Short Break Lead for Disabled Children & Families

Reading Borough Council; Reading; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holidays

Flexible working

Modern Civic Offices

Life Assurance

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking a dedicated Short Break Worker within the Children and Young People with Disabilities Team to support children and families, coordinate short break services and improve outcomes.

You will assess needs, chair multi-agency meetings, and ensure services remain outcomes-focused while coordinating with schools, health services and social care. This role emphasises safeguarding and accurate record-keeping.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent educational qualification.
• Experience with children and families in paid or voluntary capacity.
• Experience in safeguarding environments and with complex needs.
• Experience completing assessments, plans and reviews.
• Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to manage a varied caseload and coordinate multi-agency support.
• Proficiency with IT systems including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of children and families receiving short break services.
• Assess needs and review support plans to ensure effectiveness and outcomes.
• Support families to access direct payments, managed accounts, personal assistants and short break opportunities.
• Organise and chair CIN and multi-agency meetings.
• Present cases to CYPD Resource and Short Breaks Panels.
• Collaborate with schools, health services, social care and voluntary organisations.
• Ensure children's voices and wishes are reflected in plans and interventions.
• Maintain accurate case records and contribute to quality assurance processes.
• Identify safeguarding concerns and take appropriate action.

Skills

Caseload management

Safeguarding

Communication

Multi-agency collaboration

Planning & reviews

Relationship building

IT systems

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 within the Children and Young People with Disabilities Team to support children and families, coordinate short break services and improve outcomes.

You will assess needs, chair multi-agency meetings, and ensure services remain outcomes-focused while coordinating with schools, health services and social care. This role emphasises safeguarding and accurate record-keeping.