Salary: £19,430 - £26,822 per annum plus Weekend Working allowance Permanent, Full Time 37 Hours per week, working on a rota pattern. Based in Beechfield Secure Unit, Copthorne, West Sussex Interview date: To be confirmed

Please note that this position is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Please note that all care staff must be at least 21 years old. No person can work in a children’s home unless they are at least 3 years older than the oldest child accommodated.

Beechfield has recently undergone a significant refurbishment throughout and minor extension to the home. Although we are a secure children’s home we have strived to create as homely an environment as possible in order to enable the young people that are accommodated by us, to feel cared for and supported, in order to maximise their potential whilst placed with us. Beechfield provides secure (section 25 of the Children’s Act) placements for up to 7 young people. The age range is 13 to 16 years on admission and we are a mixed children’s home. We work hard to create an environment in which young people who have suffered abuse and neglect can feel safe, and can learn to look forward with renewed trust. We work as a Multi-Disciplinary Team which ensures Health, Education and Social Care all work together to support and care for the young people. We make sure that our residents return to the community more adequately equipped to manage the behaviour that led to their admission, thus enabling a successful re-integration into society. We are now looking for the right staff to join our existing care staff team. This is a challenging role, and does require the ability to work directly with young people, establishing a positive relationship with them in order to enable them to meet targets and desired outcomes to no longer be subject to a Secure Order.

Role details: - Maintain a nurturing, positive and safe living environment within the unit. - Participate in the development of care plans for individual Children and Young People. - Carry out regular observations and assessments of the Children and Young People. - Work on a rota basis and undertake weekend working and sleeping in duties as required. - Periodic requirement for lifting and carrying, pushing or pulling items of moderate weight. - Use initiative to independently respond to unexpected problems or situations.

Ideally applicants will have: Experience of working with children or have worked in the care sector. - Excellent people skills - The ability to develop and maintain good working relationships - Demonstrated positive personal authority - Great communication skills  - A willingness to undertake additional Qualifications (Level 3 Diploma CYPW) and further training provided. For the higher salary you will already have achieved this qualification. We have a fantastic support structure in place and ensure regular supervision, appraisal and the opportunity for professional career development and progression.  Visits to Beechfield Secure Unit are warmly welcomed. If you would like to arrange a visit or find out more about this exciting role then please call Lance Miles. In order to apply please click the ‘apply for job’ button below .

Where you are submitting a CV as your application, the following information is mandatory: All employment and precise dates must be included. (Any gaps must be explained if you are selected for interview).

For posts working with Children, the name and contact information for referees must cover a period of at least 5 years and include your current and most recent employer.