At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities and their families through meaningful activities and tailored care.
- Company: Join Camden Council's compassionate Children and Young People Disability Service.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and offering well-being support.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and excellent communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
We are currently seeking compassionate and skilled Short Breaks Practitioners to join our Children and Young People Disability Service (CYPDS 0–25). This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people with severe to profound disabilities and/or complex health needs.
Short Breaks are a vital element of Camden Council’s support for children and young people with disabilities and their families. They provide opportunities for children and young people to enjoy positive activities away from their primary carers, while giving parents and carers essential time to rest and recharge. The Short Breaks Practitioner will lead strengths‑based reviews of social care packages for children and young people with severe to profound disabilities and/or complex health needs. Working collaboratively with the young person and their family, the role ensures positive outcomes that enable each individual to reach their full potential.
Key responsibilities include:
- Advocating for the young person during assessments of needs, risks, and capacity, whilst also considering and identifying safeguarding concerns and developing appropriate solutions with managerial support.
- Working closely with SEND colleagues and local educational providers to ensure the aims of the young person’s Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) are consistently met.
- Coordinating with health professionals across children’s and adult services to deliver a systemic approach to meeting assessed needs.
- Preparing young people for adulthood through liaison with statutory, private and voluntary organisations to address holistic needs and achieve positive outcomes.
- Providing practical support and assistance to Social Workers on complex cases and collaborating closely with the Short Breaks Coordinator to ensure high‑quality service delivery.
This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require an Enhanced DBS. Camden also offers a DBS update service.
All About You
The successful candidate will:
- Be a good communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
- Have experience organising, coordinating, and developing services for children and young people or working directly with children and young people.
- Have a good working knowledge of the pressures faced by families with children living in socially deprived neighbourhoods as well as the issues faced by disadvantaged families.
- Bring excellent experience of working with children with disabilities and of providing support to disabled children and their families in multi‑cultural communities.
- Have an excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, IT, and data recording systems.
We strongly encourage applicants to write their applications themselves. Please avoid using AI‑generated content when applying.
What We Offer
- 27 days annual leave for new starters, rising to 31 days after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible working opportunities
- Interest‑free loans
- Access to our staff networks
- Career development and training
- Well‑being support and activities
At Camden, we want every colleague to feel they belong and can thrive. We welcome applications from all parts of our community, and particularly encourage people from Black, Asian and Other Ethnic Heritage communities, LGBTQ+ people, disabled and neurodiverse people, survivors of domestic abuse, and those from lower socio‑economic backgrounds or with care experience.
Camden is committed to making our recruitment practices barrier‑free and accessible. If you would like adjustments during the application, interview or assessment process, please contact us at 020 7974 6655, email resourcing@camden.gov.uk or post to 5 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG.
Camden’s recruitment for this role is anonymised to support the objective of reducing the impact of unconscious bias.
Short Breaks Practitioner in Camden Town employer: London Borough of Camden
As a Strategic Programme Manager with the London Borough of Camden, you will be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to enhancing social care and inclusion across London. The organisation fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and professional growth, offering numerous opportunities for career advancement while making a meaningful impact in the community. With a focus on cross-borough partnerships and strategic leadership, this role provides a unique chance to drive change in a vibrant urban environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Short Breaks Practitioner in Camden Town
✨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 London Borough of Camden.
✨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 London Borough of Camden!
✨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 London Borough of Camden, 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 London Borough of Camden 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 Short Breaks Practitioner in Camden Town
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 London Borough of Camden:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to London Borough of Camden! 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 London Borough of Camden
✨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.
