Could you support a child or young person with special needs?
Telford and Wrekin Council is working together with PODS (Parents Opening Doors) to help children and young people with special needs and disabilities and their families to lead happier lives and benefit from enhanced support in the borough.
As part of this commitment (detailed in the borough-wide SEND “Working Together” charter), the Council and PODS are encouraging local people to consider a job in care.
There are a range of job roles available to support a child or young person with special needs in the borough, either full-time or flexible (part-time).
Some of these job roles do not require previous experience as the Council is providing extensive training.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “Together with PODS, we are dedicated to offer the best support for the borough’s children and young people with special needs, we are on their side.
“To give more young people with special needs chances to thrive, we need more people willing to support them and their families.
“As such, we are encouraging local people to consider a job in care and facilitate a range of experiences for young people to develop themselves and take part in the community.
“Job roles supporting children and young people with special needs are available on our Council’s website, such as Skills Coach, Foster Carer (Part-time), Childminder, Personal Assistant or Micro-Provider. They offer flexible or permanent hours, on-the-job training and ongoing support.
“No specific qualifications or previous experience are needed for some of these roles– all you need are the right qualities!”
Jayne Stevens, Strategic Co-ordinator at PODS, said: "The families that our Charity involves and supports have told us how important it is to get help from professional staff in caring for their child or young person. Without this support, they feel “overwhelmed”, “exhausted” and “quite isolated”, to use their own words.
“Families are in need of support, a chance to rest, and to keep their families’ relationships strong and healthy, as well as giving their children and young people opportunities outside their home and in the local community, keeping them safe at all times.
“We are supporting the Council with this appeal for more local people to help make a difference to a child and young person’s life – there are paid, flexible or full-time job roles you can apply for.
“Get in touch with the Council to find out more about the job opportunities in care available.”
Job roles supporting children and young people with special needs are listed on the Council’s website, follow the links below:
In the next weeks, the Council will be sharing on its social media channels several testimonials from local people in these job roles, who talk about their experiences.
Follow the Council’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts (@TelfordWrekin)
Background
Telford & Wrekin Council, PODS Charity and NHS Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin have recently launched the “Working Together Charter” to ensure borough families and their children or young people with special needs are listened to, cared for and provided with appropriate support.
The Charter is published on the Council’s Telford & Wrekin Local Offer website, where people can also find, in one place, useful information, advice and guidance on local services and activities to support children and young people with special needs.
PODS (Parents Opening Doors) has been set up in 2008 and is a parent carer/peer led charity in Telford and Wrekin, with staff and volunteers who have the relevant ‘real life’ experience to involve and support families who have a child with a disability or additional need (aged 0 – 25 years).
The charity delivers a unique offer to families through the Parent Carer Forum that involves families in decision making, how services are co-produced and delivered and strategic planning. Wider charity offers include a range of services and projects.
PODS has been recognised with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service for 2022, the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Year.
Families who wish to join PODS Parent Carer Forum or find out more about their wider Charity offers including activities and groups, befriending and support can contact support@podstelford.org
Photo caption: Centre (left to right) - Councillor Shirley Reynolds (Lab), cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families with Jayne Stevens, Strategic Co-ordinator PODS (both holding a printed copy of the "Working Together" Charter) and with PODS staff members and volunteers at the PODS Charity centre
