Children and Young People Support Worker – Worcestershire

JOB TITLE:

Children and Young People Support Worker

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

Flexible

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Children and Young People’s Co-Ordinator

SALARY:

£12.00 per hour

HOURS:

Zero-hour/ Variable Hour Contract Includes Weekends & School Holidays

WHERE:

Worcestershire –Inc. Bromsgrove, Redditch and Worcester City Centre

We encourage those living in Worcestershire to apply to this position and welcome applications from those wishing to travel from Birmingham and South Birmingham. This role may involve travelling to different locations across Worcestershire to support children and young people.

Who We Look for?

Are you a warm, personable, and highly motivated individual who can empower and support a team and children and young people with complex needs and disabilities?

Do you have a passion for what you do, are a strong communicator, a team player, and have good problem-solving skills?

The support worker will work alongside an experienced and established team of support workers across the West Midlands region.

We place a high value upon integrity, ethical standards, and a commitment to excellence.

If you have experience leading and managing a team and experience working with children and young people with complex disabilities, that’s a bonus. But don’t be put off if not. We value transferable skills from other sectors and provide comprehensive training to all our staff.

What does a CYP Support Worker do?

Midland Mencap is looking to appoint support workers who have a passion and dedication to providing high quality, fun and safe experiences for our children and young people. They will be able to follow a person-centred approach when providing activities and support for children and young people with complex needs.

They will take the lead for specific tasks as designated by the coordinator. Support workers will undertake training and take responsibility for children/young people who require tube feeding or emergency medication. Ensure that all information for a designated group of children is kept up to date including “All About Mes”, protocols, and risk assessments.

They will ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by proactively managing safeguarding principles and practices. They will also strive to maintain a safe, creative, and stimulating environment for children and young people’s social, leisure, and recreational activities. Support workers will be expected to mentor and support new staff during their probationary period.

They must be enthusiastic, motivated, and have the ability to support all children and young people and work well within our established teams. They must have a willingness to try new things and be able to adapt to the needs of Midland Mencap and the different children’s services.

Key Tasks:

1. Support children & young people to participate in arts and crafts, games, sports, drama, music, & outings as part of our children and young people’s short breaks activities and 1:1 community support.
2. Attend staff briefings before and after sessions on a planned basis to discuss and assess the progress of the service.
3. Be available to work a minimum of 3 shifts a month to support the needs of the CYP service and delivery.
4. Be aware and respond to health and safety issues.
5. Follow financial and administrative procedures as directed by the Children and Young Person’s Coordinator.
6. Follow first aid procedures and keep records of all accidents, incidents, and treatment given.
7. Provide personal care when needed, always respecting the dignity and privacy of the individual.
8. Monitor and evaluate children and young people's progress through observation and record keeping.
9. Promote Midland Mencap to families and other agencies.
10. Ensure that responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Health and Safety legislation, and Midland Mencap’s Equal Opportunities and Child Protection Policies.
11. Ensure appropriate professional boundaries with children, young people, parents and carers, staff, and volunteers are maintained across the service.
12. Be available to work flexible hours county-wide.
13. Participate in planned regular meetings with the Children and Young Person’s coordinator and other Midland Mencap colleagues.
14. Adhere to and implement organisational policies and procedures.
15. Attend training courses as required to develop knowledge and skills to improve the quality of service.
16. Carry out any other tasks that are deemed appropriate within your job role and the aims of the organisation.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

1. Working as part of a team
2. Ability to motivate and encourage children and young people with complex needs to participate in a range of activities
3. Understanding of alternative methods of communication that could be used with non-verbal children and young people
4. Planning and delivery of creative activities to meet individual levels of ability and need
5. Training relating to the role, i.e., be able to participate in sports and other physical activities
6. Teamwork and ability to work alone using own initiative
7. Previous experience in holding a position of responsibility

Skills

Essential

1. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a wide range of people.
2. Proactive and focused
3. Effective team player
4. Ability to take own initiative
5. Be willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check
6. Ability to use person-centred approaches to plan & deliver social, leisure, and recreational opportunities for children and young people with learning disabilities and complex needs
7. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, parents, carers, children & young people
8. Good written and verbal communication skills
9. Practical arts, crafts, music, drama, sports or games skills

Desirable

1. Experience of working within an Ofsted and CQC regulated environment/setting.
2. Full driving license and access to a car and willingness to commute across the designated geographical area
3. Relevant qualifications such as Pediatric First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Level 2 or 3 Childcare.

This job description is an outline of the duties and responsibilities a CYP Coordinator will be expected to fulfil. It may be reviewed at any time according to the changing needs of the service.

Midland Mencap reserves the right to alter the content of this job description, after consultation, to reflect changes to the position without altering the general character or level of responsibility. The duties carried out in this job description must be carried out in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity, and due respect of all employees and citizens and is consistent with Midland Mencap equal opportunities policy.