Children's Residential Care Team Leader

Job summary

We are a 3-bedroom home in Salford for young people with mental health needs. The home works closely with a psychologist, who supports the team to be able to offer a therapeutic environment for young people to enable them to express and manage their emotions and learn new coping skills which they can take with them to use in later life.

Main duties of the job

You will support the Registered Manager by leading the day-to-day management of a shift. This will involve providing practical assistance and emotional support to empower your team in supporting the children they support to achieve their goals and aspirations.

About us

For children with complex medical needs and sensory impairment to thrive, they need sensory stimulation and encouragement to achieve this. At Courtyard Care, we believe children and young people with complex mental health histories require nurturing and therapy in equal parts.

Our aim is to provide outcome-based support in a safe, welcoming, homely and stimulating environment for children and young people with complex and additional needs. We believe that the environment is crucial in enabling stability and security for all the children and young people during their stay with us.

We provide this high level of care and accommodation at Courtyard Care, by ensuring that all services and accommodation matches, as near as possible, that of a normal domestic home, whilst considering the needs of each child/young person.

We also aim to assist children/young people to lead fulfilling and enriched lives, by enabling them to take part in a variety of social activities. Ensuring each child can follow their preferred social activities with the support of our dedicated and professional residential teams.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Courtyard Care Ltd will endeavor to provide a family orientated, negotiated care package to meet the needs of all the children and their families.

Care Team Leaders will support the management team and have in the direct management of the children/young people and support in the management of the staff teams that support these children/young people to ensure that the highest standard of care is in place. To meet and promote the needs of the children/young people and provide opportunities to advance their opportunities and life experiences in a positive manner. They will support in the recruitment, maintenance and development of the staffing team In addition to ensuring the home is run in line with company policy and will hold supervisory responsibilities for members of the team, they will run shifts and promote positive relationships within the home. Care Team leaders will undertake a wide range of duties which will involve direct care of children who have complex needs within Courtyard Care Ltd homes. They will be expected to work shifts and work flexibly to meet the needs of the children and fulfill all health and safety requirements. They will provide part of the on-call service for the childrens homes if/when required alongside the management team. To act as a member of the team and assist the management in giving the highest standard of care possible to all the children/young people at Courtyard Care Ltd, closely following individual plans, risk assessments and programmes in place. To understand the importance of the need for confidentiality in all clients matters at all times. To act as a role model in conjunction with colleagues to ensure yours and their welfare and create a safe, clean and secure environment for all children/young people and relatives. To take overall responsibility in ensuring the running of the home is to its highest possible standard, coordinating the shift, allocating child supervision and prioritizing care. Act accountable as a resource and role model for the junior staff and the children/young people. Adopt a forward-thinking approach to care provided and act as the childrens advocate in conjunction with the junior staff. To work in a variety of settings if needed, in order to support the children , in the childs family home, educational setting and activity setting etc. To develop skills in order that the childs individual health, social, emotional and psychological development needs are met. To provide support, advice and information to the children, parents and other carers as required. Demonstrate an awareness of child development and the childs need for appropriate cognitive age play, adhering to the rostered activity rota. To act as a driver/escort for the child if needed. Once trained to provide and carry out clinical duties necessary to meet the child/young peoples health needs on a daily basis. Accountable for petty cash while on duty and adhere to the company policy and procedure. Organise time management to accommodate rostered activities and intensive interaction for the shift. To complete supervisions for allocated staff in line with policy and procedure. Identify training requirements for members of the team and actively support team members to develop within their role. To undertake any other duties reasonably requested by the Management.

Communication:

Maintain clearly written, accurate contemporaneous records of involvement with children and their families; in addition, ensure all other child/young peoples documentation is completed and up to date before the end of shift. Report any unusual occurrence in the childs appearance, condition or behavior to management, where necessary adhere to child protection policy. Answer telephone and act in a polite, professional manner, were possible dealing with any queries, otherwise leaving a clear accurate message for management. Act as an ambassador for Courtyard Care Ltd at all times. Ensure daily log, memo file and handover file are checked and completed Ensure diaries are checked and adhere to, delegating responsibilities were necessary. Take part in and ensure thorough client handover takes place ensuring client confidentiality at all times. To work in conjunction with the key workers and management in evaluating ongoing care needs and child/young persons development. To be aware of the emotional, psychological and social needs of the children/young person. To demonstrate empathy and sensitivity to others that is non-judgmental and shows respect for their beliefs, values and culture. Liaise with multi-disciplinary professionals and form inter-agency links and networks. Oversee coordination of the shift ensuring all agreed policies and procedures are adhere to. Take responsibility to keep yourself up to date with any changes in plans, risk assessments etc. for the children/young people including read over files when returning from annual leave or any absences. Attend all staff meetings and any extra responsibility meetings relevant to your role. Use appropriate methods and language to communicate in a succinct and clear manner, to listen and take account of others views and needs. Show understanding and use logic to communicate. Implement and use appropriate methods of communication to provide consistency, structure and predictability encouraging positive engagement.

