Children Services Short Breaks - Team Leader in Norwich

Make a Real Difference to Children with Disabilities and Complex Needs

Working closely with the Short Breaks Manager you will play a key role in coordinating the day, planning and delivering meaningful, engaging and fun Short Break activities. You'll guide and support staff to create positive experiences and lasting outcomes for children, young people, and their families.

Are you passionate about helping children who need extra support to communicate, play, learn, and thrive?

You’ll be part of a warm, highly supportive team where creativity, patience, specialist care, and play-based learning go hand in hand.

And above all — you must be willing to play, get messy, let your hair down, and have fun!

What You’ll Need

• A genuine passion for supporting children with disabilities, additional needs, and developmental differences.
• A caring, patient, and positive approach with the ability to build strong relationships with children and families.
• Confidence working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Willingness to undertake specialist medical training including enteral feeding, epilepsy support, and manual handling.
• Flexibility, creativity, resilience, and a sense of fun!

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• The opportunity to make a profound difference to children and families every single day.
• The joy of seeing children achieve things others may have thought impossible.
• Specialist training and ongoing support to build your confidence and expertise in disability-focused early years practice.
• A warm, close-knit team who value kindness, teamwork, inclusion, and laughter.
• A rewarding role where no two days are ever the same.

If you’re looking for meaningful work where compassion, play, and specialist support come together, we’d love to hear from you.

Safeguarding Statement

The Hamlet is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and at-risk adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will find our full Safeguarding Policy as part of our application pack to read before completing your application.

We are committed to ensuring that all aspects of recruitment reflect this. Short listed candidates will be invited to a two-part Warner and role related interview.

Post:

Post: Short Breaks Team Leader

Based at: The Hamlet Children's Centre

36 hours per week | Tuesday to Saturday

Job share applications welcome

• Week 1: 2 set working days per week (Tuesday to Friday)
• Week 2: The same set working days as Week 1, plus Saturday as a third working day

Salary:
Starting annual salary (36 hours, term-time only): £25,047.36
Hourly rate: £13.38

Closing date: 22nd August 2026

Please note that we reserve the right to close the vacancy before the stated closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged.

Interviews: Week Commencing 25th August 2026

Purpose and Scope of the Role

The Hamlet supports children and young people with disabilities and complex health needs, providing high-quality short break opportunities that enable them to enjoy positive experiences, develop skills, build friendships and achieve their potential, while providing valuable respite for families.

The Short Break Team Leader will coordinate and lead engaging, inclusive and person-centered activities for children and young people aged 5–17 years. The postholder will provide day-to-day leadership during sessions, ensuring activities are safe, well organised and adapted to meet individual needs. Working closely with children, families and colleagues, the Team Leader will promote confidence, independence, wellbeing, social inclusion and personal development.

Responsibilities include:

Activity Planning and Delivery

• Plan, deliver and evaluate a varied programme of stimulating and inclusive activities.
• Adapt activities to meet individual physical, sensory, communication and learning needs.
• Support children and young people to develop skills, confidence, independence and friendships.
• Organise activities both at The Hamlet and within the wider community.
• Ensure resources and equipment are prepared and used appropriately.
• Gather feedback from children, families and colleagues to improve future activities.
• Develop links with community organisations to increase opportunities for participation and inclusion.

Leadership and Team Support

• Lead the effective day-to-day delivery of short break sessions.
• Provide guidance, support and mentoring to Support Workers, volunteers and students.
• Share knowledge, expertise and best practice to support colleagues in their roles and promote high-quality service delivery.
• Promote consistency, good practice and a positive team culture.
• Support the Short Break Manager to lead team briefings, debriefings and reflective practice discussions.
• Participate in meetings, training and service improvement activities.
• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with children and young people.
• Working with a range of children and young people with complex health needs, disabilities and behaviours that challenge
• Deliver person-centered support based on individual needs, interests and aspirations.
• Contribute to the development and follow individual support plans, risk assessments and agreed support strategies.
• Promote choice, independence, self-esteem and social development.
• Support access to community activities and opportunities.
• Recognise and celebrate achievements and positive outcomes.
• Provide support with eating, drinking and personal care where required.
• Lead the day-to-day delivery of short break sessions and activities.
• Ensure sessions are organised, engaging, safe and run effectively.
• Act as a positive role model and promote child-centered, inclusive practice.
• Provide guidance, advice and practical support to Support Workers, volunteers and students during sessions.
• Support colleagues to understand and follow individual support plans, activity plans and risk assessments.
• Share knowledge, skills and good practice to support consistent, high-quality service delivery.
• Support new staff, volunteers and students to become familiar with the service, routines and activities.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings, training and service development activities.
• Work closely with the Short Break Manager to ensure the service is delivered effectively and achieves positive outcomes for children and young people.

Family and Partnership Working

• Develop positive relationships with parents, carers and professionals.
• Attend Children in Need and Team Around the Child meetings as required.
• Communicate effectively with families regarding participation, progress and significant events.
• Work collaboratively with professionals and partner organisations to support positive outcomes.
• Build community partnerships that enhance opportunities for children and young people.

Safeguarding, Health and Safety

• Place safeguarding at the centre of all practice.
• Promote the welfare, dignity, rights and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Complete and review risk assessments for activities, outings and environments.

  Administration and Record Keeping

  • Maintain accurate records, support plans and risk assessments.
  • Complete required documentation within agreed timescales.
  • Use IT systems effectively to record participation, achievements and outcomes.
  • Contribute to service monitoring, evaluation and improvement.

  General Responsibilities

  • Act as a positive ambassador for The Hamlet.
  • Promote inclusion, equality, dignity and person-centered practice.
  • Attend mandatory training and continuing professional development.
  • Undertake additional duties consistent with the role.

  Supporting our Safeguarding Commitment:

  You will be required to hold a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and have supplied at least 2 satisfactory references before starting work. Any conviction or adverse report relating to care, children, at risk adults, or dishonesty would make a candidate unsuitable for this role.