Vacancy details

Children and young people thrive in our care, we are inspirational in the services we deliver.  We are looking for passionate caring people to join us as relief staff in supporting us as we expand our service to children and young people living in Bracknell.

Exciting opportunity to support the delivery of services within Larchwood short break services.

We are looking for passionate and dedicated relief staff to support our service, increasing the range of support to children and young people, and making a difference in their lives. 

Larchwood is a Short Break Children’s Home which provides an invaluable service for children with disabilities and their families living in Bracknell Forest.  Registered with Ofsted as a five bedded unit, Larchwood aims to provide planned short breaks for children and young people with learning disabilities, ensuring individual needs are met in addition to working closely with families and other professionals involved.

 We consistently maintain an exceptional standard of service because we’re Bracknell Forest. 

 What it’s like working in our team…

This post involves working on a shift rota basis as and when. The successful candidate will join an experienced, imaginative and motivated team covering shifts that include early and late shifts, some split shifts, some sleep-ins and some weekends. 

 The short break home is a child-focused environment, rated as ‘outstanding’ and provides opportunity for children to meet new people, make friends, develop new skills and experience a range of short breaks.

We offer:

Overnight visits

After school care

Teenage club

Weekend day care

‘On the Move’ outreach

 The work is interesting and varied and includes:

• Key working and goal planning
• Travel Training
• Sleep clinic assistance
• Transition support
• Developing aspirations and independence

 You will be supported to carry out the following duties, responsibilities and training…

• Participate in the delivery of short break care and support for children and young people.
• Work within individual care plans and risk profiles.
• Promote the welfare of children and young people and contribute to ensuring that children are safeguarded from abuse.
• Liaise with families and other agencies in relation to the needs and wished of individuals.

 The benefits you will experience are…

• Regular opportunities for development with internal and external training courses.
• An inclusive and social working environment.
• A supportive and friendly place to work
• Regular supervision
• Internal sports and social club opportunities.
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership.
• Supermarket discount.
• An interest free loan for a rail season ticket.

 What we’re looking for…

We are looking for passionate and dedicated relief staff to support our service, increasing the range of support to children and young people, and making a difference in their lives. 

 You will have the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare or N.V.Q Level 3 in Children and Young People and or equivalent child care qualification (or be willing to work towards this). 

 You will have relevant experience of working with children, ideally with disabilities. You will be sensitive to the needs of children and their families and have effective communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team.   You will work in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals. We also require a valid driving licence and a willingness to drive council vehicles.

 Interview date

Interviews will be held on

 16^th December 2020

 Want to ask us a question? –

For an informal discussion or to ask any questions about this role.  Please contact:

Name  Samantha Whitehouse

Job Title  Registered Manager

Phone Number  01344 452315

 As part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to redeployment, please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any stage of the recruitment process if a suitable redeployee is identified.

Equal Opportunities

Bracknell Forest Council – Working for Equality. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

How to apply

Please apply online (see below).

It is important that you read the Application Pack before you apply for this job. It contains information that you will need to refer to when applying. Not referring to this information is likely to reduce your chances of success.

Bracknell Forest Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff employed by the Council in contact with children and adults at risk must be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken. We take up references for all shortlisted candidates and, wherever possible, apply for these prior to interview.

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