Legal and Ethical

To know the importance of parental involvement in decision making and the legal requirements regarding parental consent Have knowledge of the rights of the child in conjunction with Childrens Regulations and Quality Standards, Every Child Matters and the importance of giving them information according to their level of understanding. To be personally responsible in demonstrating your awareness of the relevant legislation within childcare in particular Childrens Regulations, Childrens Home Quality Standards and all other Policies, Procedures and Guidelines for Courtyard Care Ltd Have a clear understanding of the role and function of OFSTED. Ensure the provision of the service adheres to the statement of purpose and all relevant legislation. To hold the company values and have pride in your work, acting as an ambassador for Courtyard Care Ltd at all times. To have an up to date understanding of Safeguarding Children Procedure and Looked after Children Procedure.

Training:

To support the management by keeping up to date with the training programme for whole staff team in line with the Workforce Plan. Attend all relevant courses, in-service training days and statutory annual updates in line with the training programme. Identify own training needs which ensures your competence to meet all the needs of the resident children/young people. Develop a personal development plan with staff team for whom hold supervisory responsibility. Maintain personal responsibility for personal training and being professionally updated. To act as a mentor during induction, orientation for all staff and delegate support for new members of the team, ensuring they achieve competence within their probation period. Maintain an overall awareness of current issues in any identified field required for the smooth running of the home.

General

Be responsible for promoting ongoing improvements in the overall successful running of Courtyard Care Ltd. All staff will be expected to attend and contribute to staff meetings and senior staff meetings. Work as an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team creating positive working relationships. All annual leave will be booked in accordance with Courtyard Care Ltd policy and directly through the management team. Take responsibility for the coordination of evacuating the home in case of a fire, adhering to the evacuation procedure. You are expected to report on duty at commencement time of shift, any lateness must be reported to management and documented on the rota and in the daily log. Any sickness should be conducted as per policy and a back to work form must be completed on return to work. Any sickness must be reported directly to the senior staff on shift and management and recorded on the rota. It is your responsibility to ensure any staff returning from sickness, complete sickness form and read back over all documentation up to their last day in work. At work overcome difficulties, setbacks and pressures to get things done, understanding the impact of related complex needs and to recognise and encourage commitment in others. Support children/young people with complex needs to experience life opportunities which promote the growth of individuals to their maximum potential. Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

Relevant qualification to the post in childcare / social work or related subject. Diploma in residential care or essential commitment to complete within time-frame. NNEB DIPSW NVQ Level 4 Good standard of general education. Excellent skills. Safeguarding qualification

Desirable

Experience of disability, medical, mental health and/or associated complex needs relevant to service Experience of administering medication Ability and commitment to manage and support staff to enable cohesive and effective team working Ability to work on your own initiative, within agreed procedures and parameters Ability to establish effective communication with children / young people, staff, relatives, external agencies and other professionals Experience of disability, medical, mental health and/or associated complex needs relevant to service Experience of administering medication Ability and commitment to manage and support staff to enable cohesive and effective team working Ability to work on your own initiative, within agreed procedures and parameters Ability to establish effective communication with children / young people, staff, relatives, external agencies and other professionals Good written and verbal communication skills, ability to write and maintain reports and children / young people notes and communicate effectively with parents/staff/other professionals Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team Able to listen and act on instructions Ability to prioritize and organise day to day workload Ability to organise, support and co-ordinate individual activities that develop appropriate life skills and meet the children / young people areas of interest Knowledge of communication strategies for non-verbal learners (where required)

Experience

Essential

Minimum of 2 years relevant experience Effective communicator both verbally and written Knowledge/experience of children / vulnerable young people who have complex needs relevant to service Displays initiative and approach-ability Displays sensitivity and awareness to multi-cultural issues Have knowledge of current legislation To have the ability to coordinate a shift and prioritize care needs To work under own initiative To have the ability to coordinate and manage unexpected situations Demonstrate an ability to overcome difficult situations, setbacks and pressure and a willingness to get things done Able to work on own initiative and as a team member Have a positive approach to behaviors that could present challenges To have experience of working with staff in a supervisory role Driver of minibus

Desirable

Regular requirements to move and handle children / young people, who have a range of physical abilities, in a variety of settings including community environment, gym, pool areas, children / young people home and some restricted spaces (where required) The ability to meet the physical demands of the post which requires substantial walking, standing, lifting, bending, working on the floor, twisting and pushing any wheelchair within the children / young people premises and within the community (where required)

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