Disability leader - short breaks

Job Overview

Description Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential, with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage. You will be responsible for overseeing the smooth running of our sessions and leading the staff team, ensuring high‑quality, person‑centred care, children’s safety, wellbeing and positive development.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the day‑to‑day running of Children and Young People’s services, ensuring high‑quality, safe, and appropriate provision.
• Act as the responsible person in charge when the Coordinator/Manager/Duty Officer is unavailable and provide annual leave cover for the coordinator as needed.
• Lead, support, coach and supervise a team of Disability Play & Youth Workers and volunteers, providing guidance and ensuring they know when to seek further support.
• Prepare and manage session planning documents, staff allocations, daily logs, and lunch/toileting rotas.
• Support Disability Play & Youth Workers to meet the needs of the Children and Young People, including managing distress behaviours, sensory engagement and intensive interaction.
• Lead on trips to ensure they are run smoothly, safely and ensure all Disability Play & Youth Workers are following risk assessments, policies and procedures to ensure all children and young people are safe.
• Ensure high‑quality, person‑centred support is provided to children and young people with disabilities and complex needs, following and understanding care plans, behaviour support plans, and risk assessments.
• Oversee and provide personal care, always ensuring hygiene, privacy, dignity and appropriate recording.
• Manage and record medication in accordance with procedures, administer where necessary after appropriate training.
• Support children/young people with eating and drinking as outlined within their care plan and guidelines.
• Assist and supervise moving and handling children/young people with restricted mobility, including hoisting and use of mobility equipment, after appropriate training.
• Implement and ensure regular use of aids to support communication and sensory impairment needs.
• Provide high level of diligence and surveillance for all children/young people, including personal hygiene, behaviour, nutrition, sensory and play needs, feeding back any new observations to the coordinator.
• Contribute to planning, organising, and overseeing the delivery of activities, ensuring adaptability and accessibility for all children and young people.
• Lead children/young people through structured programs of play, social, recreational and leisure activities.
• Ensure children and young people are welcomed on arrival, feel valued and experience positive opportunities that build self‑esteem and confidence.
• Support children/young people to engage in activities, helping them achieve desired outcomes.
• Ensure the smooth running of sessions, including preparation, set‑up, pack‑down and maintenance of resources, informing the coordinator if extra resources are required.
• Collect CYP feedback and evaluation records in sessions as directed.
• Ensure health, safety and wellbeing of children, young people and colleagues, following safeguarding policies and organisational procedures.
• Provide and supervise refreshments, considering balanced diets, cultural/ethnic needs, allergies and food safety principles.
• Supervise the environment to ensure physical and emotional safety of all children and young people.
• Supervise activity environments, completing risk assessments and accurate records of accidents, injuries, incidents, medication administration and health and safety concerns.
• Maintain equipment and service spaces, ensuring they are stored appropriately.
• Ensure all children/young people eat, drink, stay hydrated and meet toileting needs.
• Lead and work as part of a team to ensure high‑quality service delivery, building positive and professional relationships with children, young people and colleagues.
• Greet parents/carers and communicate effectively, providing feedback on their child’s day and sharing relevant updates.
• Support promotional activities, including taking photos for marketing and fundraising purposes.
• Gather and evidence children’s choices and feedback to inform planning.
• Work collaboratively with coordinators/managers to meet attendance targets and service objectives.
• Attend staff meetings, training and development events to maintain required knowledge and skills.
• Undertake other duties reasonably requested by senior staff to support the smooth running of the service.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

• First Aid qualification or willingness to undertake this.
• Introduction to safeguarding children and safeguarding adults or willingness to undertake.
• Child Care/Youth Work Level 2 / 3 or equivalent qualification (or working towards).

Knowledge and Experience

• Communicates clearly and appropriately for different audiences, using inclusive language and adapting communication style based on feedback.
• Builds and maintains positive, professional relationships with children, families, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Positive, proactive attitude, works independently and as a team and uses initiative.
• Commitment to the wellbeing and positive development of children and young people, ensuring the child's needs are the highest priority and maintains safe working practices.
• Handles sensitive information confidentially.
• Escalates issues appropriately and seeks collaborative solutions.
• Collab​orates effectively within a diverse team, values different perspectives and contributes to a positive and inclusive working environment.

Key Skills and Attributes

• Builds and maintains positive, professional relationships with children, families, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Positive, proactive attitude, works independently and as a team and uses initiative.
• Commitment to the wellbeing and positive development of children and young people, ensuring the child's needs are the highest priority.
• Organises work efficiently and seeks support where needed.

Personal Attributes

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work and understanding of how it applies to own role.
• Values collaboration and respect for different perspectives.
• Open to learning and continuous development.

Other

• Ability to travel to other venues as required for the role; reasonable adjustments and alternative arrangements will be considered.
• Flexibility to occasionally work outside standard hours, including evenings and to undertake overnight stays, when necessary, with advance notice and support provided.

Pay

£16.08 per hour

Hours

9am – 3.30pm (including 30m unpaid break), 40 days per year in school holiday periods only. Part‑time hours available.

Benefits

• Be part of a long‑standing and well‑respected charity.
• Discounted childcare for permanent employees.
• Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees.
• Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• 6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service.
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• On‑site parking.

Equal Opportunities Statement

Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.