Short Breaks Assessment and Review Officer in Oldham

As a Short Breaks Assessment & Review Officer you will carry out holistic assessments and carers assessments to determine eligibility for respite support, complete duty receiving referrals for the team, and review care packages on an annual basis to ensure they meet the identified outcomes and the young person’s individual needs. You will undertake mental capacity assessments and support children and families in preparing for adulthood. The role involves visiting children and families at home and school, working collaboratively with other professionals, and being part of a supportive, dedicated team committed to improving outcomes and promoting independence.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct holistic assessments of children and young people with disabilities to determine eligibility for respite (short breaks) support.
• Manage duty referrals, screening and assessing whether children meet the criteria for further assessment.
• Complete short breaks review assessments, carers’ assessments and mental capacity assessments in line with statutory requirements.
• Support children and families in preparing for adulthood, promoting independence and positive transitions.
• Visit children and families at home and school, building strong relationships and understanding their needs, gaining the child’s voice.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals across health, education, social care and care providers to deliver coordinated support.
• Ensure children’s needs and outcomes are being met.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to team meetings, ensuring safeguarding and council policies are followed and good practice is maintained.

Key Requirements

• Assessment Skills – experience conducting holistic assessments and providing recommendations and forming a plan.
• Communication and Relationship Building – strong interpersonal skills to build positive relationships with children, families, and professionals, ensuring the child’s voice is heard and outcomes are met.
• Multi-Agency Working – experience working collaboratively with professionals across health, education, social care, and care providers to deliver coordinated support.
• Organisational and Case Management Skills – ability to manage duty referrals and own caseload, maintain accurate records while complying with safeguarding and council policies.

Benefits Package

• 25 days annual leave which increases after 5 and 10 years’ service.
• The option to purchase additional annual leave.
• An attractive LGPS benefit pension scheme with the option to make shared cost additional voluntary contributions.
• Discounted gym membership with Oldham Active.
• Staff discount scheme for shopping, entertainment, eating-out, eating-in, travel, motoring and more.
• Salary sacrifice scheme for home and electronics and Cycle to Work.
• Wellbeing support, including a Mental Health First Aider network and an Employment Assistance Programme that provides 24 hours access to advice and support.
• Staff recognition and celebration events.
• Peer support groups.

Inclusive Recruitment

We work closely with employees to help them work at their best, including making adjustments such as flexible working, describing available working patterns, providing equipment or making changes to the workplace.

Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and therefore expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Eligibility for International Applicants

If you have lived or worked abroad for 3 months or more in the last 5 years or 12 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years whilst aged 18 or over, please refer to this link for details. Unfortunately, at this time we are not able to offer sponsorship.