Job Description

Senior Residential Support Worker
Children and Young People
Leeds
Contract type - Permanent
£30,151 - £32,020 (Average earning including Secure Allowance £36,561 - £38,605)

Are you resilient and empathetic, with the ability to inspire positive change in vulnerable young people who can be hard to engage? Do you have a good understanding of child and adolescent development, a restorative approach and relevant experience? If the answer's yes, the role of Senior Practitioner at this Secure Children's Home could be right for you.

This service cares for 24 young people aged 10 to 18. They are referred to us following court proceedings, placed on remand or sentenced to a period of detention, or because they need to be placed in secure accommodation for their own safety or the safety of others. You will lead a team of care practitioners who have a vital role in the daily lives and long-term outlook for the vulnerable young people , who may have complex needs and display challenging behaviours.

Our goal is to inspire change in attitudes, behaviours, learning and emotions. We want to enable every young person to grow up and make a positive contribution as part of their family and wider community, safe from risk-taking behaviour, exploitation and offending.

The role
As a Senior Practitioner, you will be the lead practitioner for the staff team . You will play an active role in the daily lives of our young people, using a restorative approach to support them in their personal growth and learning.

You will:
" provide leadership, supervision and support to the care team
" work alongside the Team Manager to deliver high-quality care in a safe, secure environment
" manage staff following policy and procedure, and support with recruitment and staff development
" ensure key working and case management protects young people, minimises risk and promotes positive outcomes
" manage behaviour in a proactive, solution-focused manner and develop long-term strategies
" provide primary care responsive to individual needs, including health care, learning support and personal development
" coordinate activities to enhance young people's experiences day to day and for special occasions

About you
We are looking for experienced, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with the personal qualities to connect with and inspire vulnerable children and young people. You must have:
" the confidence to lead your team and liaise with other professionals and all stakeholders
" excellent communication and listening skills
" self-awareness to understand your potential impact on others, with ability to reflect on your own practice
" flexibility to work shifts including weekends, bank holidays and nights

We expect the following experience and qualifications:
" good verbal and written English, numeracy and basic computer literacy
" Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (or equivalent), or commitment to achieving the qualification within a reasonable period (we pay the course fees)
" understanding of child and adolescent development
" understanding of restorative and trauma-informed practice
" knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and child protection and safeguarding principles
" experience working in a residential childcare environment and of supporting children or young people with complex and challenging behaviour
" experience supervising staff and managing their development and training

We offer:
" a competitive salary plus enhancements for sleep-in duties and working weekends
" generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holiday allowance
" funding for you to study for relevant qualifications
" ongoing training opportunities for you to build the skills you need to do your best for the young people in your care
" a clear career path for the right candidates through the team structure, with potential for progression into senior practitioner and management roles

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