Residential Childcare Officer

An exciting opportunity has developed for Residential Childcare Officers working in a Therapeutic Children’s Home in County Durham.

Vita Nova are looking for enthusiastic, compassionate and motivated individuals who can work in the capacity of therapeutic professional parents, to support and care for vulnerable children and young people. As a Residential Childcare Worker, you will put our children and young people at the centre of everything you do. You will be providing emotional and social support in order for them to flourish and develop.

This is a very important and rewarding role with children and young people at the very centre of our approach. You will be involved in supporting them in all aspects of their life, their emotional well-being, and other elements of their daily life such as school attendance, activities, hobbies and any other aspirations they may wish to follow. As a Residential Childcare Worker you will also be supporting our young people with the more routine aspects of life including household tasks, attending appointments and maintaining contact with family and friends.

**Who are we looking for?**

Vita Nova would like you to join our family environment if you have a genuine desire to help and support children. We require applicants to share our aim in which is to try and improve the lives of our children and young people, to give them every chance to have a better life and a better future. You must be reliable, enthusiastic and resilient as well as compassionate, understanding and friendly.

**To be considered you must meet the following criteria**:
**Desirable Skills and Requirements**:

- It would be beneficial if you had an NVQ Level 3 in Residential Childcare or equivalent. However, if you do not have this qualification then you should be excited and driven of the prospect of gaining a recognised qualification with full financial and practical support from Vita Nova as full training can be provided for the right individuals.
- Due to the rural location of our homes, you will hold a full UK driving license and have access to your own vehicle.
- You will consider yourself to be a resilient and reliable individual who is able to remain calm in situations that may be difficult and challenging.
- Our young people are cared for on a 24-hour basis and you will be required to work some sleep-ins in order to support this.
- You will be qualified to GCSE level 4 (C) or above in Maths & English, or have an equivalent qualification.

**Essential Skills & Requirements**:

- You should be well organised and passionate for working with children and young people.
- You should be confident working both independently and as part of a team.
- You should be reliable & resilient and have a caring nature.
- Be computer literate and have a basic knowledge in using Microsoft office including word & outlook.
- You will be required to have good organisational skills and be an accurate record keeper.

**Duties & Responsibilities**:

- Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Delivery of child care is of the highest standard.
- Acting in a parent role.
- Meeting the needs of the children in line with our PACE model of care.
- Ensuring the home environment is kept to a high standard in terms of a nurturing environment for our children to develop and grow.

**Why work for us?**

Be part of an exciting North East company where we endeavour to invest in our staff team. Whilst working for Vita Nova, you will receive:

- Career progression opportunities
- Continuous personal development opportunities and training opportunities you may wish to pursue
- First-Rate employee bonus & benefit scheme
- A homely working environment in a beautiful rural location
- An interesting and varied career where no 2 days are the same
- Be paid hourly with rates depending on experience
- A competitive sleep in rate for every sleep in shift you undertake
- Various employee rewards & benefits scheme's and company pension scheme
- Flexible working hours
- Meals provided whilst on shift including meals out and meals whilst on activities

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £26,284.00-£32,588.00 per year

Additional pay:

- Bonus scheme
- Performance bonus
- Yearly bonus

**Benefits**:

- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free or subsidised travel
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Referral programme

Schedule:

- Day shift
- Night shift
- Overtime
- Weekend availability

**Experience**:

- Residential Childcare: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

- UK Manual Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 05/05/2025
Expected start date: 01/07/2025