Duration: Fixed term contract until December 2020 (subject to review)
Day: Saturday (10am – 2pm)
Salary Rate: £9 per hour
Hours: 4 hours per week (40 weeks per year)
** PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A TERM TIME ONLY POSITION**
Location: Crossgate Community Centre, Maryfield Avenue, Crossgate, Leeds, LS15 7TU
Holidays: 5 sessions per year
Responsible to: Danielle Martin, Project Manager
About People in Action (Yorkshire)
People in Action (Yorkshire) is a thriving Leeds based charity, established in 1983 to benefit people with learning disabilities, difficulties, autism and similar conditions. The charity makes a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable and socially isolated; inspiring and empowering people to recognise their potential, fulfil their aspirations and lead safer healthier, better connected lives.
The charity provides a range of innovative, inclusive, person centred services which reflect the needs of the people it supports. The activities are wide ranging and include the provision of opportunities for leisure, learning, employment, health, wellbeing and the development of life skills. The range of activities runs from practical courses in employability to social groups that meet in the community to enjoy leisure time together. Through individual care packages the charity also provides practical one to one support tailored to the needs to the individual.
Purpose of the post.
To assist in the delivery of the TEAM youth sessions, providing inclusive youth-led activities to young people with learning disabilities, including autism and Asperger’s, aged 13 – 18 years old. You will be responsible for contributing to the development of activities which meet the outcomes of the project whilst supporting and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the young people during the session.
After the groups continue to grow in numbers, we hope to add a 4th member of staff to the team.
Key duties and Responsibilities
· To support and encourage the young people in the group to participate in the activities.
· Support the group lead in delivering activities and contribute towards ideas
· To facilitate and carry out support in accordance with each child’s risk assessment and individual profiles.
· Encourage and engage our members to meet their needs and aspirations
· To be responsible for reporting any safeguarding concerns to the relevant parties.
· To ensure the social, emotional, communication and physical needs of each young person is met in a manner that is sensitive to the religious, cultural, linguistic and ethnic origins of the individual.
· To use skills to communicate effectively with all members, and ensure an inclusive approach to each young person’s individual communication skills.
· To ensure clear communication with members and positive relationships with parents and carers. This includes utilising the young person’s communication book.
· To assist with group activities, including external day trips and visits to shops/parks/etc.
· To work as a team to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people at all times.
· To attend all relevant training required for this role.
· To attend any meetings with the Project Manager throughout the 6 month probation process.
· To continuously monitor and collect feedback from the young people using creative and inclusive methods.
· To contribute to the promotion and marketing of the project where required.
· Ensure all relevant procedures are fully adhered to including Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Confidentiality and Data Protection.
· To listen and act on any compliments and complaints from stakeholders by taking responsibility for informing the group lead and/or the project coordinator.
· Any other reasonable duties as required
Person Specification
We are looking for a committed and enthusiastic person who has experience of working with children and young people who have a learning disability, Autism or complex needs,
All the below are ESSENTIAL criteria for the role;
· Minimum of 6 months experience of working with people with learning disabilities, Autism and complex needs.
· Experience of working with children and young people.
· Experience of managing challenging behaviour and adopting positive behavior strategies with children and young people.
· Confident in following personalised support plans.
· Experience of supporting or providing activities for young people with additional needs, which are inclusive, safe, fun and age appropriate.
· Ability to use a variety of communication tools and inclusive methods when working with young people.
· Ability to engage and build rapport with young people
· A proactive individual who works well within a team
· Knowledge and commitment to a person-centered approach
· A positive, creative approach towards working with young people
· An understanding of safeguarding.
· An understanding of equal opportunities and commitment to inclusion.
· An understanding of health and safety and risk assessments.
· Ability to communicate professionally with parents/carers and colleagues
· An enthusiastic and flexible approach to the post, with a commitment to the group and good time-keeping skills.
This Job Description is not exhaustive. It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following discussion between the post-holder and employer.
Please download the Job Description form for the dates
