Calling all compassionate and dedicated individuals! Mencap is seeking passionate Relief Early Year Assistants to join our incredible Early Years team in Belfast.
Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of young children with a learning disability?
This role is relief basic. An Enhanced AccessNI check and Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT) checks are mandatory for this position.
Our specialist Early Years provision delivers a programme of play, care and education for children aged 2–5 years with significant developmental delay and/or complex medical needs. Working as part of a skilled multidisciplinary team, you'll help create a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child has the opportunity to learn, develop and reach their full potential.
What will you do as an Early Years Assistant?
As part of our Early Years team, you will:
- Support the delivery of stimulating, caring and therapeutic play within an educational environment.
- Work alongside our multidisciplinary team, external professionals and Family Support team to provide high-quality care, learning through play and therapeutic opportunities.
- Create a safe, engaging and inclusive environment that promotes each child's development, wellbeing and independence.
- Build positive relationships with children and their families, supporting every child to achieve the best possible outcomes.
- Assist with planning activities, observing children's progress and maintaining children's records in line with agreed care and learning plans.
- Follow individual therapy programmes under the guidance of Allied Health Professionals.
- Support children with personal care and, following appropriate training, assist with complex medical needs where required.
- Promote safeguarding, equality, health and safety and Mencap's values in everything you do.
What are we looking for?
We're looking for someone who is caring, enthusiastic and committed to supporting children with additional needs.
Ideally, you will have:
- A QCF Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) in Childcare, Learning and Development, Playwork or a related discipline.
- Knowledge of child development and age-appropriate learning and play activities.
- At least one year's experience (paid or lived) supporting children aged 0–5 years and their families.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the confidence to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- A child-centred approach with a genuine passion for supporting children with additional needs to achieve their full potential.
Applications close on 01 September 2026, with interviews to be held shortly after.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and welcome applicants with disabilities to apply for all roles with us.
Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings. For more details on what we have to offer, please see the attached document outlining all the fantastic benefits available to you as a member of our team!
Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives. We're here to support people with a learning disability, their families and their carers. We fight for a kinder, fairer and more inclusive society for people with a learning disability to live in. At Mencap, everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues.
Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. · Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. · Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes · Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long- term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies.
We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
