Career Opportunities in Children's Care

A team responsible for supporting children at home with their everyday routines will be out and about next week to talk about career opportunities available across Lincolnshire. 

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust's (LCHS) Domiciliary Care Service provides specialist domiciliary support for children with a range of disabilities, some with very complex medical needs.

Domiciliary care is about working alongside parents in their family home, giving them extra support and assistance with their every day routines. This includes support with personal care routines, including feeding, brushing teeth, continence management, administration of medication and clinical procedures. The care frequently takes place early in the morning and in the evening.

Carole Murray, Care Support Worker for the Children's Domiciliary Care Service, said: "I have worked as a family support/domicilary carer a number of years, and the time I have worked with children with disabilities has been the most rewarding. No two days are the same, the children and families all have different needs and coping skills. The nature of the work means that I can build up relationships with families, as well as knowing that the short time I spend with their child can be invaluable. The hours can be a little unsocial, but the rewards to me as a carer are vast."

The service provides much-needed support to families countywide, one of which is a single parent to a severely autistic son, who also has ADHD and other behavioural issues. She explained: "The support my son and I have had over the years has been invaluable. My son has built a bond and trust with the support / domiciliary carer, and having the same carer for a number of years has meant that my son responds to the firm but fair boundaires that she puts in place. 

"I too have benefited from the support by having someone I can offload to when things are really getting on top of me. A listening ear goes a long way. Also I get a little time for myself when the carer visits knowing that my son is in safe hands." 

Tina Bellamy, Lead for Specialist Children's Services at LCHS, said: "This role us a great opportunity for someone looking to work with children with disabilities within the NHS. All new staff attend a week of induction training, which includes infection control, moving and handling, safeguarding and basic first aid. They will then commence work on the Care Certificate, which ensures they are meeting health and social care standard, and will receive full support throughout."

Anyone interested in working for the Children's Domiciliary Care Service can find out more information and talk to members of the team on :

• Wednesday, September 21 - Hildred's Shopping Centre, Skegness (10am-1pm)
• Thursday, September 22 - Marshall's Yard, Gainsborough (9am-1pm)
• Friday, September 23 - Waterside Centre, Lincoln (9.30am-1pm)
• Saturday, September 24 - Boston Market (9am-12pm)

Alternatively contact Jo Hudson on 07583803082 or josephine.hudson@lincs-chs.nhs.uk, or view the vacancies on the NHS jobs website (www.jobs.nhs.uk) by using the reference 818-Q1000.