My Life Semi-Independent Project recognises the obstacles and challenges that face Young People as they prepare to leave Local Authority care and make the transition into independence and adulthood. We believe that by providing Young People with positive role models and empathetic, dedicated experienced Mentors, we can equip them with the independent living skills required to thrive in the wider community.

We require an experienced Manager that has an understanding of working with Children and Adolescents as well as having great leadership and management skills to support and work with a small thriving staff team.

Our Home is staffed 24/7 whereby our Mentors generally work within a lone working environment. We require a self-motivated and driven individual to work alongside our Mentors and to take on this new exciting management position.

The Manager is accountable for ensuring that we deliver high quality care to the young people within our Semi – Independent Home. This means that they are responsible for delivery of all care services for 16 and 17 year olds as well as providing strategic planning for developments within the home, and all day to day management matters. They will demonstrate the ability to build on the well-established principles and practice standards existing within My Life Project.

The ultimate aim of the Manager is to ensure that each young person placed within the home is fully prepared for life outside the care system. Consequently, they are expected to demonstrate practical leadership in childcare, as well as organise and support staff to provide the best possible training for each young person. This involves being personally available, as well as the supervision and mentoring of staff, organisation of work patterns, and facilitation of care focussed training, and accessing of appropriate services to support the childcare practices within the home.

As this is a vital role in the lives of young people cared for at My Life Project, it requires an active and long term commitment. The Project Manager and Service Manager work closely with each Manager, assisting them to provide high quality care.

While the Manager is employed for 37.5 hours per week (Monday – Friday) they are expected to arrange their own work rota which may involve evening, weekend and sleeping-in duties, if necessary. The Manager is wholly responsible for ensuring an appropriate staff presence to meet the needs of the young people in the home.

Key Responsibilities:

Care for Young People

Enrich the lives of young people in our care, helping them create a positive future.
Measuring and Evaluating Outcomes

Outcomes and targets should be grouped under the Every Child Matters headings:

Be healthy
Stay Safe
Enjoy and achieve
Make a positive contribution
Achieve economic well-being


Childcare

Ensure that any matters relating to child protection are managed in line with current legislation, national standards and best safeguarding practice.
Maintain the highest possible standards of childcare and ensure that each young person’s agreed placement plan is fully implemented.
Co-ordinate and access the appropriate services (health, education, therapy) to ensure the needs of each young person are met.
To carry out and conduct Mentoring Sessions with Young People where necessary.

Leadership

Provide leadership and coaching in childcare practice within the home to ensure best outcomes for young people.
Mentor and support the Mentors in provision of best possible childcare practices.
Mentor and support the staff team in developing the young people’s independent living skills.
Ensure that all of My Life Project company policies and procedures are implemented appropriately.

Home Management

To achieve the best outcomes for all young people, ensure that the home is managed effectively and efficiently.
Ensure the Mentors are focussed on providing the best possible outcomes for the young people.
Make sure that best practice is maintained within the home.
Sustain and develop the administration systems, recording systems, and repair work, so that a warm and caring home environment is maintained.
Manage the home within the agreed budget, taking full responsibility for all incidental costs as well as direct costs such as repairs to the property and appliances, new fridges, staff costs, heating, agency costs etc.
Effectively manage the homes devolved budget and ensure full financial reports are updated.
To attend any conduct weekly residents meetings with our young people.

Team Management

Supervise and support the staff group ensuring that the team are developed appropriately to meet the specific needs of the young people in the home.
Develop individual staff training programmes in line with company plans and needs and supervise/provide observations for staff through their NVQ Level 3 Award (Health and Social Care - Children and Young People).
Complete Monthly supervisions with staff team.
To carry out and hold monthly Team Meetings.
Complete probationary and annual performance appraisals for all staff to ensure that they are able to continue to provide appropriate levels of childcare.
Rota Management
Undertake any other duties that may be required.

Health & Safety

To implement the Health & Safety policies and ensure that all staff are aware of all Health & Safety procedures.
To undertake risk assessments as appropriate.
Managing Risk and Young People with Different Needs.
Ensure that all incidents/accidents are recorded and reported according to procedures.
To ensure that the cleanliness and hygiene of the Home are maintained to an exceptional standard.
To undertake fire drills and tests in accordance with procedure and record the necessary data.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL

Work Experience

· At least 1 year experience of leadership and management within the child care sector.

· Experience of with children and Adolescents.

Qualifications

· To have a NVQ Level 3 award in Health & Social Care (Working with Children and Young people.

Personal attributes and child centred approach

· Positive leadership skills

· Can work within a team.

· Self-motivated and a positive nature.

· Coaching skills.

· Motivate others.

· Ability to engage with young people in a positive and proactive approach.

· Sense of humour.

· Self-organisation.

· Sensitive and reflective.

· Honesty and reliability.

· Ability to listen and empathise.

· Ability to assess risks.


Job related knowledge and skills

Knowledge of:

· National Minimum Standards

· Children and Young Peoples Act 2008.

· The Children Act 1989 & 2004.

· Children’s Rights Every Child Matters.

· Ability to assess risks

Experience with staff supervisions
Can implement new systems and strategies around the needs of young people
· Effective communication skills: recording and report writing and verbal communication.

· Awareness of non-verbal communication i.e. eye contact and personal space etc

· A professional and caring value base i.e. consistency and empathy

Training

· Training offered

Work Conditions

· Ability to Lone Work with individual young people

· Commit to shifts if necessary

· To join out of hours system and carry out any on call duties

· Sleeping in duties if required

· Willing to work additional hours to cover sickness and holidays and to work in other homes within your area

· Willing to work Bank Holidays & Christmas Holidays

· Have good medical health


Salary: £26,000.00- £30,000.00 per year