Skilled Children's Play and Health Care Worker

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

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification, or currently working towards this qualification
• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with children, families, colleagues and professionals
• Good understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and professional boundaries, with the confidence to recognise and escalate concerns appropriately
• Full UK driving licence and access to own vehicle with appropriate business-use insurance, with the ability to commit to the required working pattern

Desirable

• Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification, or currently working towards this qualification
• Good knowledge and understanding of Care Quality Commission standards and requirements
• Ability to support, encourage and mentor less experienced carers
• Confident use of digital systems, mobile applications and information technology relevant to care documentation
• Evidence of commitment to ongoing learning, professional development and continuous improvement of care standards

Experience

Essential

• A minimum of 12 months experience working in paediatric or complex care
• Experience of providing personal care to children or young people while maintaining dignity, privacy and respect
• Experience of supporting children or young people with PEG feeding, oxygen therapy or epilepsy care
• Experience of working shifts and providing reliable, consistent care in accordance with agreed rotas

Experience of working within individual care plans and following appropriate health, safeguarding and care procedures

About the employer

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.