Residential Support Worker

Orsa Independent Living (OIL) provides high-quality, supported accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 across the West Midlands. Our primary objective is to offer a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where young people can develop the skills and confidence necessary to transition successfully into independent adulthood.

Orsa Housing is committed to supporting young people to achieve positive outcomes in all areas of their lives. Our core aims are:

- To provide safe and stable accommodation tailored to the individual needs of each young person.
- To support young people in developing the life skills necessary for independent living, including budgeting, cooking, and managing responsibilities.
- To promote educational engagement, vocational training, and employment opportunities to help young people reach their potential.
- To foster positive relationships and social connections within the community.
- To support young people’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being through holistic and person-centred care.
- To offer a trauma-informed, restorative approach that helps young people manage their behaviour, make informed choices, and take responsibility for their actions.
- To ensure the voice of each young person is heard and respected, promoting their rights, autonomy, and participation in decisions affecting their care.

The ethos of Orsa Housing is built on the following key values:

- **Respect and Dignity**: We treat every young person with respect, honouring their dignity and individuality. Our support is tailored to the young person’s needs, ensuring that their rights are upheld at all times.
- **Empowerment**: We believe in empowering young people to take control of their lives, make informed decisions, and gain confidence in their abilities.
- **Inclusivity**: Orsa Housing is committed to creating an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. We welcome young people from all backgrounds and provide support that is sensitive to cultural, religious, and personal needs.
- **Collaboration**: We value collaborative working between young people, staff, external professionals, and families, recognising that strong partnerships are crucial to successful outcomes.
- **Accountability and Transparency**: We are committed to providing a transparent service that is accountable to the young people we serve, their families, and other stakeholders. We actively seek feedback to improve our services

**Duties and Responsibilities**
- To ensure that a caring and motivating environment is provided for the young people that takes into account individual developmental needs and enables young people to reach their full potential
- To plan and prepare activities that meet the young people's needs and stimulates their learning and integration within the home.
- Keep well-informed of legislation, guidelines, policies to ensure the Children's Act, Children's homes regulations and the national minimum standards are met at all times. To be aware of all Ofsted guidance and information in regard to the home.
- To observe and assess young people's progress and keep accurate records of their achievements, behaviour and important events in their lives. To produce and keep up to date records for any young person for whom you have key working responsibilities.
- To work with local authorities/ placing authorities to ensure the care the young people receive is outstanding
- To establish and maintain positive working relationships with parents/carers in a way that supports young people's learning and development and values parental involvement where appropriate.
- To be flexible within working practices of the home e.g. To help, where needed, including undertaking domestic tasks within the home, which will include preparation of meals, cleaning, shopping etc.
- Work alongside the Manager and staff team to ensure that the ethos and values of Orsa Independent living are upheld.
- To keep clear and legible records regarding the young people. To ensure that entries in records are legible, clearly expressed, non-stigmatising and distinguished as far as possible between fact, opinion and third-party information

**Essential Skills**
- You must hold a driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
- Hold Residential Childcare/Families Practitioner Diploma/Children and Young People's Workforce/NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent - or be willing to work towards a required qualification
- You would need to be willing to engage the young people in a wide range of activities and support them through their time at OIL; guiding them towards Independence and Adulthood.
- You will need to be flexible with your working hours and be able to work a mixture of days, evenings and weekends. This role requires shift work in a 2 on four off shift pattern.
- You must be able to challenge unacceptable behaviour, provide firm boundaries and provide care which meets the needs of the individual
- Must be able to work as