Specialist Carer

This role may be perfect for you if you are currently, or have been, a Healthcare Assistant. At Noah’s Ark you'll have opportunity to build on your experience and be trained to a more specialist level.

**ABOUT NOAH'S ARK CHILDREN'S HOSPICE**

We exist to help babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, and their families, make the most of every day. Our mission is to enable those we support to enjoy life as children, not patients; as families, not just as carers.

Because everyone deserves to live life as themselves, beyond their condition or circumstances. We do this by listening to families. We know one size doesn’t fit all, so we cater our services to each individual person we support. We can do this from the point of diagnosis.

Our help is available wherever it is needed. Our expert staff and trained volunteers can provide support in a families home, in the community, or at our state-of-the-art building, The Ark, in Barnet.

We work in collaboration with key NHS Trusts and other care providers to deliver the very best support to children and families. We have created a space where children with complex needs are accepted as they are, safe to play, explore, express themselves and build confidence.

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

We’re expanding our team and are looking for more Specialist Carers to join our charity. You’ll be joining an award-winning, certified Outstanding team, who do all they can to empower children and families to experience as much life as possible.

As a Specialist Carer, you’ll provide life-changing care for babies, children and young people with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions. You’ll do this by working in collaboration with their family, multidisciplinary teams, and your other Noah’s Ark colleagues.

You’ll be encouraged to put the experience of children and families at the heart of all you do. As well as understanding their clinical needs, you’ll get to know what’s important to each child you support. Whether it’s knowing what their favourite song to listen to is, how they like to play, or what sooths them when they are sad - at Noah’s Ark it’s so important that each child is treated as an individual. You’ll focus on what children can do, rather than their limitations, and will support them to experience things they may never have thought possible.

And by providing care for children, either at our state-of-the art building, The Ark, or out in the community, you’ll be allowing parents and cares to take some time for themselves. The hours of care you’ll provide will make a huge difference, allowing them to live life outside of their child’s condition. By creating this time, you’ll be creating choice - something which can feel impossible for the families we support

Your commitment to children and families will continue through to end-of-life care. You’ll be a guiding reassuring presence for families and working with other healthcare professionals to create as much comfort as possible.

**ABOUT YOU**

You’ll have experience working with babies, children, and young people in a health, education or social setting. You’ll understand the power of play and will enjoy creating experiences and activities for those you are caring for.

Aside from experience, we look for individuals who share our core values of kindness, excellence and courage. We’ll support you to go above and beyond to be there for the children and families we support - we ask that you share this mission with us.

You’ll thrive working autonomously, confident in your ability to deliver care on your own out in the community. You’ll know the value of collaboration, and will work closely with your team members, other healthcare professionals and the families you support to provide the very best care.

Creativity and play will be central to your approach to care, with the ability to build long-term relationships with the children and families you care for.

**Please see the attached job description for more information about this opportunity.**

**OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION**

**DBS**

This role required an enhanced DBS disclosure with Child Barring. Our recruitment checks, induction, ongoing support and supervision reflect our commitment to safeguarding the families we support.