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.

Working across Prestwich and Sale, you will provide high-quality, compassionate and individualised 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 ideal opportunity for an experienced carer who is passionate about childrens care and wants to continue developing their skills. You will also have the opportunity to support and mentor Band 1 carers, contribute to high standards of care and build trusted relationships with children and their families.

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

The role has a specific working pattern across Prestwich and Sale, including split shifts during term time, school holiday shifts and a weekend rota, so applicants must be able to commit to the required hours.

Job description

Skilled Childrens Play and Health Care Worker Band 2

Role Purpose

The Skilled Childrens Play and Health Care Worker is responsible for delivering high-quality, compassionate and child-centred care to children and young people aged 019 with moderate to complex health and developmental needs.

The role combines personal and health care with play-based interaction, sensory support, learning opportunities and emotional support. You will work closely with children and their families, building positive and trusting relationships and ensuring that care is delivered safely and in accordance with individual care plans, risk assessments, policies and procedures.

As a Band 2 member of the care team, 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, young people and their families, supporting health outcomes, emotional wellbeing and positive care experiences.

Use play, sensory activities, learning opportunities and community-based activities to promote development, confidence, engagement and enjoyment.

Support children with their individual health and care needs in accordance with agreed care plans, risk assessments, training and assessed competencies.

Administer medication safely and accurately in accordance with care plans, training, policy and procedures.

Work independently within agreed care plans, professional boundaries and assessed competencies, taking appropriate initiative while ensuring safe practice.

Recognise and escalate changes in a childs health or wellbeing and report health, safety or safeguarding concerns promptly and appropriately.

Maintain high standards of safeguarding, confidentiality, dignity, respect and professional conduct at all times.

Provide constructive feedback regarding care plans and risk assessments to support timely review and help maintain safe and effective care.

Build professional and collaborative relationships with families, colleagues and other health, social care and education professionals involved in the childs support.

Mentoring and Team Responsibilities

Support and mentor Band 1 carers in their day-to-day responsibilities and professional development.

Lead by example through reliable attendance, professional behaviour, effective communication and high standards of care.

Share knowledge and experience appropriately to help colleagues develop their confidence and competence.

Work collaboratively with the wider care team and contribute positively to service delivery and family experience.

Attend and actively participate in team meetings, supervision and other required meetings.

Record Keeping and Administration

Complete accurate and timely care and visit records.

Complete accident forms, safeguarding reports and other required documentation appropriately and within required timescales.

Maintain accurate records relating to medication administration in accordance with policy and training.

Accurately log attendance, including arrival and departure from visits, in accordance with the rota and organisational procedures.

Complete mileage claims and other relevant administrative requirements accurately and promptly.

Use relevant mobile applications and information technology systems to complete documentation required for the role.

Training and Professional Development

Complete all mandatory online and face-to-face training within required timescales.

Attend regular supervision and maintain the knowledge and competencies required for the role.

Take responsibility for ongoing learning and professional development.

Maintain compliance with organisational policies, safeguarding requirements, health and care standards and relevant regulatory requirements.

Professional Responsibilities

Represent Lagans Foundation professionally and positively when working with children, families, colleagues and external professionals.

Act as an ambassador for Lagans Foundation and demonstrate the organisations values of Passion, Resilience, Integrity and Communication, and Empathy.

Promote equality, diversity and inclusive practice in all aspects of the role.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Demonstrate adaptability, resilience, effective decision-making and a positive approach to delivering high-quality care.

Contribute to the continuous improvement of care standards and service delivery.

Participate in Lagans Foundation events, campaigns and family engagement activities where required.

Working Pattern

The role requires flexibility and commitment to the agreed working pattern across Prestwich and Sale. This includes split shifts during term time, allocated shifts during school holidays and participation in the weekend rota.

While this role is primarily based within the advertised care package, some flexibility is required to maintain contracted hours and meet service needs. This may include supporting other care packages within the local area and providing cover for staff holidays, sickness or changes in service requirements. Any additional locations and working arrangements will be discussed as part of the rota.

The post holder must be able to work independently and as part of a wider team while maintaining reliability, professionalism and continuity of care for the children and families supported by Lagans Foundation.

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

Lagans Foundation is a specialist childrens charity dedicated to supporting children and young people with complex health needs and their families. Our care team works closely with families and other professionals to provide safe, compassionate and individualised support that promotes each childs wellbeing, development and quality of life.

We are a values-led organisation where Passion, Resilience, Integrity and Communication, and Empathy guide the way we care for families and work with one another. We believe in building trusted relationships, supporting our colleagues and creating an environment where people feel valued and able to develop.

Joining Lagans Foundation means becoming part of a team that is committed to making a meaningful difference. We invest in our carers through ongoing training, supervision, mentorship and opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Our benefits include 28 days annual leave pro rata, a pension scheme, Health Cash Plan, Perkbox, unlimited counselling, flexible benefits and salary sacrifice options, alongside ongoing training and emotional support.

We welcome diversity, value individuality and are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.