Key Worker

 

Main characteristics

Location

Broadstairs, Kent

Company

Bradstow School

Employment type

Permanent

Category

Education

Job summary

Key Worker
Location: Bradstow School, 34 Dumpton Park Drive, CT10 1BY
Salary: £12.93 - £14.44ph
Contract: Full Time, Term Time
Hours: 41 hours per week
Benefits: Annual Actual Salary, Career Development, Free Parking, Generous Holiday Allowance, Local Government Pension, Meals Provided, Private Healthcare, Highly competitive Local Government Pension Scheme, Employee Rewards High Street Discount Scheme, Private medical insurance, Investors In People Platinum Accredited employer, Fantastic training and development opportunities, Thorough induction process, Strong health and well-being focus and Free meals with our young people
About Us:
Bradstow is a creative and unique residential school for children between the ages of 5 & 19. It is situated in 13 acres of parkland just a few hundred metres from the sandy beaches of Broadstairs. We seek to meet the needs of children and young people with autism and severe learning difficulties with associated behaviours that may be challenging. We have achieved national recognition for our developments in Communication and Behaviour Management
Key Worker - About the Role
Working as part of the childcare team, this role involves providing care and support to students mornings, evenings and weekends, being a students Key Worker and some management responsibility.
The hours for this post include split shifts, some starts from 7.30am, some finishes at 10.00pm and weekend work.
For this post you will need to be willing to commit to achieving the Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare within 2 years of beginning employment at the school.
For all posts we look for candidates who are mature, warm, creative, and open to learning with a patient and caring attitude to deal sensitively with vulnerable children.
Key Responsibilities:
* 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 Bradstows visions, values and organisational behaviours.
* To consistently find ways to support and improve the child / young persons personal environment, sense of companionship and community in their home at Bradstow.
* 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 at Bradstow.
* 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
* 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.
* Through speaking only kindly, encourage positive relationships both as the first point of contact between Bradstow and the child/young persons 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
* 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.
* Using information from reflection to learn how to help define, organise, implement and update child/young persons' 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
* 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.
* 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 Childrens Homes Regulations
* 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.
Key Worker - Skills & Experience:
Two years working with children, young people or adults with Complex Needs. The member of staff will be required to have or achieve;
* Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (within 2 years of commencement of employment)
* GCSE English Language at grade C or above (or a commitment to achieve the Certificate in Adult Literacy Level 2 within probationary period).
* Understanding Safe Handling of Medication Level 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.
* Demonstrated ability to advocate and represent young peoples 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.
* Ability to organise and carry out activity plans for individual and groups of children/young people, drawing on new ideas to promote young peoples self-confidence, independence and connections in the local community.
* Willingness to take part in the daily routines of life at Bradstow, including supporting young people with intimate personal care, household tasks and to contribute to the life of the Bradstow Community
* 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.
* Willingness to accompany children/ young people to take part in a range of preferred activities of their choice, including swimming, at Bradstow and at community facilities.
* Self-awareness and emotional resilience; the ability to manage the mental and physical demands of working at Bradstow and an understanding of strategies that prevent workplace stress.
* Knowledge and understanding of the Regulatory Standards under Ofsted/Nat min standards.
* A commitment to working in ways that promote inclusion and equality of opportunity.
Please Note: In order to be considered for this role you must complete an online application form on Bradstow School website.
If you feel you have the necessary skills and experience to be successful in this role click on APPLY today, forwarding an up to date copy of your CV for consideration in the first instance.
No agencies please