Direct Payment Worker

East Riding of Yorkshire Council; Cherry Burton; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Job summary

East Riding of Yorkshire Council is seeking a Direct Payment Worker to provide one-to-one support for a child with complex needs in home and community settings.

You will help the child access meaningful activities, assist with mobility and transfers, and follow safety protocols. DBS clearance will be required and cost met by the local authority.

Qualifications

• Be conscientious and committed to providing support as necessary for the child.
• Be patient, caring and understanding.
• Be able to build a positive relationship with the child to both encourage and support them.
• Be flexible to meet the needs of the family.
• Have knowledge of working with or supporting a child with special needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide one‑to‑one support to a child with complex needs in the home and community.
• Support the child to access enjoyable, meaningful, and age‑appropriate activities.
• Assist with all aspects of mobility, including lifting, transfers, positioning, and use of specialist equipment.
• Follow safe moving and handling procedures and therapy guidance at all times.
• Support communication by observing, understanding, and responding to the child’s non‑verbal cues.
• Provide close supervision to ensure safety, including during seizure activity.
• Remain calm, attentive, and responsive at all times, particularly during activities outside the home.
• Support sensory play, interactive games, and play‑based learning activities.
• Assist with activities such as swimming, outdoor walks using a buggy, and community outings.
• Support access to inclusive community opportunities such as sensory spaces or local groups.
• Work flexibly, including participation in 2:1 support when required for certain activities.
• Adapt activities to meet the child’s physical, sensory, and communication needs.
• Build a positive, trusting relationship with the child through patience, engagement, and consistency.
• Promote the child’s comfort, wellbeing, and enjoyment during all activities.
• Communicate effectively with the family and follow agreed routines and care plans.
• Provide reassurance and respite for the family through reliable and professional support.

Skills

Patience

Caring

Understanding

Flexibility

Special needs knowledge

Job description

This is an external vacancy and is not employment with East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

4 hours term time, 12 hours in school holidays

Duties and Resposibilites:

• Provide one‑to‑one support to a child with complex needs in the home and community.
• Support the child to access enjoyable, meaningful, and age‑appropriate activities.
• Assist with all aspects of mobility, including lifting, transfers, positioning, and use of specialist equipment.
• Follow safe moving and handling procedures and therapy guidance at all times.
• Support communication by observing, understanding, and responding to the child’s non‑verbal cues.
• Provide close supervision to ensure safety, including during seizure activity.
• Remain calm, attentive, and responsive at all times, particularly during activities outside the home.
• Support sensory play, interactive games, and play‑based learning activities.
• Assist with activities such as swimming, outdoor walks using a buggy, and community outings.
• Support access to inclusive community opportunities such as sensory spaces or local groups.
• Work flexibly, including participation in 2:1 support when required for certain activities.
• Adapt activities to meet the child’s physical, sensory, and communication needs.
• Build a positive, trusting relationship with the child through patience, engagement, and consistency.
• Promote the child’s comfort, wellbeing, and enjoyment during all activities.
• Communicate effectively with the family and follow agreed routines and care plans.
• Provide reassurance and respite for the family through reliable and professional support.

About the candidate

The suitable candidate must:

• Be conscientious and committed to providing support as necessary for the child.
• Be patient, caring and understanding.
• Be able to build a positive relationship with the child to both encourage and support them.
• Be flexible to meet the needs of the family.
• Have knowledge of working with or supporting a child with special needs.

DBS/Reference checks will be required for this post – Cost to be met by the local authority.

PLEASE NOTE – SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS TO THIS ROLE WOULD NOT BE EMPLOYED BY EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

Children and Young People, Specialist Services Direct Payments is an in-house service provided by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council to support families of Children and Young People with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to fulfil their potential and aspirations.

Whilst caring experience is always useful, you don’t necessarily need to have worked in care to be a great Direct Payment Worker, the right attitude and a person-centred approach is more important.

Travel

Some travel across East Riding of Yorkshire may be required, applicants must be able to transport themselves.

DBS/Medical check

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS clearance check.

Direct Payment Worker