Job Introduction
About the Home
There is an exciting opportunity to be part of the teams working with children and young people in our short break provision for children with complex health needs and disabilities.
This home is a 10-bedded Unit which provides 24 hour specialist short breaks care for up to 7 days a week. Specialist short break care is where a child comes to us to be cared for while getting the chance to socialise and take part in stimulating activities. This also gives the parents / carers a break and gives them some time to themselves.
The type of Specialist Short Break Care offered ranges from day care, overnights, weekends, mid-weeks and teatime visits. The home also runs summer holiday activities as an additional family support, for children who currently receive a Specialist Short Break Service.
All the bedrooms have specialist beds for maximum comfort and safety and ceiling track hoists for children with physical disabilities. Our home is set in its own grounds with some secure outdoor play areas and play equipment. It has been specifically adapted to meet the needs of children and young people with disabilities and/ or complex health needs.
About the role
Bring your experience working with children and young people with complex health needs and disabilities to our home and help us to create childhoods full of positive experiences and happy memories.
The children and young people in our care have complex health needs and disabilities, making it vital that we provide them with a secure and stable environment, as part of our experienced, committed and compassionate team.
We’re looking for committed individuals who are passionate about putting children and young people at the heart of everything they do.
This role involves shifts, weekends, sleep ins and bank holidays on a rota basis.
What our children want
- Warm and caring personality
- Playing with them
- Watching television with us and joining in with hobbies that we enjoy
- You won’t see the role as a job and will instead see it our home that we live in
What our children say
- “I love to go out to have a pamper day getting my nails and eyebrows done!”
- “I enjoy dedicated time with those who care for me especially going for a walk and getting a Starbuck’s. We have a good chat about what’s going well for me or anything I may need support”
- “I love going to the farm and horse riding, I had never ridden a horse before”
- “I loved the caravan as it was my first ever holiday and it was very nice. I especially loved the kids disco and playing in the arcades.”
- “I love getting my bedtime stories read to me at night time.”
What we expect from you
- Provide a loving, safe and positive environment for our children living with us.
- Be instrumental in creating a positive future for the children living with us from a social, educational and an individual approach.
- Assist with daily activities such as getting ready for the day, including school and assisting with homework where possible.
- Thinking creatively about activities that our children can get involved with and assisting with bringing this to life.
- Being aspirational in relation to plans for children.
- Support our children with their social and emotional needs.
- Experience working with young children with complex health needs and disabilities.
- Hold natural empathy and a caring attitude towards the children that lives with us and adopt a family mentality within the home.
What you can expect from us
- The opportunity to give children and young people a childhood that they deserve
- Enhancements for sleep ins, waking nights, bank holiday are paid in addition to salary
- Regular supervision to support development
- Generous employer contributions in a Local Government Pension Scheme
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Real living wage as the minimum rate of pay
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts
- Professional development and support to work towards a qualification in Residential Childcare
- Career progression
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement
Location: Bradford BD4
Next Steps
For an informal discussion about this role please contact Emma Robertshaw via email at emma.robertshaw@bradfordcft.org.uk.
Closing Date: Sunday 5th January
Interview Date: 16th and 17th January
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
