Children\'s Play and Health Care Worker-Tracheostomy Competent in Bolton

Join Lagans Foundation as a Childrens Play and Health Care Worker and become part of a unique charity that supports children with health and developmental needs in a truly meaningful way. This is not typical care work; it is an opportunity to use play, creativity and connection to help children grow, learn and feel safe in their world. You will support children at home, during school transport and in the community, providing a blend of care, engagement and emotional support that makes every shift count.

We are looking for someone with experience and confidence in complex paediatric care who can adapt quickly, think compassionately and work independently while being part of a supportive wider team. At Lagans Foundation, you will be valued, encouraged to develop and supported with ongoing training, wellbeing benefits and a strong family culture.

If you want a role where you can make a tangible difference, build meaningful relationships and help children thrive through play and care, we would love to hear from you.

As a Childrens Play and Health Care Worker, you will provide a blend of play-based support and high-quality care to children with moderate to complex health needs. You will help create safe, engaging and meaningful experiences that promote each child's development, wellbeing and confidence. Working in the home, community and during school transport, you will adapt activities and care approaches to meet individual needs, ensuring every interaction is purposeful and child-led.

You will also support clinical elements of care appropriate to your competency level, including gastrostomy/PEG care, epilepsy management, oxygen therapy and other agreed skills. Building positive relationships with families and communicating effectively with colleagues is essential to maintaining continuity of care.

The role includes completing accurate records, attending training and supervision, and contributing to a supportive team culture focused on delivering compassionate, child-centred care.

Lagans Foundation is a specialist childrens charity providing in-home and community support to children with complex health and developmental needs across Greater Manchester. We are not a typical care provider; our approach combines play, emotional connection and high-quality care to help children thrive in their own environments. Every child is unique, and our work is centred around meeting them exactly where they are.

Our team is warm, collaborative and deeply committed to making a meaningful difference. We support each other, share knowledge and take pride in creating a positive, family-focused culture where every team member feels valued. You will join a compassionate group of professionals who work with integrity, empathy and a strong sense of purpose.

We invest in our people through comprehensive training, clinical development pathways, wellbeing support and regular supervision. Staff benefits include a Health Cash Plan, EAP with unlimited counselling, pension scheme, flexible benefits and opportunities for progression.

At Lagans Foundation, you are encouraged to bring your whole self to work. We celebrate diversity, welcome individuality and are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.

Childrens Play and Health Care Worker (12 months and above Experience) Must DRIVE & have OWN CAR. No visa sponsorship available.

Shifts may vary depending on the needs of the children and families. We are looking for someone available for the following patterns, initially around 20 hours per week with the potential to increase:

• Monday to Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
• Waking Night Shifts: 10 hours per shift
• Additional shifts may be available depending on training and availability. Flexible options can be discussed with candidates.

• Use play to connect, support learning, development, and emotional wellbeing
• Actively contribute to meaningful, fun, and safe experiences
• Provide high-quality care alongside play, including personal care where needed
• Build trusted relationships with families and colleagues
• Think on your feet and adapt to each child's unique world
• Attend regular team meetings, training, and supervision
• Keep up-to-date records and contribute to excellent communication across the team
• Be a true ambassador of Lagans Foundation; we are one family

We hire people, not just qualifications. We're looking for individuals who naturally live our values:

• Passion: You care deeply about helping children thrive
• Resilience: You can handle emotional situations with strength and seek support when needed
• Integrity: You do the right thing, even when no one is watching
• Good Communication: You listen well, speak kindly, and work as part of a team
• Empathy: You truly understand and connect with the children and families you support

In addition, you'll need:

• Competent in tracheostomy care and experience supporting a child with a tracheostomy
• Experience working with children and young people
• A love for play-based learning and interaction
• Confidence to work independently and collaboratively
• Full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle (with business insurance)
• Willingness to work towards, or already hold, Level 3 Health & Social Care
• Ideally, a qualification in childcare, playwork, or similar, plus Level 2 Health and Social Care
• A clear Enhanced DBS-Child & Adult

To apply for this role, you must:

• Be a UK national, or have settled/pre-settled status, or hold Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / Indefinite Leave to Enter (ILE)
• Have been ordinarily resident in the UK or EEA for at least the past 3 years
• Be aged 16 or over and not in full-time education
• Have the right to work in the UK; we are unable to provide visa sponsorship

Applicants who do not meet these criteria unfortunately cannot be considered.

Because we are a family; we take care of our own. Here's what you'll get in return:

• 28 days holiday (FTE)
• Health Cash Plan (Hospital Saturday Fund) and Perkbox after probation
• Charity Worker Discounts
• EAP Support; well-being and free unlimited counselling
• On-site parking where applicable
• Ongoing training, professional development, and emotional support

At Lagans Foundation, we welcome you all of you. We embrace diversity, celebrate individuality, and support every team member to grow. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer and are happy to discuss flexible working or any reasonable adjustments you may need.

Ready to Help Children Thrive Through Play? If you want to bring light into the life of a child with complex needs, and you believe in the power of play, care, and connection we want to hear from you.

Send your CV to applications@lagans.org.uk or call 01204 800304 for an informal chat.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 12 months experience supporting children or young people with health or developmental needs
• Experience providing care for children with complex health needs
• Competence in tracheostomy care, or willingness to undertake training and competency assessment
• Good communication skills, including record keeping and working with families and professionals
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and ability to work within policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently in the child's home and community, and as part of a wider team
• Full UK driving licence and access to own car for work, with business insurance
• Willingness to work towards Level 3 Health & Social Care (if not already achieved)
• Ability to support personal care needs where required
• Enhanced DBS (Child & Adult Workforce) or willingness to obtain one
• Right to work in the UK without visa sponsorship
• Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, Childcare, Early Years, Playwork or a related field
• Level 2 Health and Social Care (if not already completed)
• Additional training in paediatric clinical procedures (e.g., suctioning, nebuliser use, seizure management, oxygen therapy)
• Experience supporting a child or young person with a tracheostomy in a home or community setting
• Experience mentoring or supporting less experienced carers
• Knowledge of child development, sensory needs or behaviour support strategies
• Experience delivering play-based, child-led activities to support development and emotional wellbeing
• Experience working in homecare, community care, or paediatric settings
• Training in safeguarding, moving and handling, first aid, or other relevant modules
• Ability to adapt communication and care approaches to meet individual needs
• Understanding of emotional resilience and family-centred care

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.