Are you passionate about supporting children with disabilities and their families? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you!
We are currently seeking a dedicated and compassionate Key Worker to join our Short Breaks Team within the Children with Disabilities Service. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of children with complex needs and their families.
Working as part of the Children with Disabilities, Transition to Adulthood team, you will provide practical, person-centred support to children with disabilities and their families, helping them access the right services, maintain effective care packages and improve outcomes. You will work closely with families, schools, health professionals and partner agencies to ensure children receive the support they need to thrive.
You will
- Review and monitor care packages to ensure they continue to meet children's assessed needs.
- Support children with complex disabilities and their families through regular contact and tailored interventions.
- Help minimise the impact of a child's significant needs on family life by providing practical advice, guidance and support.
- Manage a caseload and maintain regular, meaningful contact with children, families and professionals.
- Undertake home visits and build positive relationships with children and their families.
- Work collaboratively with schools, health services and partner agencies to secure positive outcomes.
- Maintain accurate case records and contribute to assessments, reviews and care planning.
- Promote safeguarding and ensure the welfare of children is at the centre of all practice.
- Contribute to a supportive, collaborative team environment focused on delivering high-quality services.
About You
We are looking for someone who is passionate about improving the lives of children with disabilities and supporting families to achieve positive outcomes.
You will have:
- A qualification in Health, Child Care, Education or an equivalent relevant qualification.
- Experience working with children and families, ideally including children with disabilities.
- Experience supporting children with substantial physical, sensory or learning disabilities, severe autism or life-limiting conditions.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures.
- The ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.
- Strong communication, organisational and case management skills.
- A proactive, compassionate and solution-focused approach.
- The ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team.
- The ability to develop and maintain effective networks within the Council and with partner organisations to enhance support for children and families.
- A commitment to continuous professional development and delivering high-quality, person-centred services.
What We Offer
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children with disabilities and their families.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Ongoing training, learning and professional development opportunities.
- The opportunity to work alongside a wide range of experienced professionals across education, health and social care.
- A rewarding role where no two days are the same.
Why Hillingdon?
At Hillingdon, we're proud of our commitment to Putting Our Residents First, ensuring residents remain at the heart of everything we do.
As London's second largest borough, we are committed to delivering high-quality services that support children, young people and families to achieve the best possible outcomes. When you join our Children with Disabilities Service, you'll become part of a dedicated team that works together to provide compassionate, innovative and person-centred support for some of the borough's most vulnerable children and their families.
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
- Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:
- Enhanced DBS Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
