Lead Short Break Worker – Child & Family Support

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Flexible working opportunities

LGPS

Life Assurance

On-site day nursery Kennet Day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking a dedicated Short Break Worker to join the Children and Young People with Disabilities Team. The role supports children and families to access short break services, working with partners to improve outcomes.

You will join a committed team focused on safeguarding, advocacy, and delivering person-centred support that makes a real difference to family life in Reading.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3, A Levels or equivalent.
• Experience working with children and young people.
• Experience with families, parents and carers.
• Experience within safeguarding environments and supporting children with complex needs or disabilities.
• Experience completing assessments, plans and reviews.
• Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and coordinate multi-agency support.
• Confidence using IT systems, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• A resilient, creative and solution-focused approach to supporting families.

Responsibilities

• Managing a caseload of children and families receiving short break services.
• Assessing needs and reviewing support plans to ensure services remain effective and outcome-focused.
• Supporting families to access direct payments, managed accounts, personal assistants and short break opportunities.
• Organising and chairing Child in Need (CIN) and multi-agency meetings.
• Presenting cases to CYPD Resource and Short Breaks Panels.
• Working collaboratively with schools, health services, social care teams and voluntary organisations.
• Ensuring children's voices, wishes and feelings are heard and reflected in all plans and interventions.
• Maintaining accurate case records and contributing to quality assurance processes.
• Identifying safeguarding concerns and taking appropriate action to protect children and young people.

Education

NVQ Level 3, A Levels or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management systems

Job description

Reading Borough Council is seeking a dedicated Short Break Worker to join the Children and Young People with Disabilities Team. The role supports children and families to access short break services, working with partners to improve outcomes.

You will join a committed team focused on safeguarding, advocacy, and delivering person-centred support that makes a real difference to family life in Reading.