Senior Residential Practitioner - Req23876

Are you resilient and empathetic, with the ability to inspire positive change in vulnerable young people who can be hard to engage?

Do you have a good understanding of child and adolescent development, a restorative approach and relevant experience?

If the answer’s yes, the role of Senior Practitioner at Adel Beck Secure Children’s Home could be right for you.
At Adel Beck we care for 24 young people aged 10 to 18. They are referred to us following court proceedings, placed on remand or sentenced to a period of detention, or because they need to be placed in secure accommodation for their own safety or the safety of others. You will lead a team of care practitioners who have a vital role in the daily lives and long-term outlook for the vulnerable young people at Adel Beck, who may have complex needs and display challenging behaviours.
Our goal is to inspire change in attitudes, behaviours, learning and emotions. We want to enable every young person to grow up and make a positive contribution as part of their family and wider community, safe from risk-taking behaviour, exploitation and offending.
We are committed to the ambition of Child Friendly Leeds. We want Leeds to be a city where all children are safe, happy and healthy, do well at school, fulfil their potential and grow up to be active citizens with voice and influence. 
The role
As a Senior Practitioner, you will be the lead practitioner for the staff team at Adel Beck. You will play an active role in the daily lives of our young people, using a restorative approach to support them in their personal growth and learning.
You will:

• provide leadership, supervision and support to the care team
• work alongside the Team Manager to deliver high-quality care in a safe, secure environment
• manage staff following policy and procedure, and support with recruitment and staff development
• ensure key working and case management protects young people, minimises risk and promotes positive outcomes
• manage behaviour in a proactive, solution-focused manner and develop long-term strategies
• provide primary care responsive to individual needs, including health care, learning support and personal development
• coordinate activities to enhance young people’s experiences day to day and for special occasions

About you
We are looking for experienced, enthusiastic, adaptable candidates with the personal qualities to connect with and inspire vulnerable children and young people. You must have:

• the confidence to lead your team and liaise with other professionals and all stakeholders
• excellent communication and listening skills
• self-awareness to understand your potential impact on others, with ability to reflect on your own practice
• flexibility to work shifts including weekends, bank holidays and nights

We expect the following experience and qualifications:

• good verbal and written English, numeracy and basic computer literacy
• Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (or equivalent), or commitment to achieving the qualification within a reasonable period (we pay the course fees)
• understanding of child and adolescent development
• understanding of restorative and trauma-informed practice
• knowledge of relevant legislation, policies and child protection and safeguarding principles
• experience working in a residential childcare environment and of supporting children or young people with complex and challenging behaviour
• experience supervising staff and managing their development and training

What we offer you
You’ll be part of a supportive team which has your wellbeing and professional development at heart. There’s no greater job satisfaction than seeing the difference you make every day to the lives of children and young people. We offer:

• a competitive salary plus enhancements for sleep-in duties and working weekends
• generous annual leave entitlement plus bank holiday allowance
• funding for you to study for relevant qualifications 
• ongoing training opportunities for you to build the skills you need to do your best for the young people in your care
• a clear career path for the right candidates through the team structure, with potential for progression into management roles
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund

How to apply
Before applying please read the job description and employee specification carefully. To apply you should submit: 
an up-to-date CV (maximum 4 pages) covering your full career history
a supporting statement (maximum 1 page) explaining your suitability for the role
Your supporting statement must demonstrate that your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements in the job description and employee specification. Think about your transferable skills, competencies and attributes and explain how these qualify you for the position. 
To arrange an informal chat about the role please call our main reception on 0133 378 30701 or email AdelBeckAdmin@leeds.gov.uk. 

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
 
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader. 
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
 

Job description

Special conditions 

This post is subject to a higher level check with the Disclosure & Barring Service. Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

Job purpose 

Adel Beck:

All staff are required to support the Home’s main purpose of encouraging and enabling children and young people to develop attitudinally, behaviourally, educationally and emotionally in order that they may deliver positive contributions to their families, society and their local communities whilst reducing offending, resulting in the decrease in victims of youth crime. To create and maintain a customer focused attitude and approach at all times that promotes positive relationships and generates a culture of openness and trust. To deliver efficient, effective and quality services by way of flexible working. To work together with colleagues from all other service areas within the home to provide and maintain a safe and secure living and learning environment that promotes the safety and welfare of children and young people in which they can prosper, develop and achieve. To foster, maintain and support pro-social behaviour, a restorative and solution focussed approach with, children, young people and colleagues. 

Role: 

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Team Manager support the provision of a safe and secure care service for children and young people that meets with Childrens Homes Regulations, Children’s Homes National Minimum Standards, Youth Justice Standards and Leeds City Council and the homes policies, procedures and guidance. Take an active role in the lives of young people, supporting staff in assessing their needs and encouraging attitudinal change through proactive and positive interaction maintaining a pro-social behaviour, restorative and solution focussed approach. 

