Rainbow Community Services: Social Care Leader & Relief Social Care Workers

Social Care Leader and Relief Social Care Workers required

Rainbow Community Services is an independent organisation providing a range of services to young people aged 13-19. We have two units in operation; Smithstown Lodge (Julianstown, Co. Meath) and Ivy Mews 16+ (Drogheda, Co. Louth).

Smithstown Lodge is a mainstream residential home for adolescents, both male and female, aged 13-18 years of age whom for a variety of reasons have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Ivy Mews 16+ is a residential project which aims to enable young people aged 16-19 to develop the skills and resilience they require to assist them in becoming successful tenants on leaving the care system.

Rainbow Community Services are currently seeking to recruit a Social Care Leader for Ivy Mews 16+

Requirements for this position:

• Level 7 qualification in Social Care/Applied Social Studies or suitable equivalent
• Minimum 1 year experience working as a Leader in a social care setting
• A full clean driving licence
• Experience working as a Leader in a children’s residential centre is highly desirable

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• To assist the manager in creating and maintaining a caring safe, stable and professional environment for both the young people to live in and the staff to work in.
• To assist the manager in overseeing the running of the centre in accordance with the National Standards for Residential Centres and relevant legislation.
• To take a strong role in liaising with professionals regarding care plans, monitoring and inspection, future development of the centre, etc.
• To be fully aware of the unit, its purpose and function, care practises, policies and procedures, health and safety and to assist in overseeing their active implementation and regular revision.
• To participate in regular supervision with the manager allowing for support, personal and professional development.
• To co-operate with any additional duties should an emergency arise.
• To be flexible to the needs of the centre at difficult times.
• To work full-time on a set out rota system including nights and weekends.
• To ensure that the welfare of the young person is at the forefront of every decision made.
• To communicate effectively with all staff on shift, at team meetings and daily handover being open to reflective practice and constructive feedback in order to ensure best practice.
• Providing a high standard of care to young people in an open, trusting and supportive environment.
• Motivating young people and promoting their interdependence, personal reflection and responsibility.
• Promoting the individual growth of young people through learning and positive life experiences.
• Taking young people to appointments, recreational activities, family access, etc.
• Liaising with other professionals and service providers in the community.
• Maintaining confidential data, carrying out report writing and managing paperwork as required.
• Ability to identify potential problems and to take appropriate action or find creative solutions.
• To engage positively with all the staff and young people seeking to achieve a positive resolution in an often challenging and learning-based environment.

Rainbow Community Services are also currently seeking to recruit Relief Social Care Workers for Ivy Mews 16+ and Smithstown Lodge.

Requirements for this position:

• Level 7 qualification in Social Care/Applied Social Studies or suitable equivalent
• A full clean driving licence
• Experience working in a children’s residential centre is highly desirable

Duties and Responsibilities include:

• Providing a high standard of care to young people in an open, trusting and supportive environment.
• Motivating young people and promoting their interdependence, personal reflection and responsibility.
• Promoting the individual growth of young people through learning and positive life experiences.
• Taking young people to appointments, recreational activities, family access, etc.
• Liaising with other professionals and service providers in the community.
• Maintaining confidential data, carrying out report writing and managing paperwork as required.
• Ability to identify potential problems and to take appropriate action or find creative solutions.
• Flexible shift-work hours, including days, overnights and live nights (where required).
• To engage positively with all the staff and young people seeking to achieve a positive resolution in an often challenging and learning-based environment.

To apply for either of these roles please submit an updated Curriculum Vitae along with a covering letter outlining your suitability to

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