Job Description & Person Specification –

Respite Shift Leader

Rose Road is a Southampton-based charity that since 1952 has been supporting children and
young people with complex disabilities and care needs, and their families, from across Hampshire
and surrounding areas. We provide overnight short respite breaks, on-site and community-based
day services, flexible outreach support and at-home care, and SEN advice services.

Role:

Shift Leader - Oaks & Acorns Overnight Short Breaks (Respite)

Responsible to:

Assistant Manager

Hours:

Various contracts available:

-  16 - 30-hour contracts – 16 - 30 hours per week covering various
shifts between the hours of 7am and 9pm. Shifts will include a
combination of mornings, days, evenings and weekends.
Rotas are available in advance and additional hours are available during
school holidays.

Location:

Salary:

Please say which contract you are applying for when you make your
application at www.roseroad.org.uk/jobs.
Based at Rose Road

£13.90 per hour / £14.90 per hour (enhanced hours)

Closing date

17th October 2025

Job Description

Summary

As a shift leader, you will have the exciting opportunity to support
disabled children, young people and adults to thrive by providing kind,
respectful and professional care to those who attend our overnight
respite facility, Oaks and Acorns.

This will include all aspects of personal care, including bathing (which
can require hoist-assisted moving and handling), toileting, feeding
(orally or through feeding tubes) and medical care as required.

Working positively as part of the respite team, you will have the chance
to help plan and deliver individually tailored, person-centred activities
and opportunities for our young people to learn, play and explore safely
both at Rose Road and out in the community, to develop new skills and
build a sense of belonging and achievement.

You will be able to communicate clearly using their preferred method of
communication, ensuring their needs are met at all times. You will also
communicate well with colleagues, supporting each other and building
trusting working relationships.

Job Description & Person Specification –

Respite Shift Leader

Role specific tasks and
responsibilities

As well as directly supporting children, young people and adults you will
have the opportunity and responsibility to liaise directly with families,
carers and other professionals in your role as shift leader. You will take
lead as a key worker for a number of families to update care plans,
attend review meetings and other admin tasks associated with the shift
leader role.

Within the shift leader role, you will also assist the management team
with dispensing and administering medications to the children, young
people and adults staying with the Respite service.

You will need to have the ability to work under pressure, delegate and
make decisions.

•  Safeguarding – to follow the Associations policies and

procedures in relation to safeguarding, To ensure that you are
familiar with reporting protocols and your responsibility in
identifying and acting on any safeguarding concerns, incidents,
or poor professional practice within the facility. To ensure that
people who use our services are protected from harm (full
training provided).

•  Personal Care – To assist people who use our services with all
aspects of personal care including washing, personal hygiene,
dressing and assisting with meals (orally or through feeding
tubes). To follow the Associations policies and procedures in
relation to Infection Control and the safe Moving and handling
of people. To ensure that dignity and respect are maintained at
all times (full training provided). To ensure support workers
maintain high standards of care.

•  Activities – To organise activities that show support and

commitment to the mental and physical wellbeing of children
and adults who stay with us by enabling them to participate in
daily activities of their choice, such as, crafts, puzzles, sensory,
swimming, day trips and recreational/leisure activities that
support the achievement of set outcomes (full support
provided).
 Reporting and Recording - To complete clear and accurate
records of the Care and Support provided. To ensure that the
care and support plan is followed and any changes based on
observations or feedback are reported to the Assistant
Manager.

•

•  Staff – Deputise in the absence of the assistant manager. Ensure
the effective day-to-day running of Oaks & Acorns. To mentor
new staff in accordance with statutory requirements.

Job Description & Person Specification –

Respite Shift Leader

•  Communication and partnership working - Promote good staff
team relationships by working constructively with colleagues,
managers and members of other disciplines within the
Association to ensure a consistency in the implementation of
plans, policies and professional standards throughout the
establishment. Hold a small case load of Service Users and be
responsible for updating their Care Plan, attending reviews,
producing reports and related paperwork.
 Transport – To ensure children / adults travel to and from
school, college or day services, community facilities, as and
when required and escort if necessary. This post does not
require you to be able to drive.

