Residential Childcare Officer – Cardiff’s Childrens Homes

1. Do you want to work in a meaningful role supporting children to meet their individual needs and overcome challenges helping them to live full and happy lives?
2. As a Residential Childcare Officer, you will play an essential part in providing direct care and effective support to young people to enable them to achieve positive outcomes in line with their childcare personal plan.
3. In return for your skills and commitment you will receive Competitive annual leave entitlements and pension plans.

Job Purpose:

• Under the guidance of the Manager and Deputy Manager as an individual and as a member of a team performing duties concerned with the direct care of young people between the ages of 11–17 or 6 – 18 in a Children’s Home (age group will depend on the individual home you are working in).
• All duties to be performed within the framework of Regulations, Statutory legislation, Council’s Policy, Procedures and Good Practice Guidelines applicable to the post.
• To assist the Manager and Deputy Manager in ensuring that the home meets the standards and expectations of its Statement of Purpose at all times and that the young people staying at the home receive the appropriate support to enable them to achieve positive and agreed outcomes in line with their childcare plans.
• To safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people by fulfilling all duties and responsibilities required by the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014, Registration and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act 2016  and adhere to The Wales Safeguarding Procedures.
• To contribute to the development of a deeper understanding of the young people’s needs and to contribute to the assessment and placement planning process.

Duties and Responsibilities

To meet the needs of young people through:

• Being familiar with and capable of administering the Home in the absence of more senior staff in accordance with the Council policies and in accordance with all relevant legislation, procedures and Good Practice Guidelines. To register and comply with the Social Care Wales and Cardiff Council Codes of Conduct for Social Care Workers.
• Working in line with the Children’s Homes’ individual Statement of Purpose and to take responsibility for the smooth and safe running of the establishment in the absence of more senior staff ensuring that young people receive a sensitive service, which best meets their social, racial, psychological, educational, cultural, physical identity and health care needs.  
• Assuming keyworker responsibilities in relation to specified young people. This will involve the implementation, monitoring and recording of individual Personal  Plans in consultation with your supervisor and other members of the team.
• Participating in the provision of a caring and supported living situation within the Home. This will involve routine household cleaning and maintenance duties and preparation of meals, and the transportation of young people through the utilisation of the Council’s designated vehicles in line with the directions of the Homes Managers.
• Participating in providing relevant reports and ensuring records are fully and accurately completed and processed in accordance with departmental policy and relevant legislation. To use the electronic CareFirst recording system.
• Sensitively receive placements of young people into the Home in accordance with the homes’ Policy and associated procedures.
• Participate in attending to the personal physical health of the young people being looked after, including personal care of young people as and when needed.  This will entail duties and responsibilities in accordance with ‘safe care’ practices and associated procedures. The administration and disposal of drugs and medicines in accordance with professional medical advice and the Home’s procedures.
• Actively supporting the education plans for children including homework, project work and revision. To encourage reading and the intellectual development of young people by creating a positive environment for learning. To make positive links with schools and attend parents evenings etc as appropriate.