At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop Short Breaks programmes for children with disabilities, ensuring quality services.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on improving lives of children and young people with disabilities.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, work in a supportive environment, and make a real difference.
- Other info: Collaborative team atmosphere with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key contact for families and help shape inclusive services that promote wellbeing.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, organisational abilities, and a passion for supporting families.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our Children with Disability Team as a Short Breaks Co‑Ordinator. In this role you will manage the short breaks programmed for children and young people with disabilities.
To lead and develop the Short Breaks programme for children and young people with disabilities, ensuring high quality, value for money services that meet local authority priorities and the needs of families. The role oversees commissioning, contracts, budget management and performance monitoring, while acting as a key point of contact for families. This includes supporting families to access Short Breaks, managing enquiries (including complex cases), and building strong, trusted relationships. You will work closely with providers, parents/carers, SEN teams and partner organisations to shape and deliver services, informed by consultation, feedback and data. The postholder also leads on statutory duties, including the Short Breaks Statement, and coordinates engagement, communications and promotional activity. In addition, the role manages youth participation initiatives, ensuring children and young people have a meaningful voice in decisions about Short Breaks provision, and responds flexibly to emerging needs, escalating safeguarding concerns where required.
The Short Breaks team is a small team of two workers who work collaboratively to deliver the service. The team is dedicated to improving the lives of children and young people with disabilities by providing inclusive, high-quality opportunities that offer meaningful breaks from daily routines. The service supports families across the borough by coordinating activities, events and commissioned services that promote independence, wellbeing and social inclusion. Within the team, roles focus on programme coordination, family engagement, contract management and financial oversight. The team works closely with internal colleagues and external providers and reports to a senior manager within children’s services.
You enjoy working with people and can communicate clearly with a wide range of audiences, including families, young people, and professionals. You are organised and able to manage different tasks, projects, or priorities at the same time. You take a customer‑focused approach and are motivated to help families access the support they need. You are comfortable using IT systems and willing to learn new tools and processes. You can work collaboratively with colleagues and external partners to achieve shared outcomes. You are able to handle sensitive situations with care and follow appropriate procedures when needed.
Essential for This Role Enhanced DBS is required for this role.
Short Breaks Coordinator employer: London Borough of Hounslow
As a Short Breaks Coordinator within our dedicated Children with Disability Team, you will find yourself in an enriching work environment that prioritises the well-being of children and families. We offer a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation, alongside opportunities for professional growth and development. Located in a community-focused borough, our team is committed to making a meaningful impact, ensuring that every day brings new challenges and rewards in improving the lives of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Short Breaks Coordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the Children with Disability sector, attend relevant events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with children and young people with disabilities. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its Short Breaks programme. Understand their values and priorities so you can tailor your responses to show how you align with their mission. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression. It shows you’re professional and keen on the role. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Short Breaks Coordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Short Breaks Coordinator role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of supporting children and families!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves working with a variety of audiences, be sure to demonstrate your communication abilities in your written application. Use clear and concise language to show us you can connect with families, young people, and professionals alike.
Highlight Your Organisational Skills:We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple tasks and priorities. In your application, share examples of how you've successfully managed projects or coordinated activities in the past. This will help us see your potential fit for the role!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensure you’re considered for the Short Breaks Coordinator position. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Borough of Hounslow
✨Know Your Programme Inside Out
Make sure you understand the Short Breaks programme thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with the local authority priorities and how your role will help meet the needs of families. This knowledge will show your commitment and readiness to lead and develop the programme.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since you'll be working with families, young people, and professionals, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles, especially in sensitive situations. This will highlight your ability to build strong, trusted relationships.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Budget Management
As budget management is a key part of the role, come prepared to discuss your experience with financial oversight. Think of specific instances where you've managed budgets or contracts successfully, and be ready to explain how you ensured value for money in your previous roles.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
The role requires juggling multiple tasks and projects, so be ready to talk about your organisational strategies. Share examples of how you've prioritised tasks in the past and how you ensure that nothing falls through the cracks, especially when dealing with complex cases.
