Community Short Breaks Practitioner

Community Short Breaks Practitioner

Salary: £26,006.84 per annum, pro rata

Location:

Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

Contract/

Hours:

Permanent / We have a range of hours to offer from 8 - 37 hour contracts to fit around your lifestyle, studies or other commitments.

Shifts:

Evenings, weekends and school holidays

Closing date for applications is midnight of Sunday 20th September

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
• As part of our commitment to staff wellbeing, you’ll receive a paid annual Wellbeing Day to use however you choose, supporting a healthy balance between work and life.

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

In this role, you’ll provide one-to-one support to young people aged 5-23. Every child is unique, so your support will be shaped around their individual needs, interests, personality and strengths. Each young person has a detailed, well-researched care plan that is guided by their own voice and choices.

A key part of the role involves getting out into the community with the young people—helping them try new things, enjoy everyday activities, and explore what they love. This could include trips to parks, swimming, bowling, the cinema, shopping, travelling by bus or train, or visiting cafés, clubs and museums.

You’ll also spend time at our Community Hub, running small group activities such as arts and crafts, group games, or sessions that help build life skills. You’ll support children to understand boundaries, relationships and positive behaviour, while ensuring they have plenty of fun. Some young people may display challenging behaviour at times, so we’re looking for someone calm, patient, understanding and compassionate—someone who can be a steady, positive role model.

Silverton’s Community Hub is an exciting project that builds on the success of our residential service in Hamilton. Our mission is to support families who have a child with a disability, helping each young person feel included in their community, enjoy the simple joys of childhood, and grow in confidence. At the same time, we work alongside families to strengthen their resilience and help them feel more able to manage the everyday challenges of caring.

Demand for our service is high, and we offer support across all seven days of the week, with additional hours often available.

Service operating time:
Monday & Tuesday - 9.30-7pm, Wednesday 12-8.30pm, Thursday 9-8.30pm, Friday 9-8pm, Saturday 9.30-8pm and Sunday 9.30-5.30pm.

Some key responsibilities of a Community Short Breaks Practitioner role are;

• Supporting young people with a learning disability to feel included, valued and visible within their community.
• Providing practical and emotional support, including personal care, while helping to maintain a clean, safe and nurturing environment.
• Encouraging young people to learn, explore and have fun in safe, supportive settings.
• Creating spaces where they can relax, spend time with friends and enjoy themselves.
• Helping each young person build towards a positive, confident and fulfilling future.
• Supporting in all areas of daily life, promoting their wellbeing, health and happiness.

• Experience working in a care setting, with the ability to build positive, trusting relationships.
• Confidence using a range of communication approaches to engage effectively with young people and their families.
• A calm, solution focused approach when facing challenges, both independently and as part of a supportive team.
• Emotional resilience and the ability to remain steady, patient and encouraging during the more demanding moments of the role.
• A Level 3…