About Us
Blue Cove is a 3-bed home and welcomes children between the ages of 12 up to 18 years at the time of referral. We are a short-term emergency assessment home that provides support to children at times of crisis or significant periods of change in their lives. The children experience 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.
About the Role
Salary: £28,598 – £30,023 per annum (includes weekend working allowance) plus excellent pension, annual leave and additional benefits
Working Pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Location: Worthing
Shifts and Rotas: for day work, you will be required to work on a shift rota between 07:00 – 22:00, including every other weekend and at the moment approximately one sleep‑in duty per week with enhanced pay. This can be discussed with candidates in more detail at interview.
As a Residential Childcare Worker at Blue Cove, you will provide a safe, nurturing environment where young people feel valued and supported through times of crisis or change. You will build trusting relationships with young people, acting as a positive role‑model and have experience deescalating conflict or supporting complex behavioural difficulties. You will encourage activities that strengthen their confidence, resilience, and independence. Each day is different supporting the child’s individual plan such as a range of tailored activities or learning, meal times, family contact and celebrating achievements.
Communication and organisation are key parts of the role, as you will work closely with colleagues to provide consistent care, keep accurate records, and liaise with families, social workers and other professionals. We are seeking someone who is robust, organised, and committed to delivering high standards of care to those who have experienced a period of crisis or childhood trauma, with a focus on helping our young people achieve their best.
Experience and Skills
Some of the key skills and experience required for the role are:
- 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.
- Sound communication and interpersonal skills to a range of children and families.
- Ability to promote and encourage a multi‑agency approach to support the child.
- Ability to use initiative to resolve problems within given parameters.
- Ability to work under pressure and prioritise work.
- Ability to work as part of a team around a child.
- Good standard of literacy e.g. ability to write reports around individuals.
- Knowledge of how to support children who have experienced trauma, harm or abuse – Desirable
For the full list of experience, qualifications and key skills required for the role please review the job description attached.
Rewards and Benefits
For example you will receive:
- an excellent local government pension scheme
- generous holiday entitlement
- access to a wide selection of retail discounts and savings such as groceries, shopping, travel and more through our West Sussex Choices benefits platform.
- a range of commuting and business travel discount and initiatives
- maternity, paternity, dependency and adoption leave
- health and wellbeing benefits including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- financial wellbeing support including access to educational tools and webinars, loans or debt consolidation options and savings scheme
- training and development opportunities, including coaching and mentoring
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 CAFHE05449.
This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, 5 years referencing and an occupational health check. A full 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.
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