At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with SEND, helping them thrive in their community and develop independence.
- Company: Join North East Lincolnshire Council, a dedicated team making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, personal development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with varied shifts, perfect for those looking to make a difference.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on children's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Passion for caring for children, strong communication skills, and flexibility.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 31022 £ per year.
Can you make a difference to a child with SEND? Are you passionate about building meaningful relationships with young people & their families? You will be joining a service that is built on passion, dedication and the drive to help make a difference in the lives of children and young people. We are registered with the care quality commission and have a rating of “good”.
What will your day look like? The post operates on a rolling two‑week shift pattern. Shift allocation during the week will be dependent on contracted hours (for example, employees on a 16‑hour contract will work fewer shifts per week). The service is predominantly community based, meeting children before school, after school and on weekends, creating opportunities for independence and community involvement.
- Morning shifts (weekdays only): 6.30am – 8.30am
- Afternoon shifts (weekdays only): 2.30pm – 6.30pm
- Weekend shifts: 8.00am – 5.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays (worked on an every‑other‑week basis)
- School holidays: During school holiday periods, shift times move to daytime hours as children are not in school. Afternoon weekday shifts typically change from 2.30pm – 6.30pm to 10.00am – 2.00pm.
Key responsibilities:
- We provide services before school hours to help children get up and ready for school, after school hours engaging in community activities, and during weekends developing independence skills.
- Act as an appropriate role model to help children achieve their optimum potential.
- Enable children to live a life that ensures their individual voice is heard, listened to, valued & respected.
- Provide children with the best possible health and wellbeing care and support, ensuring they live full and healthy lives and are educated on the value of self‑care and wellbeing.
- Promote the individual identity of children, creating an environment of equality where they receive support to enable them to develop and flourish into successful, confident adults in our local community.
Who are we looking for? We are seeking candidates who are passionate about caring for children and determined to ensure that our children achieve the best possible outcomes. You will be highly motivated and ambitious about the future for our children. You will need a good level of written report writing skills and clear communication skills to communicate with children, colleagues and partner agencies. Organisation is key, with a willingness to work flexibly and meet the needs of our children. This post requires working unsocial hours at times, and weekend work as part of a rolling rota pattern. You will need to be approachable, resilient and adaptive to the needs of young people within our care, and you must be available to work weekends and have the ability to drive your own vehicle or use a council fleet vehicle.
Why join us? We offer a supportive environment dedicated to making a real positive difference for children and young people, with opportunities for personal and professional development.
Community Respite Officer – Short Breaks Service employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
North East Lincolnshire Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children with SEND. With a strong focus on personal and professional development, our supportive work culture fosters passion and dedication, allowing employees to build lasting relationships with young people and their families. Located in the vibrant North East Lincolnshire, we offer flexible working hours and a commitment to employee wellbeing, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally while making a difference in your community.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Respite Officer – Short Breaks Service
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Kirklees Metropolitan Council, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Kirklees Metropolitan Council or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Respite Officer – Short Breaks Service
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
