Douglas Brook

My main role is to provide daytime, evening and weekend leadership across the residential cottages of Harmeny, I'm responsible for allocating staff and providing balance to staff teams to ensure our young people are provided with the best care we can give. Some of my duties have changed to meet the needs of the organisation as my role has developed. As a result i have managed Sessional RCCW's, Night Awake staff and Night Awake Care workers. This entailed providing regular supervisions, annual performance reviews, mid probation and end of probation meetings and exit interviews, authorising annual leave, and developing a working knowledge of the rota's and keeping them up to date.

I have regularly been part of the recruitment process and have been an Interviewer for various roles. RCCW, (Both sessional and full time) and for Night Awakes.

I am a Fire Warden and am trained in CPR and basic first aid.

In my day to day practice i have upheld quality standards, with specific focus on confidentiality and data protection.

Maintained up to date knowledge on residential childcare policy, practice and legislation to ensure compliance. Facilitated smooth residence operations, producing and maintaining high-quality records. Maintained compliance with all regulatory and safeguarding procedures.

Reported suspicion, evidence or allegations of incidents of violence or child protection issues.

With regards to the young people, i often help by using de escalation them help gain self-control by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding acceptable, pro-social conduct. Formed trusting relationships with children, working flexibly to adapt to changing and challenging individual needs. I also exhibite unconditional positive regard to assist children in building self-worth and confidence.

I held a position of Residential Child Care Worker.

I worked with children and young people between the ages of 6 to 14, with complex social, emotional and behavioural needs. I provide support in both education and care settings in both a daily and an all year round basis.

Working in a cottage of 6 young people, as part of a team of staff.

My responsibilities were to provide a caring nurturing environment, where the needs of the young people are paramount. This role included key working individuals, often working alongside their families and external professionals in line with their care plan or GIRFEC. Part of my key working responsibilities include making initial assessments, using resilience frameworks, which would indicate any therapeutic interventions required. I provided regular reports of the young people's progress as required from the Children's hearing and review systems. I regularly attend children's hearings and child care reviews, and where required acted as an advocate on behalf of the young person.
My experience of working with children and young people over the years has given me a much greater understanding and experience in working with individuals with complex needs. I have developed excellent communication skills by working with both external professionals and also with families. Having dealt with challenging situations on a regular basis I have developed a strong emotional resilience, which enables me to remain calm in often difficult situations. I have developed strong leadership skills, which have been paramount in creating a relaxed, calm, fun and safe place for the people in my care.

I particularly enjoy building positive trusting relationships with young people and believe that in doing so it enables me to work with them to help them reach their full potential.

Working in a Sessional role at Harmeny meant that I could be placed in any of the residential cottages as required. My job was to contribute and maintain a caring and nurturing environment to the children and young people that live there. Having previously worked at Harmeny on a full time basis for over nine and a half years, I have experience in all aspects of a full time Residential Care Worker. Sessional, however I was very helpful in assisting the full time staff in their various roles and duties. While using my knowledge and broad experience to build relationships with the young people.

I was part of the Well Control Team, and was responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Well. I am trained to operate and maintain various heavy machinery on the drill floor, and worked as part of a team in a compact and potentially hazardous environment. I have learned the importance of safety, teamwork, communication and flexibility.

I often had to take Lead Roughneck role, as and when required by the Driller, as I became one of the long standing members of the crew. This entailed organising a team with 4 other Roughnecks, to prepare for upcoming jobs, ensure the task ran smoothly, and most importantly safely. I had to complete regular risk assessments, and ensure all members of the crew were aware of the dangers, and their specific roles in the task. I often had to organise breaks and lunch cover to ensure the job was not slowed down, but also to make sure the roughnecks were fed and rested enough to do their jobs safely.

I also was in the Deck crew for helicopter refueling, Gantry crane Operator, Fire Team member, Rescue boat Driver and Fork lift driver.

Position Held - Residential Child Care Worker

Please see same position above