Befriender
Job Description
Salary: £13.76 per hour
Grade: B
Casual Contract - Zero Hours
Successful candidates will need to be available to work as follows: Evenings, Saturdays and school holidays
As a service we are open to discuss hours and days.
The Disabled Children’s Short Breaks and Outreach Service is a children’s centre for disabled children. We provide Short Break sessions for children after school, during weekends and during school holidays. Our befriending groups are made up of small groups of children and young people that meet to access activities in the community. As a befriender you will be working with children aged 8-18 with a broad spectrum of needs.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- To undertake direct work with disabled children of all ages
- Support disabled children and young people to access community-based activities and sessions within our centres.
- To oversee medication administration
- To undertake training considered relevant to the role
- To support and advise service users and to advocate on their behalf if necessary.
- To report to the Team Manager of any changes in child behaviour, any noted injuries, accidental/non accidental.
- To help support and promote independence and life skills with young people
- Support children to develop their social interaction skills, friendships, life skills & independence skills.
- Assist the befriending group leader with planning, organising and facilitating safe, enjoying, fun activities for the children in the group.
- Work as part of a small team to provide a reliable and efficient befriending service to disabled children in Thurrock.
The successful applicant will be required to hold a relevant Level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent or have at least 2 years’ experience of working with disabled children in a professional setting.
DBS: A Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced level with Children's Barred List will be required for this post.
Closing Date: 16th November 2025
Interview Date: TBC
For an informal discussion about these posts, please contact Lauren Riddick, Centre Manager or Jackie Harper, Deputy Manager on 01375 652200.
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
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Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
Applicants who hold a Visa must provide valid evidence of their right to work in the UK for this role. If you are applying under the Skilled Worker Visa route for supplementary employment, please ensure the role is eligible by reviewing the criteria outlined on the official government website: Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK
About us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
Salary range
- £13.76 per hour