Support Worker

City of York Council; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

City of York Council is recruiting a Support Worker for our Short Breaks service in York. You will support children and young people with disabilities, delivering direct care and contributing to development plans within a flexible, innovative centre.

Full induction, supervision and ongoing training are provided. A Level 3 childcare qualification is preferred or you can work towards it; car drivers are desirable but not essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in social care and a passion for supporting children’s development.
• Experience with children with disabilities is preferred but not essential; training provided.

Responsibilities

• Provide support and direct care to children and young people.
• Contribute to placement plans, risk assessments and positive behaviour support plans.
• Participate in induction, supervision and ongoing training.

Skills

Experience with children with disabil​

Education

Level 3 childcare qualification (or working towards)

Job description

The short breaks service for children with disabilities within the City of York have an exciting opportunity for support workers to join our short breaks team in York.

The service is based within a purpose-built centre for children with disabilities, which ensures services are innovative, flexible and integrated.

Our Short Breaks offer provides a variety of short break packages including community and residential short breaks provisions for children and young people with autism, challenging behaviours, learning disabilities and/or additional and complex health needs.

Whilst experience of working with children with disabilities is preferred, it is not essential as training and support will be provided. Experience in social care, enthusiasm, and a passion for working with children to support their development is essential.

The role of a support worker is an invaluable one. It is varied, rewarding, complex and challenging. You will play an essential role in providing support and direct care to children and young people. This will also include contributing to and supporting the development of placement plans, risk assessments and positive behaviour support plans.

You will be supported by a senior team, have a thorough induction into your role as well as opportunities for supervision, training and development to support the work that you do.

You will be required to study towards a level 3 childcare qualification if you do not already have one. Car drivers are desirable but not essential.

The service works on a 4-week rolling rota and you will be required to a variety of early and late shifts and work on a weekend on-weekend off basis.

The Council is committed to investing in the talent and wellbeing of our staff and can offer a generous annual leave allowance, access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, comprehensive Health & Wellbeing initiatives and a reward package which recognises your contribution. We can offer flexible working practices, community engagement and volunteer activities and, as part of our commitment to you, promote continuous Learning & Development. In addition we also offer a growing range of discounts, rewards and savings.

City of York Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. We require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced Criminal Record check via the Disclosure and Barring Service.

As this role is public facing, applicants will need to demonstrate, at interview, their competency to converse and provide advice and guidance to members of the public, in spoken English to CEFR level C1: Can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, almost effortlessly. Only a conceptually difficult subject can hinder a natural, smooth flow of language.

Closing date: Sunday 6 September 2026

Interview date: Friday 18 September 2026