Senior Practitioner

Who are we?

Kibble is Scotland’s specialist provider of services for at risk children and young people. By providing a range of integrated services, we help build positive futures for children and young people aged 5 plus, with complex social, emotional and educational needs.

Job Purpose

To assist the House Management Team with the effective and efficient management of the service. To work within and ensure the successful delivery of the main duties and responsibilities of the role of Senior Practitioner.

About our services

Kibble supports vulnerable and at-risk children and young people (aged 5-19yrs) across a range of campus and community-based services. Many of the young people we care for have experienced significant trauma in their lives and Kibble offers dedicated care and support to help them move forward and achieve the best outcomes possible. These services include residential, secure services (Safe Centre) and community support, as well as dedicated education and wellbeing services. Kibble is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to behave in such a way that supports this commitment.

The role will include:

• Being part of a new and unique team who will drive the highest possible standards of care for young people and shape excellence in practice across our services.
• You will support and promote the culture of continuous improvement and professional development within the organisation, modelling good practice for the staff team, in accordance with the Kibble values and ethos.
• Senior Practitioners will also demonstrate the necessary support, motivation and mentoring to ensure the staff team achieve the very best outcomes for the young people.
• Senior Practitioners should have a clear understanding of the key policy documents, both within Kibble and the wider Care sector, which positively promote the care and wellbeing of young people.
• Senior Practitioners must Safeguard and promote the welfare of young people. You must also have a good working knowledge of Safeguarding policies and procedures, and ensure they are fully implemented and adhered to by the staff team.
• To work within the code of confidentiality, ensuring records and information are stored and shared in a manner which is fully compliant with regulations and GDPR.
• To promote, support and participate in staff training and development which is relevant to the organisation and the development of high-quality services for young people.
• Assist staff to fully understand and effectively operate the role of key worker and associated duties.
• Participate in Audit/QA responsibilities within the house.
• Participate and organise inductions processes for new staff.
• Take responsibility for leading and co-ordinating the shift team, including diary planning and management of external MDT meetings.
• Participate in supervising sessional staff and volunteers, also mentoring or overseeing the mentoring of trainee CYCW.
• Contributing to the house development plan.
• Participate in the coordination of Transition planning for young people, ensuring all associated paperwork is completed to as high standard.
• In conjunction with the management team, ensure all administrative tasks and record keeping is up to date and completed to a high standard.
• To ensure staff are sensitive of the individual needs of young people, taking account of their gender, sexual preferences, race, culture, language and religion.
• Ensure that all Health and Safety policy and procedures are fully adhered to within the service.
• Where required, participate in the staff recruitment process.
• Provide support and cover as directed to other parts of the organisation where necessary.
• Deputise in the absence of the management team where necessary.
• Participation in a duty rota as directed.
• May be required to participate in the on-call rota.

Person:

• You must be an experienced Child and Youth Care worker with at least 3 years’ experience and registered with the SSSC.
• You must be qualified to HNC/SVQ3 level and be willing to take on further qualifications/training.
• You should have a good working knowledge of the Care Inspectorates Quality Framework and how its applied: A quality framework for care homes for children and young people and school care accommodation (special residential schools).
• You should have a working knowledge and demonstrable experience of the application of Health and Social Care legislation, Quality Care Standards Framework and Secure Care Pathway and Standards.
• You must have a good working knowledge and understanding of Child Protection and Safeguarding policy and procedures.
• You should have a good working knowledge of national policy/research and legislation relating to the wider Child Care agenda.
• You must have excellent knowledge, experience and ability of multidisciplinary working to promote positive outcomes for young people.You must have highly developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• You must be able to effectively manage and support staff to deal with young people in crisis.
• You must have strong written; verbal and communication skills and your presentation skills must be of a high standard
• Ability to work flexibly in response to the exigencies of the service.
• Ability to work on own initiative whilst balancing priorities to meet deadlines and team objectives.
• Ability to form excellent working relationships.
• Ability to challenge practice, show professional courage and drive and support change.
• Ability to ensure child, staff and organisational confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• In terms of line management, you will report directly to the Service Manager.

Notes:

1. This job outline reflects the main tasks and responsibilities discharged by the post holder at the present time, however, Kibble reserves the right to alter or amend the content of this job outline to reflect changes to the job or services provided, while maintaining the overall character and level of responsibility for the post.

2. Notwithstanding any information or statement described within this job outline, all duties must be carried out in a way that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and respect for all individuals and which is consistent with Kibble’s stated policy on equal opportunities.

3. The successful candidate will be subject to PVG Scheme Membership. Having previous convictions will not automatically disbar you from working at Kibble (with the exception of offences against children or other vulnerable groups) and every case is taken on an individual basis.

4. The successful candidate will be required to undertake Safe Crisis Management (SCM) training and will require a level of fitness to be able to carry out SCM. The successful candidate must be able to participate fully in this training and be prepared to put this training into practice. The SCM training will consist of two days theory and two days physical training. The successful candidate must complete this training prior to taking up post. Should the candidate for any reason fail any aspect of the SCM training (theory, physical or both parts), an additional input and opportunity would be given to successfully complete the training and achieve the required level of proficiency.

5. Appointments will be subject to a twelve-month probationary period.