the attached job information pack prior to making an application.

On occasion we receive significantly more applications than expected for some vacancies and under such circumstances we reserve the right to bring forward the closing date of the advertisement. We therefore strongly advise you to apply for the role promptly to avoid disappointment should the closing date be brought forward. 

We operate a talent pool scheme whereby candidates who are not successful on this occasion may be considered for a period of up to 3 months for equal positions.

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