•

•

•  Communication – To show support and commitment to learning
and using different communication methods/aids to re-assure
and support everyone who uses our services enabling maximum
participation in all aspects of their stay.
 Teamwork – To fully embrace the Associations values and to
work positively as part of a team. To actively listen and respect
the individuality of all staff and families. To take pride in your
everyday work and to work to the best of your ability. To
support colleagues and maintain positive relationships,
resolving conflict as it arises. To enjoy your work. To mentor
new staff in accordance with statutory requirements.

•  Professional Development - To attend and actively participate in
team meetings, supervision and progress meetings with your
line manager. To complete all required training and show a
commitment to continuously improving practice. To adhere to
all Association policies and procedures (on-going Training and
Support provided).

•  To undertake other duties that may be required by The

Association to contribute to the development of the service and
to maintain a positive environment for the children/adults.
•  To demonstrate commitment to the ethos of the Association.

DBS check needed?

This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure by the Disclosure &
Barring Service

Required qualifications  An appropriate level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare/equivalent

Benefits

qualification, or a commitment to undertake the qualification within an
agreed time frame.
The Rose Road Association is an equal opportunities employer.
All staff undergo regular Supervisions, wellbeing check ins and an
annual appraisal.
All staff also receive the following:

•  25 days annual leave per annum, rising to 28 days after five

years’ continuous service

Job Description & Person Specification –

Respite Shift Leader

•  Contributory pension scheme
•  Paid sickness (following 3 months’ service)
•  Comprehensive Training and Development with opportunities to

progress

•  Employee Assistance Programme

Person Specification – what we need from you

Essential

Desirable

Education and Training

•  An appropriate level 3 Diploma in
Residential Childcare/equivalent
qualification, or a commitment to
undertake the qualification within an
agreed time frame.

Achievements, Experience, Skills & Abilities

•  Ability to work shifts including evenings

•  Experience of working with young disabled

and weekends.

people

•  Good IT skills.
•  Ability to lead a staff team.
•  Ability to work under pressure.
•  Understanding of OFSTED and CQC regulations.
•  Ability to produce written reports.
•  Ability to manage conflict.

•  Understanding of Safeguarding.
•  Ability to provide a high standard of care.
•  Ability to plan and organise internal and

external activities.

•  Good verbal and written communication

skills.

•  Good IT skills.
•  To attend training and development

courses.

•  To attend team meetings, review

meetings for children, young people and
adults, supervisions and appraisals.
•  This role requires you to have at least 6
months experience either within a
previous care/support worker role or
other relevant experience

•  You must be over 18 years of age
•  Understanding of the principles of equal

opportunities

•  Recording skills/following programmes,

care plans and risk assessments

•  Ability to use own initiative and work as

part of a team

•  Have the physical capacity to partake in
moving and handling of service users

Job Description & Person Specification –

Respite Shift Leader

Our Values & Expected Behaviours

Our focus is always on the children and young people we support, as well as their families, our
employees and volunteers.  Our Values are essential in providing a moral compass that guides
actions and decisions, creating a shared culture, establishing trust, driving strategic direction, and
infusing the organisation with meaning and purpose.

We are Trustworthy - We build trust with the children, young people, and families we support – as
well as our partners - by being dependable, reliable, and accountable in all that we do.

We are Kind - We understand and value the unique needs of the people that we support.
Providing care and support with compassion and empathy.

We are Open & Honest - We foster an honest and open-minded culture and are transparent in
both our decision making and communication.

We are Forward Thinking - We are committed to providing the highest quality of care, constantly
seeking new, collaborative, and creative ways to deliver our services– encouraging everyone to be
ambitious and to achieve their goals.

We are Professional - Flexible and agile in our approach, we uphold the highest professional
standards to meet the needs of our children, young people, and their families.

Working within our organisation’s Values Framework – Expected Behaviour Level

Our five values have clear descriptions and identified behaviours that demonstrate what they look
like in practice. The behaviours are split into three levels which are intended to be relevant and
consistent throughout various roles within Rose Road.
Job Descriptions include the different levels of each behaviour required which should be
demonstrated throughout recruitment processes and ongoing employment.
Full details can be found at www.roseroad.org.uk/valuesframework (opens a PDF)

We are Trustworthy
We are Kind
We are Open and Honest

We are Forward Thinking
We are Professional

Behaviour Level 1 + Level 2
Behaviour Level 1 + Level 2
Behaviour Level 1 + Level 2

Behaviour Level 1 + Level 2
Behaviour Level 1 + Level 2