Key Worker

**KEY RESPONSIBILITIES**

**Professional Childcare Practice**

To be active around safeguarding and initiating:

- Talking with and listening to the children and young people, and observing their behaviour
- Being alert to any signs of distress or abuse and to ensure that the children and young people are monitored, supervised, and protected
- Complying with the relevant Legislation and Statutory Regulations in relation to the care of children and young people in a residential care home
- Implementing the Home’s Statement of Purpose and policies and procedures
- Accurately recording significant information and events using the Home’s Software Management System (Clear Care)
- In accordance with Equality Act (2010) by being sensitive to the diverse needs of individual children and young people, taking account of their race, disability, culture, gender, language, religion, and sexual orientation, thus providing protection against all aspects of discrimination.
- Contributing to all aspects of care planning and directly assisting in the implementation of relevant plans
- Encouraging, facilitating, and monitoring of friendships from within the Home, and where possible outside the Home, with the understanding and awareness that it is our interpersonal relationships that, in part, defines us
- Attending and participating in Statutory Reviews and other meetings as required
- The setting and maintaining of appropriate boundaries for children and young people and ensuring an informed response is taken in addressing boundary issues
- Working in a way which models and inspires children and young people to seek enjoyment and achievement in appropriate ways
- Supporting and encouraging children and young people to develop essential life skills including preparing and understanding the benefits of a well-balanced meal/diet and staying healthy. Life skills also includes knowledge and training around financial management, budgeting, maintaining their environment, shopping, laundry and selfcare and personal hygiene
- Creating a stimulating environment including access to purposeful and enjoyable activities, including sports, arts and crafts, and activities which may utilise local facilities and day/residential trips with the children and young people
- To work on a rota-basis inclusive of night duties, weekends, and bank holidays, as required
- To undertake any other reasonable duties within the context of Adeza Care Homes Ltd provision of services to children and young people at the Registered Manager and other senior staff’s request
- In accordance with the Home’s policies and procedures and social care values, all staff are required to observe strict and complete confidentiality regarding information obtained while carrying out their duties

**Contact**
- Being in regular contact with the child or young person’s parent(s) and significant family members, social worker, school, college, health and other professionals working with the child or young person in accordance with care plan goals
- Overseeing visits to the Home in line with the Home’s Visitors Policy and child or young person’s care plan, and record details accordingly

**Teamwork**
- As a professionally qualified member of the staff team, supporting colleagues and being prepared to receive support as necessary, is central to this role
- Attending and participating in staff meetings as and when required, including minute taking and chairing
- Complete handovers fully, in accordance with best practice and handover guidance, including but not limited to: the whereabouts and care plan activities of each young person, relevant developments, checking petty cash and premises, highlighting appointments and recording the information using the Home’s Management System Software (Clear Care)
- Bringing flexible and professional judgements to all decision-making processes in order to reflect the needs of the children and young people as well as the organisation and other stakeholders

**The Home**
- Ensuring that the general atmosphere of the Home is one that provides warmth and safety as well as facilitating nurture. Thus, enabling the development of positive social and emotional skills which are essential in the management and exploration of personal difficulties, reassurance, and comfort
- Sharing the practical activities of cleaning, shopping and general house management, as well as ensuring that Health and Safety policies and procedures are adhered to
- Wearing appropriate clothing that is practical and maintains professional standards in accordance with the Adeza’s Dress Code policy
- Being mindful at all times of our duty and responsibility to be an appropriate role model

**Administration and Finance**
- Participating in the compilation and use of a weekly menu that reflects both learning and good diet, and as far as possible, the involvement of the children and young people
- Balancing, reconciling and recording of petty cash expenditure and account