Children's Support Worker

_Are you passionate about supporting vulnerable children and young people?_

Paragon Social Care are on the look out for experienced and resilient support workers who are dedicated to providing the best care to the children who need it most.

Due to the nature of the work we do, we are extremely selective in who we employ. You must be engaging and very proactive. Utilizing the needs of the young person and effectively planning activities to support their growth and development.
- You are experienced in supporting children with challenging behaviours (UK experience is essential).
- Your DBS is clear, we cannot employ anyone without a clear DBS.
- You are a car driver and have access to a vehicle for work. Many of our placements are in rural locations where public transport doesn't reach.
- You have no limits on your visa on the number of hours you can work each week.
- You are flexible in your working life and can commit to a minimum 4 bookings a week.
- You don't have a full time job elsewhere.
- You are resilient and can work confidently with very challenging young people.
- You understand that this is a zero hours contract, we cannot guarantee any number of hours each week.

Our support work with young people can take place in the following settings:

- In the Family Home.
- In the Community.
- At Hospital.
- In Unregulated Accommodation.

**1. Support Work in the Family Home**

This support is usually on a 1:1 basis but can sometimes be 2:1. It can be from just a couple of hours each day to 24/7 support. Often the need for support arises when a young person is being discharged from hospital and the parents need extra support whilst the young person integrates back into family life. Or it could also be if one or more of the children are particularly challenging and and extra support is required to help stabilse the home environment. Welfare checks can also form part of this support.

**2. Support in the Community**

This type of support can be if a young person, who is looked after by the council, needs to be taken out for the day. Activities are discussed and a set budget is given. This support us usually on a 1:1 basis.

**3. Support at Hospital**

We support young people who are looked after by the council if they are staying at hospital. This is usually 1:1 support and can be anything from a few hours a day to 24/7 support lasting weeks or sometimes months. Supervised contact with parents or family members can form part of this support.

**4. Support in Unregulated Accommodation**

When young people are between placements they can often need short term emergency accommodation. This type of support is 24/7 and always a minimum 2:1 ratio, sometimes 3:1 or 4:1 depending on the needs of the young person. The support can last from a few days up to a few weeks. We arrange activities for the young person to do and take them to meetings for example with the YOS. We also cook for them, clean their clothes and keep the house clean and tidy. Our main duty is to keep the young person safe.

We will pay for your Mandatory Training as well as PMVA Training. We also cover the cost of your DBS. We offer very generous pay rates.

**Job Types**: Temporary contract, Zero hours contract

**Salary**: £18.00-£28.00 per hour

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Flexitime

Schedule:

- 12 hour shift
- Day shift
- Every weekend
- Flexitime
- Monday to Friday
- Night shift
- Overtime
- Weekend availability

Application question(s):

- How far are you willing to travel?

**Experience**:

- Children's Support worker: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

- driving licence and have access to a vehicle? (required)

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: Children's Support Worker

Flextime