About Us

Blue Cove is a short-term emergency assessment home that provides support to children at times of crisis or significant periods of change in their lives. We are seeking a passionate individual with excellent organisational skills and to ensure the team is offering high standards of support to children with a focus on consistency and aspirational outcomes and a “can do” attitude to support our home.

Blue Cove offers support and care to children who present with a range of social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties due to family breakdown and early childhood trauma. These children are often at risk in the community and as such, it is our goal to keep them safe from harm whilst we work with partner agencies to find a suitable placement or to support them to reintegrate into their previous or a new setting.

Blue Cove is a 3-bed home and welcomes children, of all genders, between the ages of 12 and 16 years at the time of referral. We offer emergency placements to children lasting between 28 and 90 days, based on their individual circumstances and needs. Staff support children through building positive relationships and role modelling. Children will be encouraged to partake in a range of activities, both in and outdoors to build upon their confidence and resilience. Blue Cove is a fast-paced, exciting home to work in, providing exceptional care and support for children.

About The Job

Salary: £27,711 - £29,093 per annum including weekend working allowance (salary £26,409-£27,711 plus weekend working allowance of £1,302 - £1,382)
Working Pattern: Full time (37 hours) + rota for evening and weekend work
Contract: Fixed Term contract to cover maternity leave
Location: Worthing

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

Internal candidates wishing to apply for Fixed Term role will be considered for a secondment position. Please can you therefore discuss and agree this with your manager before applying for this position.

The role of Childcare Worker

To succeed at this role, you will help to provide a nurturing, positive and safe environment for our children and young people, ensuring that we meet our statutory obligations to the highest standards possible. With direct responsibility for designated children or young people, you will ensure that each person is given the appropriate care and support to achieve their full potential.

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

Shifts and rotas - for day work, you will be required to work on a shift rota between 07:00 – 22:00, which will include every other weekend and sleep in duties when needed. This will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate.

Experience and Skills

Essential

Good standard of literacy e.g. ability to write reports around individuals and significant incidents and to be able to write application for level 3 diploma if required. Could be gained through formal education or vocational experience
Grade D or above (3+) in GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English (Grade C or above (4-9) preferred)
Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare or equivalent. If you do not have this, the service will support you to complete this qualification; you must achieve this within two years of appointment as it is a statutory requirement of this post

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

If you do not hold a Maths and English GCSE at grade D/3 or equivalent, you will need to apply for Maths and English Functional Skills before being considered for this role. You can find out more about gaining a Maths and English Functional Skills on the Government website Improve your English, Maths and IT Skills.

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

Rewards and Benefits

As an employer we recognise that it is our employees that are central to everything we do. We aim to create a supportive and dynamic working environment where employees can achieve their full potential, achieve a healthy work-life balance, and are rewarded for the work they do.

In addition to working within a great team and a competitive salary you will have access to:

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 CAFHE03656 .

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

Theo Barclay (Registered Manager) theo.barclay@westsussex.gov.uk

Elaine West (Resourcing Specialist Advisor) elaine.west@westsussex.gov.uk

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 and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and an occupational health check. A fully employment history will be requested and covered for this role.

Equity, inclusion and accessibility is very important to West Sussex County Council. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone, as this helps us build a diverse and talented workforce, that reflects the communities we serve. We ensure our approach to recruitment is flexible and supportive to enable all applicants to be at their best and to ensure they have the best possible chance of success.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that have a disability, are a veteran or are a care leaver. More information can be found on our application help page.

Job Reference: CAFHE03656

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