Advanced Skills Worker

Advanced Skills Worker

Permanent, Full Time

£31,525 to £36,041 per annum (includes allowances)

Location: Harlow

Working Style: Fixed-base worker

Closing Date: 31st January 2024

Are you interested in working with children and young people to make a difference in their lives? If so, then this could be the right opportunity for you.

It is an exciting time to join Essex County Council as we invest in and expand our overnight short breaks residential provision. The Maples is a purpose built home providing overnight short breaks for up to 8 young people with disabilities, enabling them to spend time with other young people and try new experiences whilst supporting their parents to continue in their caring role.

As an ASW you will be part of the management team, responsible for the effective day to day running of the home and creating a caring, safe, and secure environment. Working 37 hours over a mixture of early (6.45am – 2.30pm) and late shifts (1.45pm – 9.30pm) you will line manage a team of staff, providing guidance and regular supervision to enable them to support children/young people to meet agreed outcomes and achieve their full potential.

It is important to be open minded and have a flexible and adaptable attitude, and be able to manage challenges with a calm and patient demeanour. You will have an ability/willingness to understand and manage challenging behaviour including aggression and violence using a range of de-escalation techniques. You will also need to have effective written and verbal communication.

Previous experience in a Children’s Home or transferrable line management experience is essential and if you don’t already have a Level 3 Diploma you will need to complete this within 2 years of starting employment. We will provide you with all the training you need for the role along with good quality, regular supervision. This, together with the right attitude and access to a full in-house induction, will enable you to start your career with Essex County Council with confidence.

If shortlisted you will have an initial interview to explore the detail you provide in your application and give you an opportunity to discuss the role and ask any questions. This can be virtual or in person. If you are successful at this initial interview you will be invited to a 2nd interview at the home, where you will meet some of the team, answer a written question and some further set interview questions.

Due to nature of this role any applicants need to be at least 21 years old in order to undertake this post.

If you would like to know more about this role, please contact Osa Igbinovia Osagioduwa.Igbinovia@essex.gov.uk or Clare Howard - Deputy Home Manager Clare.Howard@essex.gov.uk to arrange an informal chat.

To read more about us please visit: Children & Families

Why Essex? Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11 corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton. England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us here.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process.

We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

What you should do next

If you are interested in finding out more about this role, we would love to hear from you. Please apply via the Working for Essex website.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email Christine.simmons@essex.gov.uk