At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with disabilities to access their community and develop independence.
- Company: Join Nottingham City Council, a progressive and inclusive workplace.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Flexible hours, training opportunities, and a chance to grow your skills.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a proactive, creative approach.
The predicted salary is between 25062 - 30632 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent - There are various positions available for Short Breaks Link Workers. Permanent (annualised hours) contracts to work up to 18.5 hours per week, with an option for additional hours in school holidays. Plus casual (usually to cover sickness/emergency requests and annual leave - not guaranteed hours).
Working Hours: Various - predominantly at weekends and some evenings. The hours may be flexible from week to week (where this also meets service needs), however a fixed schedule is mostly required as part of an annualised hours contract, with options for term-time or school holidays only and other working arrangements.
Worker Type: Mobile Worker
Salary: Starting Salary is £33,673 (Level one) rising through increments to £36,581 (Level four) per annum (pro rata for part-time)
Location: Team base is at Loxley House, Station street Nottingham, NG2 3NG. Role is community based within the Nottingham City boundary.
About the Role: An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Short Breaks Link Work Team. Our team supports children and young people (from 5 years up to 18th birthday) with disabilities and complex health needs to access their community, develop friendships, gain independence and more. The Short Breaks service is all about enabling young people to live their very best lives, exploring their potential and giving them the very best opportunity to have a meaningful and beneficial break. It’s also about ensuring families and full time carers are able to find the time for themselves, which can include doing their housework, shopping, or just having a rest!
As part of the Short Breaks Link Work team you will have the opportunity to access a wealth of training in order to develop your skills and work as part of a supportive team to deliver the best services possible to the young people we support. We want you to recognise the potential in all the young people we work with; to enable, rather than limit them – so we expect link workers to plan person centred sessions with our young people, rather than for them, and focus on the child's voice. This gives you the unique opportunity to explore the local community and support them to try new things – for example climbing, board-gaming, or even eating a new healthy snack for the first time! The role offers the opportunity to become an important part of young people's lives and enable them to achieve their aspirations. As their allocated link worker, you will support young people on a regular scheduled basis aiming to achieve identified outcomes and developing independence, by planning and taking part in a variety of fun and exciting activities.
Working with young people with a variety of disabilities such as Autism, Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, complex health needs and children and young people who do not use spoken language to communicate. Successful candidates will be supported to develop their knowledge to become all round experienced support workers. The role supports Children and Young People who live within the Nottingham City area and the post holder will offer direct support and care both in the young person’s home (where appropriate) but mainly in their community. This support will be on a 1:1 basis; however, our more complex children and young people may require 2:1 support (based on their assessed needs). Some of our young people may require personal care, or support with their mobility needs for example, and it’s important that this is managed with their dignity in mind. Compassion, patience and understanding is a must. There may also at times be challenging situations on link work sessions, as we do support some young people who can display behaviour that challenges, so the ability to think fast and react appropriately – and sensitively – is also essential.
We are a Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered service and we currently hold a GOOD rating. Candidates should ideally have their own mode of transport, or be able to use public transport for the efficient performance of duties in line with service requirements. Candidates should have the ability to complete written formal records, inclusive of using IT. It is part of the role and responsibilities to complete regular paperwork and ensure deadlines are met.
About You: Please ensure that you include a personal statement in your CV (or separate document) that demonstrates the following: Knowledge and/or experience of supporting children and young people (ideally in similar roles and 1:1 situations), and those individuals who can display behaviour that challenges. They must have a proactive 'can do' approach and the ability to think creatively when planning sessions and have experience of identifying and supporting others to deliver positive outcomes for children and young people. Candidates should be physically able to carry out all the duties of the role; i.e. supporting complex needs, challenging behaviours and delivering active sessions and be able to work weekends and where needed, evenings. The ability and knowledge of recognising signs of abuse, and how to respond promptly to incidents that may have child protection implications and referring concerns appropriately to line manager. Sensitivity to a diverse range of service users and evidence of responding to their different needs, along with the ability to remain calm and think clearly under pressure whilst remaining focussed on the task. An ability to communicate well, inclusive of verbally and non verbally with those who do not use spoken language as their form of communication. A DBS enhanced check for a regulated activity is required for this post.
At Nottingham City Council we believe that work is what you do, not where you do it. We offer different working arrangements, depending on the role, including hybrid working. Further information on Worker Types and what these mean in terms of how and where you work can be found on the additional information for applicants page.
For informal enquiries please contact Natalie Davies (Short Breaks Team Coordinator), by telephone on 0115 8762745 or by email at shortbreaksservices@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Closing Date: 15th November 2026
Interviews will be held: From the week beginning 23rd November onwards.
Short Breaks Link Workers employer: Nottingham City Council
Nottingham City Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. As a Care Worker Level 2 at Spring Meadow, you will benefit from comprehensive training opportunities and a collaborative environment, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens while promoting independence and dignity in care.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Short Breaks Link Workers
✨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 Nottingham City 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 Nottingham City 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 Nottingham City 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 Nottingham City 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 Short Breaks Link Workers
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 Nottingham City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Nottingham City 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 Nottingham City 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.
