At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and improve short breaks services for disabled children and young people.
- Company: Hackney Council, dedicated to inclusive and high-quality services.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, hybrid working, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape services that truly benefit children and families in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with disabled children’s services and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Hackney (Hybrid)
Service: Children & Families – Disabled Children’s Service
Rate: £40.52 per hour (Umbrella)
Contract: Maternity Cover
Hackney Council is looking for an experienced Short Breaks Coordinator to lead the strategic and operational delivery of short breaks for disabled children and young people. This is a key role within the Disabled Children’s Service, with responsibility for performance, contracts, budgets and service development across Hackney’s short breaks offer.
About the role
You will be responsible for overseeing the quality, accessibility and affordability of short breaks provision, ensuring services meet the needs of children, young people and their families while delivering value for money. The post plays a central role in contract management, commissioning activity and continuous service improvement, working closely with internal teams, health partners and the voluntary sector.
You will also manage and support a small team of short breaks staff and contribute to wider parent and carer participation across the borough.
Key responsibilities
- Lead on performance monitoring, regulation and quality assurance of short breaks services
- Manage and monitor contracts, ensuring compliance with council and corporate frameworks
- Oversee significant budgets, including monitoring spend and producing performance and financial reports
- Drive the ongoing development of Hackney’s short breaks offer, including accessibility in mainstream settings
- Line manage short breaks staff and provide effective leadership and support
- Work closely with families, providers, health partners and voluntary organisations
- Lead on service user and parent/carer participation, ensuring lived experience informs service development
- Contribute to commissioning activity, including homecare and related services
What we’re looking for
- Strong experience working with services for disabled children and young people
- Proven background in commissioning, contract management or service development
- Experience managing budgets and producing detailed reports for senior stakeholders
- Confident people manager with experience leading front‑line staff
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with families, providers and partners
- Strong understanding of the policy landscape for disabled children and their families
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery
Why Hackney?
Hackney is committed to delivering inclusive, high‑quality services and placing children, young people and families at the heart of everything we do. You’ll be joining a forward‑thinking service with scope to shape provision and make a real impact.
Interested? Apply now or get in touch with QSW Talent Partner.
Short Breaks Coordinator in Slough employer: Connect2Hackney
Contact Detail:
Connect2Hackney Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Short Breaks Coordinator in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those who work with disabled children and young people. Attend local events or online webinars to connect with potential employers and learn more about the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Hackney Council and their approach to short breaks services. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their mission of delivering inclusive services.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you've successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight your ability to balance strategic thinking with operational delivery, as this is key for the Short Breaks Coordinator role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our services.
We think you need these skills to ace Short Breaks Coordinator in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with disabled children and young people. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities of the Short Breaks Coordinator role.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your skills in contract management, budget oversight, and team leadership. We’re looking for someone who can confidently manage performance and drive service improvement, so let us know how you’ve done this in the past!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and experiences without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates about the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Connect2Hackney
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of short breaks services for disabled children. Brush up on relevant policies and frameworks, as well as Hackney's approach to service delivery. This will show that you’re not just interested in the role but also committed to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Short Breaks Coordinator, you'll be managing a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in challenging situations. Highlight your ability to motivate staff and drive performance, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Budgets
Since you'll be overseeing significant budgets, come prepared to discuss your experience with financial management. Bring examples of how you've monitored spending and produced reports for stakeholders. This will demonstrate your capability to handle the financial aspects of the role.
✨Engage with Real-Life Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about how you would handle specific challenges related to service user participation or contract compliance. Showing that you can think on your feet and apply your knowledge practically will set you apart.