About us
Founded in 2023, Kate Cares- Supported Accommodation is dedicated to supporting and promoting independence for children who are looked after or care leavers. We specialise in providing supported accommodation to care experienced children aged 16-18 of either sex.
We accommodate children under the following category
2. Supported accommodation in a shared or group living situation in premises used to accommodate only looked after children and care leavers. (Regulation 2(1), para (b)) Shared accommodation. children have their own bedroom, and may have their own bathroom, and share communal areas (e.g. living room/s, kitchen). Provision may include foyer-type accommodation that combines support with opportunities for education, training and employment. This provision may accommodate care leavers aged 18+.
Our primary focus is on enhancing the quality of life for our children, equipping them with positive life skills, and empowering them on their journey to adulthood. We believe in children having a really lovely home, of the same standard that we would want for our families. The priority will be safety both in the accommodation such as fire safety and food hygiene and in the support we offer. We will only employ professional support staff, who are genuine in their desire to help and protect our children and equip them for a bright future. Stringent safer recruitment and ongoing staff training will complement our quality and homely physical environment.
Together with the child and our partner agencies we will seek to ensure positive outcomes for children using our services. Positive outcomes are so important and generally a real area of concern for care leavers. We will employ effective planning, multi-agency communication and support so that children can reach for their goals and fulfil their ambitions. We will measure outcomes using our model of support and life skills curriculum.
We recognise our children have experienced trauma which can hinder their self confidence and self esteem, this may also impact on their ability to keep themselves safe and demonstrate prosocial behaviour, we will utilise a trauma- informed approach in our interactions seeking to collaborate with each child so we can be an ally and cheerleader for our children and break down barriers to their personal success while upholding their rights.
There is a strong focus on safeguarding and the mentors supporting our children will have regular training, testing and guidance regarding safeguarding matters such as dynamic risk assessment, reporting concerns, recognising abuse. The registered manager is a Level 5 Designated Safeguarding Lead. Mentors collaborate with each child on their safety plans, listen to each child’s views and record their comments and opinions within their plans to accurately reflect their input and wishes.
We work closely with community partners to ensure a holistic approach to safeguarding and helping children make safe decisions for themselves and those around them including local mental health projects and community hubs. We advocate for children’s rights and access to support services for their health, education and entitlements, including for transition into adulthood.
We take a positive psychology approach to our support, seeing the potential in our children and moving away from the labels and stereotypes of care experienced people. We want to break down barriers to success for children who leave care and foster their self-confidence and meaningful connections. We seek to empower children and help them feel genuine ownership of their home and community.
Our PERMA Support Model empowers children to take control of their quality of life and facilitates opportunities to thrive, our model considers five key areas as indicators for quality of life and a fulfilled life. Our mentors and leaders have a duty to incorporate each child’s views and wishes into their PERMA planning and to make it a joint project between the guiding supporting team and the child themselves.
Overview:
We are seeking skilled youth and support mentors with leadership experience to join our team. You will help keep children safe by building trust, giving advice and guidance, working with partners such as attending meetings with our children. Providing transportation to appointments, college or work and taking them on fun activities. This is a role where your personal qualities such as kindness, flexibility, empathy and trustworthiness are crucial. You can organise your own rota along with your children. This is a role akin to a foster carer but not in your own home. We want our children to feel they are wanted and belong in the Katecares family.
Responsibilities:
- Provide support and guidance to our children
- Supervise and support the staff team
- Support the service manager to maintain excellent standards of support
- Contribute to and implement children's individual placement plans, manage budgets, health and safety, cleanliness of the home, children's plans and outcomes
- Ensure our beautiful homes stay that way and children enjoy a personalised and happy home
- Ensure the Quality standards are upheld and that each child has a great quality of support from our service
- Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, collaboration, and employee development
- Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including strong consultation from children, professionals, relevant family members and other stakeholders
- Keep up to date with best practice for supported accommodation services and relevant research including your own continuous professional development
- Ensure personal compliance with legal and regulatory requirements including all OFSTED requirements and being the registered person
- Follow the company policies and procedures to ensure compliance and operational safety and stability of the service
Experience:
- Proven experience in a residential or a social work role with under 18's or deputy plus level work in adult residential services for young adults
- Experience and understanding of trauma informed practices
- Willingness to undertake the Level 5 Leadership and management qualification CYP
- Willingness to embed a support model based on positive psychology and a life skills curriculum
- Strong mentoring skills with the ability to inspire and motivate children
- Track record of children's support
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities with a strategic mindset
- Ability to make sound decisions under pressure
- Demonstrated success in children's outcomes for education/ employment/ positive relationships
We offer competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We are happy with hybrid working as long as all children and service needs are met
If you are a dynamic mentor with a passion for driving children's success, we invite you to apply for the position
Job Types: Full-time, Zero hours contract
Pay: £14.00-£16.00 per hour
Additional pay:
- Yearly bonus
Benefits:
- Bereavement leave
- Company events
- Company pension
- Discounted or free food
- Sick pay
- Work from home
Schedule:
- Flexitime
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
