Community Short Breaks Practitioner

Salary: £25,500 per annum, pro rata

Location: Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

Contract/Hours: Permanent / Part Time – We have a variety of part time hours available from 8, 16, 22 and 30 hour contracts

Benefits:

· 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave

· Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities

· Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages

· Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover

· Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts.

A bit about the role

Silverton’s Community Hub is a wonderful project that builds on the success of our residential service in Hamilton. Our goal is to support families who have a child with a disability, helping each child feel included in their community, enjoy the simple joys of childhood, and grow in confidence. At the same time, we aim to strengthen families so they feel more able to manage the everyday challenges of caring.

In this role, you’ll be offering one‑to‑one support to young people aged 5–23. Every child is unique, so the support you give is shaped around their individual needs, interests, personality and strengths. Each young person has a detailed, well‑researched care plan that is guided by their own voice and choices.

A big part of your work will be getting out into the community with the young people, helping them try new things, enjoy everyday activities, and explore what they love. This might include trips to parks, swimming, bowling, the cinema, shopping, travelling by bus or train, or visiting cafés, clubs and museums.

At other times, you’ll be based at our Community Hub, running small‑group activities. These might be arts and crafts sessions, fun group games, or activities that help build life skills. You’ll also help children learn about boundaries, relationships and positive behaviour, while still making sure they have plenty of fun. Some children may show challenging behaviour at times, so we’re looking for someone who is calm, patient, understanding and compassionate - someone who can be a steady, positive role model.

Support hours are offered on a rota across all seven days of the week. Demand for our service is high, so additional hours are often available.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of a Community Short Breaks Practitioner role are;

· Supporting young people with a learning disability to feel included and visible in their community.

· Offering practical and emotional support, including personal care, while helping to maintain a clean, safe and nurturing environment.

· Encouraging young people to learn, explore and have fun in safe, supportive settings.

· Creating a space where they can relax, spend time with friends and enjoy themselves.

· Helping them build towards a positive and fulfilling future.

· Supporting them in all areas of daily life, promoting their wellbeing, health and happiness.

Let's talk about you

Are you resilient and have a positive approach to change and challenge? We are looking for someone with a ‘can do’ attitude to join our team.

· Experience working in a care setting, with the ability to build positive, trusting relationships.

· Confidence using a variety of communication approaches to work effectively with young people and their families.

· A calm, solution focused attitude when facing challenges, both independently and as part of a team.

· Emotional resilience and the ability to stay steady and supportive during the more demanding moments of the role.

· A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or an equivalent qualification). If you don’t yet have this, you’ll need to be willing to complete it within two years of joining us, and we’ll provide full support to help you achieve it.

Good to know 

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 12574

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.