Care workers sought to work in new children’s home near Oswestry

An advert for the new roles

Shropshire Council is on the lookout for people interested in working in a new children’s home that is set to open near Oswestry in the coming weeks.

The home is one of two being opened by the council this year to increase the provision of accommodation for local ‘looked-after’ children in the council’s care – helping to prevent them from having to move out of the county, and enabling the council to better support them.

The first new home – near Shrewsbury – opened in February 2020.

Vacancies are available now for residential care shift leaders and residential care workers in the new home – as well as in the council’s three other children’s homes.

Sonya Miller, Shropshire Councils’ interim assistant director forchildren’s social care and safeguarding, said:

 “We’re proud of our employees and the services that we provide for children in Shropshire – particularly at this challenging time – and hope to continue to provide high quality care for more of Shropshire’s children and young people.

“We’re seeking people who are passionate about improving lives of some of the most vulnerable children and young people in looked after care and can show understanding, compassion and empathy whilst providing a high-quality of care.”

The council is opening the new homes to provide accommodation for children within the county, which is becoming increasingly difficult to find. The aim is to improve choice for Shropshire children and young people and help reduce the need for, and costs of, external residential placements.

Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said:

“These new homes will enable us to better meet the needs of our looked-after children by providing additional accommodation within the county. This will lead to a wide range of benefits for the children, our staff and the council. Children will be closer to home, staff won’t need to travel long distances to visit them, and the council can provide much better care for these children, especially those with complex needs, improving their life chances so that they can develop into responsible Shropshire residents.”

For more information and to apply visit www.careers.shropshire.gov.uk and search for vacancy reference 1305 – residential care shift leader, and 1345 – residential care workers.

Questions can be emailed to: careersinresidentialchildcare@shropshire.gov.uk.

Further information

About the roles

Qualifications and relevant children’s experience are essential for shift leader positions and are desirable for residential childcare worker positions.

Competitive salaries are offered, plus access to training and career development, a generous employer pension scheme and other benefits.

The minimum age requirement for all roles is 21 and it is essential that you hold a full driving licence.

Some of the things that staff at the council’s other children’s homes have said:

“I have enjoyed working as an residential children’s worker for a number of years. I find my job very rewarding and love seeing the young people achieve outcomes and progress. I enjoy the structure and professionalism that working for the council brings.”

“I recently moved from the private sector to children’s services for Shropshire Council. I feel more respected in my role and feel I have more of a direct impact on the progression of each young person I work with. I am also enjoying the additional incentives that the local authority provides such as additional holiday entitlement, opportunities for additional work and knowing that my pension is growing along with my career.” 

“I have been working for Shropshire Council for ten years now and find it a really supportive and rewarding environment; there is a great sense of team from all that work for children’s services”

“I love my job looking after Shropshire’s children. I feel supported in my role and get a lot of satisfaction in giving back to my local community”