DEPUTY OFFICER IN CHARGE

Ty Storrie is a Children’s Home in Ely, Cardiff where disabled young people between the ages of 6 and 17 stay for a short time and provides much needed respite to the young people and their families; stays are usually overnight, and outside of school hours and during school holidays. Currently up to four young people can stay at one time.

The young people will have a social worker and due to their very complex needs are some of the most vulnerable in Cardiff. The young people have a range of additional needs and the staff in Ty Storrie value everyone as a unique individual, celebrating and valuing diversity.

The staff are keen to ensure that young people who stay feel at home and safe with many opportunities for both fun and learning.

The role of Residential Childcare Workers includes managing behaviour that may be a challenge, and providing personal care, which enables the children to maintain and improve their skills and daily lives in line with their personal plans.

There are many challenges, but staff support each other to overcome these and work closely with many other professionals to ensure that each young person has the appropriate care and support to achieve their goals.

Cardiff Children’s Services has adopted the Signs of Safety Framework; a strength based, solution-focussed model, which staff in Ty Storrie are embracing and embedding into their everyday practice. There is a strong emphasis on training and development with opportunities for all new starters to complete the All Wales Induction Framework, register with Social Care Wales and become qualified, as well as receiving regular supervision and an annual appraisal. Children’s Services offers other opportunities to undertake training that supports professional development, relevant to the role.

All staff and young people in Ty Storrie are supported in a variety of ways to keep safe and well during the current pandemic and follow relevant Welsh Government guidance at all times. Staff are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, receive regular testing and have access to COVID vaccinations. The council also offer a range of online well-being services that all staff are able to access.

Ty Storrie have a number of vacancies and are looking to recruit people who are:

Committed to working with young people who have additional complex needs, and want to encourage and help them to reach their goals.

Able to provide a nurturing, positive and safe environment for the young people, ensuring statutory obligations are met to a high standard.

Enthusiastic team players, who have a positive attitude, a willingness to get ‘stuck in’, bring fun ideas and activities to help form relationships and communicate, and the determination to make the home a success.

Kind and caring, honest and reliable, and can be good advocates and role models for the young people.

Patient, understanding and empathetic to our children, as well as supportive and helpful to team members and colleagues.

Resilient and will try again when there are setbacks

Able to adapt your approach depending on the situation, reflect and learn for the next time.

You will be responsible for safeguarding young people and put their safety and wellbeing first. You will need to find the balance between being warm, friendly and supportive, while also being professional and acting as a good parent to provide boundaries and put young people’s best interests first.

This is an exciting time to join a service which puts the individual at the heart of our work. The team works from a strengths-based (Signs of Safety) approach to meet the needs of children and their families.

The successful candidate will assist in the management and administration of ensuring the home meets all regulatory standards and provides and excellent quality of care to the children and young people who attend for overnight stays.

You will have proven experience of working with young people in a residential childcare setting, and ideally you will have experience of caring for disabled children and young people and undertaking personal care. You will also have a relevant qualification that meets the equivalent criteria for Social Care Wales registration in addition to a Level 3 Diploma in Health & Social Care (Children and Young People). Excellent communication and organisation skills are required for this role.

For further information or informal conversation about this opportunity please contact Nina Tonge, Registered Manager on telephone number 02920 838630.

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced checks.

Safeguarding and Child Protection are key priorities for the Council. We aim to support children and vulnerable adults to ensure they are as safe as they can possibly be. Our services and schools are committed to ensuring the safety and protection of all children and vulnerable adults, and will take action to safeguard their well-being, and acknowledge that children and vulnerable adults have a right to protection. This is supported in the general ethos of the Council and all schools.

This post is suitable for post share.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications received in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications

Due to the current COVID -19 circumstances the interview process for this role will be held on a virtual basis using an appropriate online platform. If you have any concerns around your ability to participate in a virtual interview process please contactLaura.white3@cardiff.gov.ukfor a discussion.