Senior Support Worker

Gwynedd Council offers an attractive employment package, for more information please click on this Information Pack

Gwynedd Council operates internally through the medium of Welsh, and offers all its services bilingually. The applicant will be required to reach the linguistic level noted as one of the essential skills in the Person Specification.

We encourage everyone who applies for a job with Gwynedd Council to submit job applications in Welsh or bilingually.

( Applications submitted in English only or Welsh only will always be treated equally, but we ask applicants to consider carefully what the linguistic requirements of the job in question is and if it would be more appropriate to submit an application in Welsh.)

For further information about this post please contact Manon Fon Owen via e-mail: manonfonowen@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

Application forms are available from Support Service, Gwynedd Council, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH

Tel: 01286 679076

E-Mail: Swyddi@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

CLOSING DATE: 10:00 AM, 26/03/2026

The Council will request a Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service for the successful candidate.

If you are successful to be short listed for an interview you will be contacted by E-MAIL using the address provided on your application form. You need to ensure that you check your email regularly.

Recruitment Pack Children and Supporting Families.pdf

Person Specification

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
ESSENTIAL
• A person who can inspire others.
• A person who can communicate naturally with young people, families, colleagues and workers from other agencies.
• A sensitive and flexible person.
• A confident and diplomatic person.
• The ability to work in an anti-oppressive manner.
• Flexible to work unsocial hours.

DESIRABLE
-

QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT TRAINING
ESSENTIAL
A recognised childcare qualification, e.g. NVQ/QCF Level 3 in Health and Social Care - Children's Care pathway or be willing to earn the
qualification within six months of being in the post

DESIRABLE
- Any other relevant qualification in the field of Disability or Social Care.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
• Experience of working with disabled children or children who are unwell.
• Experience of planning and organising work in a structured and effective manner.
• Experience of organising events or activities involving a number of different agencies.
• Experience of supporting colleagues in the workplace.

DESIRABLE
• Experience of managing staff.
• Experience of producing written reports in both Welsh and English.


SKILLS AND SPECIALIST KNOWLEDGE
ESSENTIAL
• Evidence of the ability to work as a team member and with others.
• Evidence of the ability to communicate to a good standard, both verbally and in writing.
• Evidence of the ability to manage and prioritise work and act effectively under pressure.
• The ability to drive, with a current driving licence.
• Knowledge of the needs of disabled children.
• Evidence of the ability to interpret and record events accurately and clearly.
• Evidence of the ability to work under instruction and accept feedback.
• Evidence of the ability to contribute to discussions and meetings.
• Evidence of the ability to devise and develop work programmes that enable children and young people to receive the best possible supportive service.

DESIRABLE
• The ability to confidently present information to a variety of audiences.
• Knowledge of methods for managing behaviour that can challenge.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
ESSENTIAL
Listening and Speaking - Advanced Level
Ability to follow a conversation or discussion in Welsh and English at a professional level and discuss everyday topics in the field in order to present information and express opinions. Ability to deliver a prepared presentation and respond to any comments and questions in Welsh and English.

Reading and Understanding - Advanced Level
Ability to understand standard, formal, and informal written Welsh and English. Able to gather information from various sources such as letters, reports, and articles in Welsh and English to perform the role effectively.

Writing - Advanced Level
Confidently present written information in the form of letters, detailed and technical reports, and respond to written requests by conveying information, ideas, and opinions in Welsh and English. (Assistance with language checking may be available).

Job Description

Purpose of the Post.
Ensure that the people of Gwynedd are at the heart of everything we do.

Providing a range of supportive service packages for disabled children or children and young people who are unwell, assisting the relevant Support Service Leaders to coordinate the work.

Responsibility for functions . e.g. staff, budgets, equipment
Responsibility for casual staff, equipment e.g. car seats, moving and handling equipment, and resources within the groups.


Main Duties
• Promote and enable children and young people receiving supportive services from Derwen to reach their full potential, in a way that promotes their wellbeing, health, development and safety.
• Promote and enable children and young people receiving support services from Derwen to develop their skills and promote their independence.
• Promote personal choice, enabling children to make informed decisions and giving them control over decisions that affect them.
• Ensure the service responds to the needs of the child/young person in a person-centred manner.
• Work within the principles of Active Support to encourage the participation of children and young people in everyday tasks (for more information click here: About Active Support | bild).
• Work within the principles of Positive Behaviour Support and follow individual Positive Behaviour plans to ensure an appropriate and consistent response to behavioural needs (for more information click here: About PBS | bild).
• Ensure consistency in service provision and recognise the importance of the relationship between children, families and the provider.
• Familiarise yourself with the Council's policies, procedures and guidelines regarding good practice and matters relating to Health and Safety.
• Prepare detailed reports on the outcomes of Support service sessions and any relevant needs of the child, and include the reports on the child's file.
• Support children and young people by addressing their personal care needs as required, doing so in a way that promotes and maintains their dignity and privacy.
• Assist the Support Service Leaders in coordinating day-to-day staff work allocation, including holding supervision sessions with casual staff.
• Arrange to visit children/young people and their families to complete profiles and any relevant risk assessments following receipt of an assessment and care plan from a Social Worker.
• Create a Person-Centred Plan (PCP), identifying how we will support children and young people to achieve their desired outcomes.
• Delegate agreed tasks and responsibilities in the absence of the Support Service Leader.
• Act as an out-of-hours contact person on a rota basis.
• Be responsible for working overnight hours when required.
• Mentor and provide regular guidance to team members.
• Communicate clearly, politely and effectively with children and young people, parents, other team members and other professionals.

Identify, respond to and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with local and national Safeguarding policies and procedures (for more information click here: Safeguarding Wales).
• Attend Team meetings and any other meetings as required and considered appropriate by the Support Services Manager / relevant Support Service Leaders.
• Attend and prepare for regular supervision.
• Take responsibility for individual professional development by identifying suitable and relevant training courses for the role.
• Commit to the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care (for more information click here: Codes of Professional Practice and guidance | Social Care Wales).
• Be responsible for information management in accordance with the Council's information governance standards and guidelines. Ensure that personal information is handled in compliance with Data Protection legislation.
• Be required to work flexible hours, including weekends and bank holidays, as necessary

Ensure compliance with Health and Safety rules in the workplace in accordance with the responsibilities noted in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Council's Health and Safety Policy.

Operate within the Council's policies in relation to equal opportunities and equality.

Responsible for managing information in accordance with the Council's information management guidelines. Ensure that personal information is treated in accordance with Data Protection legislation.

Commitment to reducing the Council's carbon emissions in accordance with the Carbon Management Plan, and to encourage others to act positively towards reducing the Council's Carbon Footprint.

Undertake any other reasonable duty which corresponds to the salary level and responsibility level of the job.

Responsibility to report any concern or suspicion that a child or vulnerable adult is being abused.

Special Circumstances . e.g. the need to work unsociable hours, special working arrangements etc.
In accordance with the needs of the service, the contracted hours will be worked on a rota basis over 7 days a week.

The post holder should be aware that hours may be after 5pm, at weekends, or overnight.

A vehicle, a valid driving licence, and current business insurance are required.