Short Breaks Practitioner

CRA Group Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A social care service provider is seeking a Short Breaks Practitioner to provide high-quality assessments and support for children with severe disabilities. The role involves managing complex caseloads, ensuring coordinated care across education, health, and social services, and promoting children's independence and wellbeing. Ideal candidates will have experience in multi-cultural communities, a strong understanding of SEND legislation, and excellent communication skills. This position offers an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Qualifications

• Experience with multi-cultural communities supporting children.
• Strong understanding of SEND legislation and related processes.
• Ability to identify and respond to safeguarding risks.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality assessments for children with disabilities.
• Support families and ensure coordinated care.
• Manage a complex caseload and collaborate with agencies.

Skills

Experience supporting children and young people with disabilities

Strong understanding of challenges faced by families

Excellent communication skills

Strong organisational skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Job description

Responsibilities

• The Short Breaks Practitioner (CYPDS 0-25) provides high-quality, strengths-based assessments and reviews of short break social care packages for children and young people with severe to profound disabilities and/or complex health needs.
• The role supports families, ensures coordinated care across education, health and social care, and promotes the child's voice, independence, wellbeing and long-term outcomes.
• Working as part of the Children and Young People's Disability Service (0-25), the practitioner manages a complex caseload, collaborates with partner agencies, and contributes to integrated, person-centred service delivery., Act as lead professional and care coordinator for a caseload of disabled children aged 0-18 with complex needs.
• Undertake analytical, person-centred assessments and reviews of short break packages and social care support.
• Regularly visit and assess children in their homes as part of a multi-disciplinary approach.
• Provide advice to families on services, support, benefits and entitlements, signposting where necessary.
• Facilitate the child's voice, capturing their wishes, experiences and outcomes to inform planning and service development.
• Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary partners, attending network meetings, EHCP reviews and care planning meetings.
• Identify changing needs, prepare reports for panels, attend panels and implement agreed actions.
• Ensure coordinated delivery of education, health and social care support in line with EHCP objectives.
• Promote independence, resilience, health and wellbeing for children and families.
• Maintain accurate case files, records, reports and documentation in line with departmental procedures.
• Contribute to service development, integrated working and the promotion of equal access for diverse, multicultural communities.
• Support the transition process, including Preparation for Adulthood from Year 9 onwards.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting children and young people with disabilities and their families, ideally within multi-cultural communities.
• Strong understanding of challenges faced by families in socially deprived areas and the specific needs of disabled children.
• Knowledge of the Children Act 1989, Children and Families Act 2014, SEND legislation and EHCP processes.
• Understanding of factors affecting child and family outcomes (development, attachment, resilience, parental capacity, risk factors).
• Experience completing assessments, designing care or transition plans, and reviewing/monitoring plans over time.
• Ability to identify and respond to safeguarding risks and elevate concerns appropriately.
• Strong partnership working with health, education, social care and voluntary-sector professionals.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to build strong, trusted relationships.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage caseloads, meet deadlines and prioritise effectively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and relevant case management/IT systems.
• Resourceful, innovative, open to learning and committed to continuous improvement.
• Ability to engage children, young people and families in decision-making and promote independence.