Skilled Children's Play and Health Care Worker

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.

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.

Job responsibilities
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 Others
As 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 Support
You 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 Administration
You 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 Development
You 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 Responsibilities
You 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 Pattern
This is a permanent, part-time position for 19 contracted hours per week.

The required working pattern is:
Monday to Friday: 6:45am8:45am
Wednesday: 4:00pm8:00pm
Sunday: 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.

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

Our Values
Everyone 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.

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

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.