Responsibilities 

• Support the Team Manager in the delivery of a high-quality primary care service including risk assessment, risk management, Care and Interventions programmes that meet the emotional and developmental needs of children and young people.
• Support the Team Manager in organising and deploying staff ensuring work patterns are rotas are maintained providing cover at all times to meet service needs. 
• Actively participate in the planning, development and delivery of opportunities for the enrichment, recreational and/or vocational development of young people.
• Develop and sustain a constructive and proactive role in addressing the challenging behavioural needs presented by children and young people. 
• Support the Team Manager in ensuring the key working and case management of children and young people addresses risk factors, enhances protective factors and promotes positive options and outcomes.
• Participate in the admission process, through care and transition of children and young people to their next placement or return to the community.
• Follow Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. 
• Responsibility for one of the following: Environment (including unit funds), Enrichment, Health or Safety and Security.     
• Responsibility for leading shifts which includes planning, sharing tasks equally between colleagues, ensuring procedures are followed and records maintained. 
• To participate in the recruitment, selection, induction, supervision, appraisal, training, development and support processes for staff. Ensure HR policies and procedures relating to managing staff are followed. 
• To physically restrain and control in line with approved restraint techniques, guidelines and procedure (training will be provided).
• Develop self to enhance performance and practice through reflection and learning, share knowledge, best practice, promote ideas for innovation and improvement and use information to take effective decisions.
• Develop and sustain effective working and information sharing protocols with colleagues and external partner agencies to ensure an integrated service is delivered and maintained.
• Ensure prior to using any equipment or undertaking an activity a risk assessment is in place and a safety data sheet available if required.
• In line with the Medication Policy and Procedure administer and record prescribed and other medication and supervise Care and Assistant Care Officers in this activity.
• Assist and support the delivery of care services using current software programmes and packages.
• Provide reports, maintain records and attend meetings and reviews as required.
• To undertake any other duties that, are commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
• To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council policies, procedures, and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
• To actively promote and support Leeds City Council's and Departmental Policies on Equal Opportunities and to work in an anti-oppressive manner.

Qualifications

• NVQ/QCF, Health & Social Care (Children & Young People) Level 3 or work towards and achieve within 6 months of appointment.
• Work towards QCF Assessors award

Essential requirements 

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to pass information effectively, accurately and concisely between service users, carers, colleagues and other agencies both verbally and in writing
• To have a high level of self-awareness in order to understand your potential impact on young people and colleagues and be able to reflect on your own practice
• Able to use IT equipment and software and be familiar in how to use and store data. (i.e. MS Word, email and internet)
• Able to actively engage with individual and groups of children & young people in order to effectively manage the complex needs and challenging behaviour  
• Able to take a lead role, contribute to and work effectively in a team 
• Able to manage, plan, deploy staff, follow procedure and maintain records
• Following training, to be able to manage actual and potential aggression using de-escalation techniques or where appropriate physical intervention and restraint techniques
• Able to act as Key Worker and Case Manager, make assessments, formulate and facilitate care plans and present observations and reports on young people
• Able to participate in and take a lead in the planning, implementation and evaluation of group work programmes  
• Able to undertake administrative tasks to timescale, including recording of events and report writing
• Able to provide and participate in activities and enrichment opportunities for young people           
• Able to work effectively with parents and people from other agencies
• Experience of working with young people with complex behavioural needs
• Experience of Engaging young people in enrichment activities                  
• Experience of Supervision of staff 
• Experience of high standards of child centred care
• Experience of personal and team development and training

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics

• Awareness of and an ability to respect the sensitive and confidential nature of the service the Home provides
• Conscientious and committed approach towards completing tasks accurately and to timescales to achieve the Home’s objectives
• Commitment to own personal development and learning to ensure up to date knowledge and skills
• To be able to communicate effectively with staff, children, young people and professionals at all levels on a local, regional and national basis.
• A flexible approach to working hours.
• It is a statutory requirement that post holders within a children’s residential home is 4 years older than the oldest child/young person. Therefore as Leeds City Councils Children’s residential homes are registered to take children/young people up to the age of 18 it is an essential requirement that anyone applying for this post must be 22 years of age or over.
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities. 
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. 
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council. 
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements 

It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates. 

• Ability to conduct and chair meetings and reviews,
• Driving Licence,
• Work towards QCF Assessors award,
• Knowledge of current policies in relation to children,
• Knowledge of current policies in relation to Youth Justice,
• Knowledge of the Principles of group work,
• Knowledge of the Principles of human needs and social learning theories,
• Experience Of working in a residential care home setting or working in the Youth Justice System,
• Experience of Shift work,
• Recruitment and Selection knowledge and experience,
• Contribution in developing policy and procedure.

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