This is more than a traditional care role.
You will support children and young people with a range of needs including autism, learning disabilities, developmental delay, emotional and behavioural difficulties, trauma, ADHD and complex needs.
Our packages are person centred and outcome focused. Support may take place within the family home, school environment or in the community; and can include trips to activities in neighbouring counties.
Depending on the individual, you may help a young person to access community activities, develop confidence and independence, build positive relationships, manage transitions, develop emotional regulation skills and enjoy meaningful experiences outside the family home.
What We Are Looking For
We are particularly interested in applicants with experience or qualifications in:
• Children and young people’s support
• Autism and learning disabilities
• Psychology
• Youth work or mentoring
• SEND education or teaching support
• Health and social care
• Mental health support
• Positive Behaviour Support
• Trauma-informed practice
• Residential childcare
• Community outreach or family support
Candidates with a psychology degree or background in psychology, counselling, education, youth work or behavioural support are strongly encouraged to apply, particularly where you have practical experience working with children or vulnerable young people.
Your Responsibilities
You will build safe, consistent and trusting relationships with children and young people while providing support in accordance with their individual care plan and risk assessment.
Your role may include supporting community activities such as parks, swimming, sports, shopping and leisure activities; promoting communication and independence; supporting emotional regulation; recognising triggers and early signs of distress; and using appropriate de-escalation and Positive Behaviour Support strategies.
You will work closely with parents, carers, schools, social workers and the wider Tender Healthcare team while maintaining professional boundaries and safeguarding responsibilities.
Accurate recording is essential. You will complete daily notes, activity records and incident documentation and communicate any safeguarding or wellbeing concerns promptly.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should:
• Have previous experience supporting children, young people or vulnerable individuals
• Have a good understanding of safeguarding children
• Be patient, emotionally resilient and able to remain calm when a young person becomes distressed
• Be confident supporting behaviours that may challenge
• Have strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Be reliable and committed to providing consistent support
• Be able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Be willing to undertake relevant specialist training
• Be eligible to work in the UK
• Be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check with the appropriate barred-list check where required
A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is highly desirable for community-based packages.
Desirable
Level 2 or Level 3 Health and Social Care or Children and Young People qualification.
Degree or relevant qualification in Psychology, Social Work, Education, Counselling or a related discipline.
Experience of autism, ADHD, learning disability, trauma, emotional dysregulation, non-verbal communication or complex behaviour.
Training or practical experience in Positive Behaviour Support, trauma-informed care, PACE, de-escalation, safeguarding or autism support.
Experience working as a Children’s Support Worker, Family Support Worker, SEND Teaching Assistant, Residential Support Worker, Youth Worker, Behaviour Support Worker or Community Support Worker would be particularly relevant.
What We Offer
You will receive a structured induction and ongoing training appropriate to the children you support.
We provide regular supervision, management support and opportunities to develop experience across specialist children and young people’s packages.
Where appropriate, new team members will have opportunities to shadow experienced staff before taking responsibility for a package.
Most importantly, we aim to match workers carefully with children and families. Consistency matters to the young people we support, so we are looking for people who want to build meaningful professional relationships rather than simply pick up occasional shifts.
About Tender Healthcare
Tender Healthcare Consulting Ltd provides person-centred care and specialist support to children, young people and adults across the North West.
Our approach is relationship led, strengths based and focused on helping each person achieve meaningful outcomes while maintaining their safety, dignity, choice and independence.
If you are patient, dependable and passionate about helping children and young people with additional needs participate more fully in family and community life, we would like to hear from you.
Apply today with your CV, outlining your relevant experience supporting children, young people, autism, learning disabilities, mental health, SEND or complex needs
Salary description
£13.80 - £15.60 per hour