Residential Night Childcare Worker

**About Us**
Orchard House is an Outstanding Ofsted-rated home, providing a range of services that make a difference to the lives of children who have severe and complex learning disabilities, and their families.

We are a creative team who work hard to give children opportunities to develop to their full potential whilst ensuring they feel safe and have a lot of fun.

Our support is tailored to meet individual needs and ranges from clubs and day care to short breaks and full-time care.

We are a cohesive team who can discuss ideas and challenge issues to inform decision making and we believe in looking after each other so that we are able to offer our best to the children.

Work here is not always easy, but it is rewarding and every day is different.

What do people say about us:

- “a fantastic home, where everyone went way beyond what we were expecting and always with a smile. Orchard House and its staff will stay in our hearts forever.”_
- “a thoughtful, enthusiastic and reflective team who were really energising to work with.”_

For more information, please visit our dedicated Residential **website, Careers in Children's Residential Care.**

**About The Job** Salary**:£21,254 - £22,106 per annum (pro-rata for part time, £20,444 - £20,852 salary, weekend working allowance £810.96 - £1,254) plus sleep-in payments.
**Working Pattern**: Part time and full time hours available (37 hours full time)
**Contract**:Permanent
**Location**: Cuckfield, Haywards Heath

**Children’s Residential Recruitment and Retention Payment scheme - £1500 during your first 18 months**

To support recruitment into this vital area West Sussex County Council offer £1,500 during the employee’s first 18 months where they are recruited to a new permanent role which is identified as hard to recruit and remain in the County Council’s employment during this time.

The scheme consists of two payments: £500 after successful completion of 6 months employment (including successful completion of probation where relevant) and £1,000 after 18 months

As a Night Childcare Worker, you will ensure that all children’s and young people’s physical and emotional night care needs are met. This may include managing challenging behaviour and providing personal care, advice, assistance and support.

Your main responsibilities will be to help children and young people settle into night-time and morning routines, such as washing, getting up in the morning and getting ready for bed and to assist in the provision and preparation of meals in the Home. The support given enables our children and young people to maintain and improve their skills and daily lives in line with individual care plans.

There are many challenges, but we support each other to overcome these and work closely with many other professionals too. This enables us to continue to provide the high quality of care to our children, in a homely and caring environment.

**Experience and Skills** Essential**
- Grade D or above (3+) in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English (Grade C or above (4-9) preferred)
- A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent qualification (this can be gained on the job but must be applied for within one month of commencing employment and must be completed within 2 years of the date of commencement of employment)

**Desirable**
- Awareness of the development needs of children in residential care.
- Knowledge of Children’s home regulations 2015 (England).
- Knowledge of how to support children who have experienced trauma, harm or abuse.
- Previous childcare experience, preferably in a residential setting.
- Experience of working with children with disabilities, complex high-risk adolescents or related experience e.g. adults with disabilities.

Please be advised you are required to bring certificates for your Maths and English (C and above) and any Childcare qualifications you hold.

**Rewards and Benefits**
- 20+ days of training within your first year.
- An excellent local government pension scheme
- Funding for a Level 3 Diploma for Children’s Workforce, with an opportunity for further funding to enable you to progress your career.
- A clear career path of progression from unqualified to senior qualified.
- You will receive weekend working and sleep-in allowances if you work weekends or night shifts.
- 23 days annual leave + bank holidays with the ability to buy additional leave annually.

For a full list of the benefits offered to you as a West Sussex County Council employee you can find them on our **Rewards and Benefits** page.

**Further Information**
The reference number for this role is **CAFHE03680 **.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, please contact one of the following people;

**To apply, upload your CV and cover letter, explaining the skills and experience you can bring to the role, ensuring that any gaps in employment are covered in your CV.**

**We are committed to safeguarding