Residential Childcare Workers

**About the team**
Hertfordshire County Council believes in keeping young people close, to enable them to maintain their identity, and to maintain links with the community to which they belong, this in turn allows us to support these young people, their families, and friends.

We understand the impact of trauma on children and are passionate about helping these young people find their strengths and explore what they want to achieve with their lives. We believe in nurturing positive relationships and are wholly dedicated to never giving up on a child.
**About the role**
Below are some of the things you could say about your role on a day-to-day basis working in our Residential Care homes:
“It’s the best job in the World”
“The work life balance is brilliant”
“I am at home more than I am at work - both families benefit”
“’Thanks for running me a bath’ - is what made me smile today - win/win”.

If you really want to make a difference to a young person’s life then read on

It is hard to put a job title on a role where you are mentor, teacher, coach, deliverer of parental guidance, role model, therapist, councillor, and family liaison, often all in the same day.

Daily you will be liaising with a host of individuals and services, from our young person’s family to schools and education authorities, social workers, police and a whole range of other internal and external contacts.

The essence of the role is to support, almost as an extension of the family, one young person to help them develop into adulthood as effectively as possible, establishing routine, boundaries and consistency in a calm, non-judgemental manner. You will work with children and young people who display challenging behaviour due to early life trauma.

No two days are the same in our Residential Service - on your working days you could be taking your young person horse riding, painting, for a drive, for a walk, out shopping, or attending virtual schools. You will support children to achieve and grow through positive experiences.

“You are there when I rise, when I eat, when I play, and you are there to put me to bed at the end of my day”.

Our commitment to young people in our care is to be there around the clock for them. As part of your role you will complete relevant paperwork and work within relevant legislation.

You will be part of a team working on a shift/rota basis; you will work together with the rest of the team, and your senior, to organise this in advance. Due to the nature of our care, there may be occasions where you need to swap shifts and working together with your team we can achieve this flexibility.
**About you** Essential**:

- Full UK Driving Licence (including business insurance) and regular access to a car.
- Passion for working with children.
- Ability to learn and implement training.
- Flexible and innovative to meet the challenge.
- Willing to work shifts, including evening/ weekend/ bank holidays and sleeping duties.

**Desirable**:

- Hold Diploma level 3/ 4 Health and social care.
- Experience of working with children or caring for children and young people

**How to apply**

**Disability Confident**

**Safeguarding**
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

**Driving required**
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.

**English Fluency**
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.

Job Reference: HCC20422