Most care jobs lock you into rigid shifts and keep you stuck in one building. This isn't one of them. We're looking for compassionate, switched-on people who want to make a real difference in children's lives, with the flexibility to choose how many hours you actually work. This is respite care done properly: you become someone families genuinely trust, and you pick the rota that fits your life
The children we support live with disabilities and neurodiverse conditions like autism and ADHD, some with physical needs too. They're brilliant kids who deserve time out doing normal brilliant things: cinema trips, shopping, parks, walks in the woods. You're not just a carer, you're their gateway to experience and fun. The parents? They get breathing room. The siblings get their parents back for a few hours. You make that happen
What makes this different is the trust. Families grow to depend on you. You're not a name on a rota, you're the person they want looking after their child. That takes honesty and genuine care, but when it works, it's deeply rewarding. You see the same families week after week, build real relationships, understand each child's needs and personality properly
Your flexibility is your power here. Pick up just 1 or 2 children a week if you've got a couple of evenings free. Scale up to 4, 5 or more if you want more hours, including weekends. You're in the community with them, driving to activities they choose. This isn't institutional care. It's individual, it's varied, and it's genuinely responsive to your life as well as theirs
What you will be doing
- Provide one-to-one support during community activities: cinema trips, shopping, parks, woodland walks and experiences chosen with the child and family
- Pick up and drop off children from their homes, driving them safely to and from activities
- Build trusting relationships with the children and families you support, becoming someone they genuinely depend on and feel safe with
- Respond with compassion and patience to children with disabilities, neurodiverse conditions and physical needs, adapting your approach to each individual
- Work flexibly around your own schedule: 1 or 2 children a week, or 4, 5 or more if you want extended hours including weekends
Why you will love working here
- Choose your own hours: work 1 or 2 evenings a week, or expand to 4, 5+ shifts including weekends, completely flexible
- Build lasting relationships with the same families week after week, not faceless shift work
- Real community-based support: you're out doing activities, not confined to a building
- Work for a provider that genuinely invests in getting the right match between you and the families you support, starting with an informal chat to make sure it's right for both of you
Is this you?
- Is this you: you hold a current, clear DBS certificate (or are happy to apply for one)
- You are a confident driver with a valid UK driving licence and access to a car
- You're naturally compassionate and genuinely caring towards children and young people with disabilities and neurodiversity
- You're honest, trustworthy and reliable. Families need to know you'll be there and you'll be straight with them
- You want flexible working hours and can adapt to picking up shifts around your own life commitments
Applications close on 12 October 2026. Great roles like this are filled quickly, so the sooner you apply the better.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All roles are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.