If you are looking for a fulfilling and rewarding career where no two days are the same, this could be the job for you!

You will have the opportunity to support children and young people, aged 12 - 17 years old, who from adversity are developing their resilience, to develop key life skills, build trusting relationships, create environments where they can flourish and experience success, while participating in fun activities with them.

The only thing you need is a passion for making a difference. We don't require previous care experience as we provide all the training and support you need to excel in your role, even professional care qualifications, through our St Christopher's Academy Entry Pathway.

Watch our short video to gain an insight into our working life here at St Christopher’s

Entry Pathway - St Christopher’s Academy

Starting your career in children's social care means there is a lot to learn so we will provide a 4 weeks full induction and training period to ensure you are properly supported.

If you want to know more about our Entry Pathway and St Christopher's Academy, please click here

Working Hours

Our children and young people need care 24/7 so we have fixed rotas with different shifts (8, 10 and 12 hours) from 8 am to 10 pm for day staff; and from 9 pm to 8.30 am for night staff.

On average, you will be working 40 hours a week, so meaning if you work 4 shifts of 10 hours each, you will then get 3 days off.

For Ealing location, you will be required to do an average of 2 sleep-ins per week paid at £50 each.

There is always the possibility to do overtime if you need a bit extra, this is paid time and half same as bank holidays.

We are offering different options for this role:

• 20/23 hours per week (including weekends and bank holidays)
• 40 hours per week (including weekends and bank holidays)

Location

Our locations cover: Ealing (W13).

When completing the application form, you will have to select the location you are applying for.

What you need to bring to this role

• resilience to cope with challenging behaviour and circumstances.
• ability to build genuine and trusting relationships with young people.
• ability to work as part of a team.
• empathy but also ability to understand the importance of professional boundaries.
• flexibility to undertake shift work including weekends, bank holidays and with notice, occasional sleep-ins.

What you should expect from us

• Salary of £24,960 rising to £25,738 upon successful completion of mandatory training.
• 4 weeks full induction and training program (paid).
• Competitive pay and reward structure offering salary progression based on performance.
• Tailored career development plan through our “St Christopher’s Academy”.
• A friendly working environment, a fun, open and honest culture.
• 25 days holiday rising to 27 days after 3 years’ service, plus Bank Holidays, pro-rata.
• Industry leading training programme including access to level 3 qualifications, children’s right and participation, CSE, empowerment, mental health and social pedagogy.
• Contributory pension scheme, enhanced maternity and company sick scheme.
• UK Life Assurance (Death in service) to the value of 3 times your annual salary.
• BUPA employee assistance programme, offering counselling, financial advice and legal support.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Bluelight card; discount shopping scheme at hundreds of retailers across the UK.
• Discretionary funded training programs.
• Employee awards based on performance and length of service.
• Fantastic opportunities to develop your career within our range of services.

About Us

Our vision is for every child and young person to be safe, loved and happy, to achieve their potential and have a bright future.

St Christopher's is a leading charity for children and young people. We are proud of our history of providing fostering, children's homes and innovative leaving care services across the UK & Isle of Man.  We have a passionate commitment to our young people, placing them at the centre of everything we do.  We provide positive life experiences for young people who are unable to sustain a placement in their parental or foster home.

We are an equal-opportunity employer keen to develop an inclusive workforce where people feel they belong.  We hope to attract applications from under- represented groups, including people from different cultures, nationalities, socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, disabilities, religions, faith, sex, orientation, childcare responsibilities, and gender-diverse identities.

Recruitment Process

At St Christopher’s we are committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people in our care. During the recruitment process you will be expected to complete an online application form to ensure we capture essential information to meet legislation, best practice and vetting requirements.

In order for your application to be reviewed, it must include a supporting statement addressing the criteria stated in the Person Specification. Please note CV's will not be accepted

Job Description and Person Specification

Once application has been submitted, candidates will require to complete an online situational test which will inform the shortlisting process. Unsuccessful candidates will be communicated the outcome via email.

First Stage Interview – 7^th, 9^th , 16^th, 21^st, 24^th, 29^th, 30^th January 2025.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an individual interview. The interview will be face to face at our offices in Putney, SW London.

Second Stage

Successful candidates will then attend the second stage at their preferred location.

Our Children and Young People are looking forward to hearing from you

For more information or assistance during the application process, please contact recruitment@stchris.org.uk

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We advise you to apply as soon as possible as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Please note this post has a minimum age restriction of 21 for roles working directly with children and young people in our residential and semi-independent Homes in line with the Equality Act ‘occupational requirement’.