Skilled Children's Play and Health Care WorkerNHS

Job summary

Join Lagans Foundation as a Skilled Childrens Play and Health Care Worker and help make a meaningful difference to children and young people with moderate to complex health and developmental needs.

Based in Salford, you will provide high-quality, compassionate and child-centred care to children and young people aged 019. You will combine personal care with play-based learning, emotional support and meaningful engagement, helping each child to develop confidence, experience enjoyment and achieve the best possible outcomes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced carer who is passionate about supporting children and wants to continue developing their skills. You will also support and mentor Band 1 carers, build trusted relationships with families and contribute to maintaining high standards of care.

At Lagans Foundation, great care is about more than completing tasks. It is about building connections, creating positive experiences and making every interaction count.

This is a permanent, part-time role for 19 contracted hours per week. Applicants must be able to commit to the full working pattern, including early morning weekday shifts, Wednesday evening and Sunday working.

Main duties of the job

Join Lagans Foundation as a Skilled Childrens Play and Health Care Worker and help make a meaningful difference to children and young people with moderate to complex health and developmental needs.

Based in Salford, you will provide high-quality, compassionate and child-centred care to children and young people aged 019. You will combine personal care with play-based learning, emotional support and meaningful engagement, helping each child to develop confidence, experience enjoyment and achieve the best possible outcomes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced carer who is passionate about supporting children and wants to continue developing their skills. You will also support and mentor Band 1 carers, build trusted relationships with families and contribute to maintaining high standards of care.

At Lagans Foundation, great care is about more than completing tasks. It is about building connections, creating positive experiences and making every interaction count.

This is a permanent, part-time role for 19 contracted hours per week. Applicants must be able to commit to the full working pattern, including early morning weekday shifts, Wednesday evening and Sunday working.

Job description

As a Skilled Childrens Play and Health Care Worker, you will be part of Lagans Foundations specialist care team, providing high-quality, compassionate and child-centred care to children and young people aged 019 with moderate to complex health and developmental needs.

You will combine personal care with play-based interaction, sensory support, learning opportunities and emotional support. You will work closely with children and their families to build positive, trusting relationships and create care experiences that promote wellbeing, development, confidence and enjoyment.

As a Band 2 carer, you will work independently within agreed care plans, your training and professional boundaries. You will also support and mentor Band 1 carers, lead by example and contribute to the continuous improvement of care quality and family experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality personal, health and play-based care to children and young people with moderate to complex care needs.
• Develop positive and trusting relationships with children and families, supporting health outcomes and emotional wellbeing.
• Use play, sensory activities, learning opportunities and meaningful engagement to support each childs development and wellbeing.
• Deliver care in accordance with individual care plans, risk assessments, training and agreed competencies.
• Work independently within care plans and professional boundaries, taking appropriate initiative while remaining within the requirements of the role.
• Recognise and appropriately escalate safeguarding, health, wellbeing or safety concerns.
• Maintain dignity, privacy, confidentiality and professional boundaries when supporting children and families.
• Provide constructive feedback where changes or improvements to care plans and risk assessments may be required.
• Work collaboratively with families, colleagues and other professionals involved in the childs care.
• Maintain compliance with organisational policies, safeguarding requirements, training and care standards.

Supporting and Mentoring OthersAs an experienced member of the care team, you will:

• Support and mentor Band 1 carers in their daily responsibilities and professional conduct.
• Lead by example, demonstrating reliability, professionalism and positive working practices.
• Share knowledge and encourage colleagues to develop their confidence and competence.
• Contribute positively to team working, service delivery and the experience of children and families.
• Attend and participate in team meetings and regular supervision.

Medication and Health SupportYou will administer medication and provide health-related support in accordance with each childs care plan, your completed training and Lagans Foundation policies and procedures.

You will be expected to work within your assessed competencies and promptly report or escalate concerns or changes in a childs health and wellbeing.

Record Keeping and AdministrationYou will be responsible for maintaining accurate and timely records relating to the care you provide. This includes:

• Completing visit and care records accurately and promptly.
• Completing accident, incident and safeguarding documentation where required.
• Maintaining accurate medication administration records in accordance with policy and training.
• Logging in and out of visits accurately and in accordance with the agreed rota and organisational procedures.
• Providing feedback on care plans and risk assessments to support timely review and help maintain the safety of children and carers.
• Completing mileage claims and other relevant administrative documentation where applicable.
• Using mobile applications and information technology systems relevant to the role.

Training and DevelopmentYou will be expected to:

• Complete all required online and face-to-face training.
• Attend regular face-to-face supervision with your supervisor.
• Participate in team meetings, both face-to-face and online, as required.
• Maintain and develop the knowledge, skills and competencies required for your role.
• Take responsibility for ongoing learning and professional development.
• Maintain compliance with safeguarding, health and care standards and organisational policies.

Lagans Foundation provides a comprehensive induction and training programme, including mentorship, supervision and formal assessment, to support you in developing and maintaining the professional behaviours and competencies required for the role.

Professional ResponsibilitiesYou will:

• Represent Lagans Foundation professionally and positively when working with children, families, colleagues and external professionals.
• Demonstrate Lagans Foundations values of Passion, Resilience, Integrity and Communication, and Empathy in your work.
• Promote equality, diversity and inclusive practice.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
• Demonstrate adaptability, resilience and confident decision-making.
• Take responsibility for raising concerns appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of care standards and family experiences.
• Support and participate in Lagans Foundation events, campaigns and family engagement activities where appropriate.

Working PatternThis is a permanent, part-time position for 19 contracted hours per week.

The required working pattern is:

Monday to Friday: 6:45am8:45amWednesday: 4:00pm8:00pmSunday: 11:00am4:00pm

Applicants must be able to commit to the full working pattern on an ongoing basis, including early morning weekday shifts and Sunday working.

The role requires reliability, flexibility and consistency to ensure continuity of care for the children and families we support.

Our ValuesEveryone at Lagans Foundation is expected to demonstrate our core values:

Passion Deliver heartfelt care and strive to make a positive difference every day.

Resilience Remain adaptable, confident and determined when challenges arise.

Integrity and Communication Be honest, professional and clear in everything you say and do.

Empathy Understand, support and care for others with kindness and respect.

About us

As a Skilled Childrens Play and Health Care Worker, you will provide compassionate, child-centred support to children and young people with moderate to complex health and developmental needs.

You will combine personal care with play, learning and emotional support, adapting your approach to each child and helping them to feel safe, confident and engaged. You will build positive and trusted relationships with children and their families, providing consistent support that promotes wellbeing, development and enjoyment.

You will work confidently within individual care plans, maintain accurate and timely care records, and recognise and escalate any health or safeguarding concerns appropriately.

As an experienced member of the care team, you will also support and mentor Band 1 carers, sharing good practice and helping to maintain high standards of care.

You will work collaboratively with families, colleagues and other professionals, while attending required training, supervision and team meetings to maintain and develop your skills.