Job summary
Join Lagans Foundation as a Childrens Play and Health Care Worker and help create meaningful moments for children and young people with health and developmental needs.

Based in Liverpool, you will support children and young people aged 019 within their own homes and communities. This is more than a traditional care role. You will combine high-quality personal care with play, learning, interaction and emotional support, helping each child to build confidence, develop skills and experience fun and enjoyment.

You will build positive and trusting relationships with children and their families, adapting your approach to each childs individual personality, communication and support needs.

You do not need to know everything from day one. We provide a comprehensive induction, training, mentorship, supervision and ongoing development to help you build the confidence and competencies required for the role.

This is a permanent, 16-hour-per-week position, with weekday evening shifts and a six-hour weekend shift on either Saturday or Sunday as part of a rolling rota.

If you are caring, dependable, enjoy working with children and believe in the power of play and connection, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job
As a Childrens Play and Health Care Worker, you will provide compassionate, child-centred support to children and young people in their own homes and communities.

You will use play, interaction and engaging activities to support learning, communication, confidence and emotional wellbeing. Alongside this, you will provide high-quality personal care where required, always respecting each childs individual needs, dignity and preferences.

A key part of your role will be building positive and trusting relationships with children and their families. You will take time to understand each childs personality, routines and communication needs, adapting your approach to help create safe, enjoyable and meaningful experiences.

You will follow individual care plans and risk assessments, maintain accurate and timely care records, and communicate effectively with families, colleagues and the wider care team. You will also recognise and appropriately escalate any concerns.

You will attend required training, supervision and team meetings, supporting your continued development and helping us maintain high standards of care.

About us
Lagan's 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.

Job responsibilities
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 16 hours per week
Pay: £12.71 per hour

Role Purpose
As a Childrens Play and Health Care Worker, you will be part of Lagans Foundations specialist care team, providing high-quality, holistic support to children and young people aged 019 with health and developmental needs within their own homes and communities.

Our approach combines care with play, interaction and meaningful engagement. You will support each childs physical, emotional, social and developmental wellbeing while helping to create positive experiences for the children and families we support.

You will complete a comprehensive induction and training programme, including mentorship, supervision and formal assessment, to develop the knowledge, confidence, professional behaviours and competencies required for the role.

Key Responsibilities
You will:

• Provide high-quality, child-centred care and support in accordance with individual care plans and risk assessments.
• Deliver personal care where required, maintaining the childs dignity, privacy, comfort and safety.
• Use play, sensory activities and age-appropriate interaction to encourage learning, communication, development and emotional wellbeing.
• Create meaningful, safe and enjoyable experiences that reflect each childs individual needs and interests.
• Develop positive and trusting relationships with children, young people and their families.
• Adapt your approach to each childs individual communication style, abilities, routines and preferences.
• Work independently and collaboratively as part of the wider care team.
• Recognise concerns and escalate safeguarding or care-related issues appropriately.
• Provide feedback that supports the ongoing review and improvement of care plans and risk assessments.
• Represent Lagans Foundation professionally and act as an ambassador for the organisation and its values.

Qualifications
Essential

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above, or equivalent
• Willingness to work towards a Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with children, families and colleagues
• Ability to work independently, manage time effectively and follow agreed care plans, procedures and guidance
• Full UK driving licence with access to own vehicle and appropriate business-use insurance
• Ability to use IT systems and mobile applications to complete accurate care documentation
• Professional, reliable and adaptable approach, with a commitment to Lagans Foundations values and delivering high-quality, child-centred care

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working with children and young people
• Experience of delivering personal care
• Experience of building positive and appropriate relationships with children, young people and their families
• Experience of communicating effectively with others when providing care or support
• Ability to work confidently and appropriately when supporting children within their individual routines and needs

Desirable

• Previous experience of working shifts or flexible working patterns
• Experience supporting children or young people with health or developmental needs
• Experience working within a domiciliary, community or family-home environment
• Experience using play, activities or interaction to support a childs learning, development and emotional wellbeing

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
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.

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