Local Government Jobs

A Befriender enables a disabled child or young person to get out and about and enjoy a range of activities. These might include attending a youth club, going out for a meal, a shopping trip or a visit to a leisure centre.

Befrienders are needed at evenings, weekends and during school holidays. They normally work between 3-4 hours per week with the same child on a regular basis, although there are opportunities to work more hours.

It is not necessary to have any specialist experience or qualifications, but you must be able to:

-Organise, plan and undertake a range of activities appropriate to the needs of the child or young person, in consultation with their family and others
-Take personal respsonsiblity for the welfare of a disabled child or young person while out in public
-Build up a relationship of trust over time with a child or young person
-Provide oral or written feedback to parents and carers at the end of the day
-Support young people with personal care tasks
-Respond appropriately to sometimes challenging behaviour

Training will be provided, and will involve attending occasional (paid) training sessions, held at various locations in the Borough.

Befrienders work on a casual basis, but are expected to commit to offer assistance on a regular basis to a particular child or family as far as is practical. Some flexibility is therefore required.

If you are committed to providing high quality services for disabled children and young people, please read the Person Specification and Job Description carefully before applying, and tell us why you think you are suitable for this challenging and satisfying opportunity.

We are particularly seeking to recruit male befrienders as there are a high number of teenage boys currently requiring support.

Please read the Job Description and Person Specification carefully before applying online. Alternatively, if you have any queries about this opportunity, please contact Gabrielle Davis on 0208 831 6047 or