Short Breaks Practitioner

Job Title: Short Breaks Practitioner
Location: Camden Council
Contract: Initial 4-month assignment
Hours: 36 hours per week
Rate: £26 per hour (Umbrella) (£20 PAYE an hour)

About the Role Short Breaks form a vital part of the support offered by Camden Council to children and young people with disabilities and their families. These services give vulnerable children opportunities to achieve positive outcomes, enjoy time away from their primary carers, and participate in meaningful activities. They also provide essential respite for parents and carers.
We are seeking a Short Breaks Practitioner to join the Children and Young People’s Disability Service. This role focuses on delivering high-quality, strengths-based assessments and reviews for children and young people with severe to profound disabilities and/or complex health needs. You will work directly with families to promote positive outcomes and help each child reach their full potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out robust, strengths-based short breaks assessments and reviews of social care packages.
• Work collaboratively with children, young people, and their families to identify needs, aspirations, and positive outcomes.
• Capture and represent the child or young person’s voice to inform service development and local procedures.
• Manage an allocated caseload of children aged 0–18 with complex health, educational, and social care needs.
• Make informed decisions and recommendations regarding resource allocation and support packages.
• Coordinate the delivery of integrated, holistic care and support services.
• Liaise closely with a wide range of agencies, including Children’s Health services, SEND teams, educational providers, and wider community partners.
• Process new referrals, determining appropriate interventions and support.
• Explore and utilise community resources creatively to meet needs before escalation for funding.
• Provide families with information, signposting, and access to relevant short break opportunities and services.
• Ensure alignment with EHCP objectives through partnership work with SEND colleagues and education settings.
• Work systemically with children’s and adult health professionals to deliver coordinated, needs-led support.

About You To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Experience working with children and young people with disabilities and/or complex needs.
• Strong assessment, planning, and case management skills.
• A strengths-based, child-centred approach to practice.
• The ability to work effectively across agencies and in partnership with families.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to capture and advocate for the child’s voice.
• Creativity and innovation in identifying and accessing community-based support.
• A thorough understanding of SEND processes, statutory frameworks, and care planning.

If you're passionate about improving outcomes for disabled children and supporting families through high-quality, coordinated short break services, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now to join Camden Council and make a meaningful difference to local families.