Care Assistant

Acorns Children's Hospice Trust are looking for a Care Assistant for our Black Country Hospice, Walsall to deliver holistic care of children and young people who are life-limited or life-threatened at the hospice or in their home.  This role is offered on a full time basis, working 37.5 hours per week

About the Role

At Acorns, we aim to make every day a special day for children who spend time with us at a hospice. We provide complex care for babies, children and young people, who have life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, both in our hospices and in their homes. Our Care Assistants are part of a supportive, multi-disciplinary team delivering care packages that are tailored to each child’s individual holistic needs – and we’re structured so that you’ll simply ‘have the time to care’.

As a Care Assistant, you’ll 

• Assist nurses in assessing the care needs of the children 
• Deliver day to day care as detailed in the care plan  
• Assist with medication administration 
• Facilitate outings, play and activity that is appropriate to age and development needs.

Our Care Assistants have opportunities to apply for a Trainee Nursing Associate role with us, where you’ll study for a professional qualification, which could support your career into nursing.

Typical shift patterns:
12.5 hour day: 7.30am - 8.00pm or 9.00am - 9.30pm
7.5 hour day:   7.30am - 3.00pm or 2.00pm - 9.30pm
12.5 hour night : 7:30pm - 8am

Discover what it's like to work in an Acorns Children's Hospice: More Than End of Life Care

About You

• Care certificate or willing to work towards
• NNEB or NVQ Level 2 or equivalent (in a subject related to children, families or health)
• Experience in hospital or physical care of children

We’re open every day of the year and are fully responsive to the needs of our children and young people, so we will ask for some flexibility as there will be day and night shifts. 

What We Offer

• £23,400 to £24,720 per annum. Enhancements for Saturdays (30%), Sundays (50%) and nights (50%)
• 37.5 hours per week
• Based in Walsall (WS5 4NL)
• Employee discounts from leading retailers
• Employee gym discount scheme
• Bike-to-Work scheme
• Generous contribution to group personal pension plan or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
• NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme

Interviews are scheduled to be held on 11 November

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check for children and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references.

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Children’s Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?