hertsdirect.org What does a child care worker working with children looked after do?

What does a child care worker working with children looked after do?

Child care workers work with either children and young people who may have experienced trauma in their lives or children and young people with disabilities.

Young people in residential care need to live in an environment that is as similar to an everyday home as possible. They need to be looked after 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as every child does. The child care worker helps them reach their full potential and develop socially, educationally and emotionally.

What are the hours and what will I get paid?

Child care workers work shift and sleep over rotas to ensure appropriate support is available when residents are at home. The shift pattern is usually 7.am to 3.pm and 2pm to 11pm. Weekend and bank holiday work is also required - usually this means working alternate weekends.

Waking night child care workers usually work from 10pm to 7am.

The salary for child care workers (from April 2005) is £15,372 to £21,024 dependent on grade and location, salaries pro rata for part time workers. Additional payments are made for weekend, bank holiday and sleep-overs.

Will I need any qualifications or experience?

There are no specific minimum entry requirements. An ability to act as a role model, provide personal care as required, and help children and young people understand and make sense of their past experiences are considered more important than qualifications.

What training do I get?

All new child care workers undertake a 10-day induction course, which includes moving and handling, food hygiene, first aid, and medication administration. Further training is available to support your development and you will be encouraged to complete an NVQ level 3 in child-care.