As a Social Pedagogy Practitioner, you will ensure that children in our home receive the best care possible and have the same opportunities as everyone else. You will work closely with their families to strengthen relationships and help them to achieve their potential.
You will build strong relationships with young people on an individual and group basis, engaging in fun and practical activities with them. You will support them on their journey through their teenage years, help them figure out their future plans, and work towards their goals. You will help keep them safe and act as an advocate and role model for them. You will work with young people, their families, your team and partner agencies to achieve this.
We are looking for people who are committed to working with young people in care, and want to encourage and help them to reach their goals. We are looking for enthusiastic team players, who have a positive attitude, a willingness to get stuck in, and the determination to make our first home a success!
We hire for potential, so we encourage applications from people who feel they may not meet every aspect of the person specification. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of issues affecting children in care and their families.
Please click here to see the full job description.
We know that children in residential care have poor outcomes – for example, only 4% get ‘good’ GCSEs (DfE, 2014), 62% of children in children’s homes have a mental health condition (DfE, 2014) and about half of young offenders are care leavers (Prison Reform Trust, 2016).
At Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust, we believe that children in care should have the same opportunities as everyone else, and that our unique approach will enable this and support them to thrive. We are working to create safe, stable placements for children in a place that feels like home. Education is at the top of our list of priorities to help young people achieve their goals. We believe social pedagogy provides an excellent basis for supporting children who live in residential care. We want the very best people working with the most vulnerable children.
We are working to improve the lives of young people, but also to change the wider perception of residential care, and how the bigger system functions. You can be part of our journey to positively impact the children you work with, and the system you work in.
At Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust, we do things differently. Our number one focus is the well-being of children and young people, so our training and development is centred on helping you understand how to best connect with and support children and young people in care.
Our training programme is designed to equip staff with the skills and knowledge they will need to be an excellent practitioner. We know children benefit from having consistent, long-term adults in their lives so investing in career development and progression within our homes is important to us.
Initial Training
When you start with us, you begin several weeks of training where you will be introduced to the theory and practice of social pedagogy-informed residential care. During the training you will participate in a variety of sessions and activities delivered by Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust staff and external organisations.
Year 1 and 2
During your training in the first couple of years in role, the focus is on learning about therapeutic methods, approaches and practices. During this time, you will work towards achieving a recognised qualification. Alongside this you will participate in other training to supplement your knowledge and develop your skills in specific areas.
Year 3 and beyond
Once you have completed your first two years with us, you can continue in your role in our homes, take on more responsibility in our organisation, or continue your training and become a children’s home manager in one of our homes or beyond. If you decide to move on, you will leave with recognised skills and qualifications that will set you up for a great career.
To see more frequently asked questions, please see our FAQs page by clicking here.
There are three stages to our recruitment process:
1) Online application
You will need to complete an online application form. The team will be shortlisting applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply as soon as you are ready to do so.
2) Online interviews
If your application is successful, you will be invited to attend an online interview. These interviews are made up of competency-based questions and situational judgement tests.
3) In-person Interview
If you are successful at the online interview stage, you will be invited to the final round interview. This stage includes individual and group activities.
Start in role
Once all the safeguarding checks are complete, including an Enhanced DBS with a check of the child’s barred list, a start date will be agreed.
Our competencies have been developed in partnership with residential care staff and young people, and are the foundations that help us to recruit great staff.
Building relationships with young people: You enjoy spending time with young people and empower them to discover their own potential.
Safeguarding: You take responsibility for keeping young people safe and put their needs first.
Resilience and commitment: You are patient, solutions-focused and you persevere through challenging times.
Reflection and learning: You are able to reflect on practice, and you are open to learning.
Team work: You collaborate effectively with others to achieve goals.
Communication: You communicate clearly, taking time to understand other people’s thoughts and feelings, and you can adapt the way you communicate in different situations.
Problem-solving: You find solutions by building relationships with others, being adaptable, resourceful and willing to learn.
Leadership and integrity: You behave ethically, taking responsibility and role modelling your values in practice.
Before applying
Commitment to safer recruiting
How to apply
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