Residential Night Childcare Worker

**About Us**
Breakwater offers short to medium term residential care for children aged 12-17 on admission. You will be working with children who present a range of social, emotional, and mental health difficulties due to family breakdown and early childhood trauma. Children who are referred to Breakwater are often victims of exploitation, involved in crime, and may have experienced a breakdown in education provision. They may be at risk of becoming homeless and have limited support around them.

Alongside the main part of the home, Breakwater also offers two smaller self-contained flats to support children who are looking to move into semi-independent living. We recognise that the transition to adulthood can be challenging, and that we need to promote emotional and social development alongside practical skills to achieve readiness for the future. The two flats are fully equipped for children to meet all their independence needs, with the additional support of staff being on hand when needed. While living in these flats, the children complete a six-month programme, which prepares them for independent living. The Breakwater team are trained in a range of interventions to promote independence and support children during this transitional period.

For more information, please visit our dedicated Residential **website, Careers in Children's Residential Care.**

**About The Job** Salary**:£21,254 - £22,106 per annum (pro-rata for part time, £20,444 - £20,852 salary, weekend working allowance £810.96 - £1,254) plus sleep-in payments.
**Working Pattern**: Part time and full time hours available (37 hours full time)
**Contract**:Permanent
**Location**: Shoreham

As a Night Childcare Worker, you will ensure that all children’s and young people’s physical and emotional night care needs are met. This may include managing challenging behaviour and providing personal care, advice, assistance and support.

Your main responsibilities will be to help children and young people settle into night-time and morning routines, such as washing, getting up in the morning and getting ready for bed and to assist in the provision and preparation of meals in the Home. The support given enables our children and young people to maintain and improve their skills and daily lives in line with individual care plans.

There are many challenges, but we support each other to overcome these and work closely with many other professionals too. This enables us to continue to provide the high quality of care to our children, in a homely and caring environment.

**Experience and Skills** Essential**
- Grade D or above (3+) in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English (Grade C or above (4-9) preferred)
- A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent qualification (this can be gained on the job but must be applied for within one month of commencing employment and must be completed within 2 years of the date of commencement of employment)

**Desirable**
- Awareness of the development needs of children in residential care.
- Knowledge of Children’s home regulations 2015 (England).
- Knowledge of how to support children who have experienced trauma, harm or abuse.
- Previous childcare experience, preferably in a residential setting.
- Experience of working with children with disabilities, complex high-risk adolescents or related experience e.g. adults with disabilities.

Please be advised you are required to bring certificates for your Maths and English and any Childcare qualifications you hold.

**Rewards and Benefits**
- 20+ days of training within your first year.
- An excellent local government pension scheme
- Funding for a Level 3 Diploma for Children’s Workforce, with an opportunity for further funding to enable you to progress your career.
- A clear career path of progression from unqualified to senior qualified.
- You will receive weekend working and sleep-in allowances if you work weekends or night shifts.
- 23 days annual leave + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually.

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our **Rewards and Benefits** page.

**Further Information**
The reference number for this role is **CAFHE03679 **.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact one of the following people;

**To apply, upload your CV and cover letter, explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role, ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.**

**We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.**

Job Reference: CAFHE03679