Community Short Breaks Practitioner
Salary: £26,006.84 per annum, pro rata
Location: Blantyre, South Lanarkshire
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Part Time roles with a range of flexible options — choose from 8, 12, 16 or 20‑hour contracts to fit around your lifestyle, studies or other commitments. Shifts: Evenings, weekends and school holidays.
Benefits
* 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
About the Role
One‑to‑one support to young people aged 5–23, shaping support around their individual needs, interests, personality and strengths. Each young person has a detailed, well‑researched care plan guided by their own voice and choices.
Key duties include: getting out into the community, helping young people try new activities, enjoy everyday activities and explore what they love. Trips may include parks, swimming, bowling, cinema, shopping, travel by bus or train, café, club and museum visits.
Also spend time at the Community Hub, running small group activities such as arts and crafts, group games and sessions that build life skills. Support children to understand boundaries, relationships and positive behaviour, ensuring fun. Manage occasional challenging behaviour in a calm, patient, compassionate manner.
Responsibilities
* 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.
Qualifications
* 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 demanding moments.
* A Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare (or an equivalent qualification). If not yet obtained, willingness to complete within two years of joining, with full support provided.
Diversity, equality and inclusion
We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under‑represented within Action for Children.
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