Part Time Children's Support Worker

About Arborvitae Care Services (ACS):
At ACS, we’re committed to transforming the lives of vulnerable young people by offering consistent, compassionate, and expert care. As a growing, mission-driven organisation, we believe every child matters — and we strive to create environments where young people feel safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Job Purpose

To provide advice, assistance and support to young people in our care, attending to their practical, physical and emotional needs. Ensuring the young person is always appropriately safe guarded, driving our ethos of ‘every child matter’s.

Key Responsibilities:

Support to Young People:

· To maintain a high quality of care and support which meets the practical, physical, emotional and behavioural needs of the young person within our care

· To provide a caring, supportive and nurturing environment in which the young person can feel secure and free from harm

· Establishing positive, trusted and secure relationships with the young person ensuring professional boundaries

· Be a positive role model to the young person, rewarding positive conduct

· Contribute to the young person’s care plan

· Attending to practical matters in relation to childcare and the family environment (cooking, cleaning, general maintenance around the home etc)

· Providing emotional support at times of difficulty or stress

· Advocate the importance of education and ambition with the young person, supporting them in their education and extracurricular activities, including supporting them in the classroom if necessary

· Support the smooth running of the home.

· Keeping accurate written records on young people which feed into planning meetings, reviews or any other meetings as appropriate

· Empowering the young person and facilitating their active involvement in the decision making about their lives and future, sensitively supporting them where it may not be possible to act on their wishes

· Supporting the young person in meetings with relevant professionals including social workers, CAMHS and LAC nurses

Support to Team:

· To work as part of the home and wider Arborvitae team

· Being aware of the aims and outcomes of the home and working collaboratively with team members to achieve them

· Attending staff meetings and making a positive contribution to them

· Work with team members to consistently execute the young person’s childcare plans.

· Attending and contributing to regular supervision sessions

· Being familiar with all policies and procedures and adhering to them

· Promote positive challenges within the team

· Any other responsibilities as so reasonably directed by the management team.

Person Specification:

· Strong communicator (E)

· Driving Licence (E)

· Sensitivity and understanding (E)

· Ability to work well with others (E)

· Maintain confidentiality (E)

· Patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations (E)

· Active listening skills (E)

· Ability to positively challenge behaviour from a young person (E)

· Level 4 Diploma in Children’s Residential Care or willing to work towards (E)

· Suitable enhanced DBS on the update service (E)

· Resilience (E)

· Experience of working with children (D)

· Experience of working within a children’s residential setting (D)

· Honesty & integrity (D)

· Awareness of legislation within the regulations (D)

· Ability to install professional boundaries (E)

· Empathetic & non-judgemental (E)

Shift Schedule:

• Day Shift: 7:00am to 3:00pm
• Late Shift: 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Work Location:
The location/work-base for this role may require you work to from multiple locations. We will discuss this with you during the recruitment process.

Commitment to Safeguarding:
At ACS, safeguarding is our top priority. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children and young people, and all appointments are subject to DBS checks, satisfactory references and proof of right to work in the UK.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £12.25 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Company events
• Company pension
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Children's Residential: 1 year (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• UK Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person