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- Tasks: Lead a team to support children with disabilities and coordinate engaging activities.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a leading charity transforming lives for over 150 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days leave, flexible working, and discounts at 15,000 retailers.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in children's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Diploma Level 3 or equivalent, driving licence, and experience with children with disabilities required.
- Other info: Part-time role with flexible hours, mainly weekdays, and opportunities for personal growth.
Salary: £25,000 per annum (£20,270 per annum pro-rata)
Location: Swansea
Contract/Hours: Fixed-time contract until August 2026, Part-time - 30 hours per week
Benefits:
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and options to buy or sell leave
- Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages
- Pension with up to 7% matched employer contribution with included life assurance cover
- Staff discounts and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers discounts
We are a Real Living Wage accredited employer. We are one of the largest children's charities in the UK and have been making a difference to the lives of the UK's vulnerable children for over 150 years.
About the Service
Our 3 caravan short breaks service located at the Llanridhian works in conjunction with Swansea Short Breaks, where children with disabilities are able to enjoy two-overnight residential short breaks stays at the park. We ensure the children feel involved in their community and enjoy their childhood experience, whilst building their confidence. Prioritizing health and well-being, we provide opportunities for children to recharge and enjoy quality time together. Our team are instrumental in creating positive experiences, whilst making a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we support.
About the role
As a Community Short Breaks Practitioner, you will be responsible for managing a small team who provide an effective, efficient service covering short breaks, groups and other support agencies in Swansea. We are ready to support and develop you to build on the experience you already have. This role requires some flexibility but is generally weekdays only, combining some office hours in our Llandarcy base with up to 2 evenings/sleep-ins at our service in the Gower, which are usually on a Monday and Tuesday.
How you will help to create brighter futures
The aim of this role is to co-ordinate and direct the support of children, young people and families, by agreeing interventions, which enable positive and agreed outcomes to be achieved. You will help do this by:
- Leading a team to support children and young people with disabilities to reach their potential
- Building positive relationships with families, professional colleagues and within multi-agency networks
- Running a range of groups and activities to help children and young people grow
- Supporting those in our care to access a range of stimulating experiences
- Taking responsibility for day-to-day resource and rota planning and caseload management to ensure high quality services are delivered
Let's talk about you
The 'must-haves' are:
- Diploma Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant area
- Driving licence with own vehicle and business insurance
- Experience of working with children or young people who have disabilities or challenging needs
- Ability to lead staff teams to work flexibly in order to support families at critical times
- Proven track record of managing staff in the context of supporting and developing people
- Strong understanding of the issues and challenges facing families
Good to know
Interviews to be held 09 May 2025. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion
At Action for Children, we are 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.
Community Short Breaks Practitioner employer: Action for Children
Contact Detail:
Action for Children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Short Breaks Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with disabilities. Understanding their challenges and how to support them will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of child care and disability support. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with others who work in similar roles, as they can provide valuable insights and potentially refer you to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Highlight any relevant experience you have in leading teams or managing staff. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully supported and developed team members in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Action for Children thoroughly. Understanding their mission, values, and the specific services they offer will allow you to tailor your approach and demonstrate your alignment with their goals during the application process.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Short Breaks Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Community Short Breaks Practitioner position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise any previous experience working with children or young people, particularly those with disabilities. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and manage caseloads effectively.
Showcase Your Qualifications: Make sure to mention your Diploma Level 3 or equivalent qualifications clearly in your CV and cover letter. If you have additional training or certifications relevant to child care or support services, include those as well.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager if possible, and express your passion for making a difference in the lives of children and families. Share why you want to work specifically with Action for Children and how you can contribute to their mission.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly read the job description and understand the responsibilities of a Community Short Breaks Practitioner. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with the role, especially in managing teams and supporting children with disabilities.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Highlight your relevant experience working with children or young people who have disabilities. Share specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your capability and passion for the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle challenging situations. Think about past experiences where you successfully led a team or resolved conflicts, and be ready to share these stories.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication
Since the role involves building relationships with families and professionals, be prepared to discuss your approach to teamwork and communication. Highlight any experience you have in multi-agency settings and how you foster collaboration among team members.
