Short Break Co - ordinator

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Reading

17/05/2026

Short Breaks Co-ordinator

The job requirements are detailed below. Where applicable the skills, qualifications and memberships required for this job have also been included.

Job details

Salary

£19,046 - £21,441 per year

Contractual hours

Basis

Part time

Region

Permanent / Part-Time

Job category/type

Children's Services

Date posted

01/05/2026

Job reference

DOC0073

We are seeking a Short Breaks Co‑ordinator to join our Children’s Disability Service within the Children Service Directorate. This is a vital role focused on developing, coordinating and improving short breaks for children and young people with SEND, ensuring families receive the right support at the right time.

You will work closely with families, providers, commissioning colleagues and partner agencies to identify gaps in provision, commission services, and ensure short breaks are accessible, inclusive and responsive to local need. The role also includes overseeing Direct Payments linked to short breaks and supporting effective monitoring and reporting.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About the role

You’ll play a key role in both strategic development and day to day coordination of short breaks, including:

• Gathering Reading wide feedback from families, professionals and partners to identify gaps in short breaks provision for children with SEND

• Analysing themes and trends to inform service development and future planning

• Working with providers and SEND Commissioning colleagues to shape services, contracts, grants and tenders

• Attending and contributing to CYPD Resource and Short Breaks Panels, advising on provision and identifying pressures

• Ensuring short breaks are available across term time, weekends and school holidays

• Acting as a key point of contact for short breaks providers and day carers, offering support and challenge where needed

• Supporting worker understanding of short breaks processes and applications

• Maintaining clear, accurate records and contributing to performance and quality assurance activity

• Ensuring the voice and views of children and families are central to service development and decision making

• Working collaboratively with colleagues across the Council, Health, education, police and voluntary sector partners

About you

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about improving outcomes for children with disabilities and their families, and who brings strong partnership working skills. You will have:

• Substantial experience of commissioning or coordinating services for children and young people

• Experience of working with families, carers and multi agency partners

• An understanding of safeguarding and working within complex needs and disability services

• Strong organisational, analytical and communication skills

• Confidence using IT systems such as Microsoft Word, Outlook and case recording databases

• The ability to remain calm, resilient and professional in challenging situations

• A commitment to inclusion, equality and anti discriminatory practice

• A proactive, solution focused approach with the confidence to challenge constructively

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading

Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively

Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential

Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave

• A wide range of flexible working opportunities

• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading

• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)

• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted

• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work

• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

To arrange a confidential discussion on this position please contact ***email_hidden***

Closing Date: Sunday 17th May 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed

Short Breaks Co-ordinator