Do you want a challenging and rewarding career with real opportunities to change the lives of young people in secure care? If you are dynamic, adaptable, resilient, dedicated and enthusiastic then we want to hear from you.
Who we are
Atkinson Secure Children’s Home is a multi-disciplinary service (care, education and health) for children and young people across England and Wales aged 10-17 years who had their liberty restricted due to the risk they pose to themselves and others. Our approach is to provide therapeutic parenting to young people who have experienced abuse and as a result they present with difficult behaviours such as aggression, self-harm and violence. The young people we care for are often in crisis and require intensive support, psychological interventions and physical intervention (restraint) at a last resort.
Why Choose Us
Working at Atkinson Secure Children’s Home is not just a job, it’s one of the most rewarding career choices you will make. Our work is emotionally and physically demanding but if you have the drive, dedication, resilience, and passion then you will enjoy an exciting and stable career with us. We understand the importance of finding the right people and valuing them with significant support through monthly one-to-one sessions, staff wellbeing meetings and direct access to our on-site psychologist alongside other health specialist support. We offer a comprehensive six-week induction and shadowing process for all new staff as well as on-going excellent training and development opportunities. We have a refurbished house for those staff who live more than 45 mins away to use which reduces the need to travel between shifts, reduces travel time and saves fuel costs.
As the home is part of Devon County Council, you also benefit from our generous annual leave and other holiday entitlements, entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme, eligibility for enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and sick pay, excellent free training opportunities, incremental pay increased within your pay grade and future career opportunities within Atkinson or Devon County Council.
About You
Your personal qualities, values and life experience will help us create an environment for young people to feel safe and begin to trust adults through positive relationships. Through your daily interactions and consistent parenting, you will help young people to feel genuinely cared for. Sadly, many young people in our care have only experienced abusive relationships which explains their challenging and risky behaviours. You will help young people to feel a sense of belonging, safety and trust which in time improves their confidence, self-control and self-esteem. You will then support and prepare the young people to re-integrate into a community setting.
Do you have the below abilities and qualities?
- Able to engage and quickly build positive relationships with young people
- Ability to remain calm and show no fear in volatile situations
- Ability to intervene physically to prevent violence or self harm
- Not take behaviours directed towards you personally
- Confident in managing and taking direction during volatile incidents
- Able to implement boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour
- Ability to be part of a team
- Able to communicate when under pressure
- Act as a positive role model
- Able to adapt and respond quickly
- Empathy, Emotional Resilience & Self Awareness
- Able to work AM and PM shifts and every other weekend
This role is unique and can be challenging. It might not be for everyone, but if you’ve read the above and are still excited about this opportunity, it would be great to hear from you.
The interview day will start with a tour of the Home and its facilities and candidates are given an opportunity to ask further questions about the job. There will be several tests and an interview to ensure that we recruit the right applicants. If you are successful at interview stage, you will then be required to complete four shadow shifts, alongside our staff who will help, encourage and introduce you to the home and the young people.
Residential Support Worker – Fact Sheet May 2021
For an informal discussion please contact: Darren Beattie or Helen Bowkett on 01392 457999 or email atkinson@devon.gov.uk.
To view the job description and to apply CLICK HERE
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
This role requires the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
Personal data we collect from you will be processed in accordance with the Applicant privacy notice.
Happy to Talk Flexible Working.
Information about Working for Devon.
This role requires a DBS disclosure.
This role is subject to Disqualification from Caring for Children (England) Regulations 2002 check.
Reference ID: REQ000418
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
- Weekends
