Young Achievers Support Worker

About the role

DS Achieve is looking for an enthusiastic and conscientious individual to work as part of a fantastic team, led by the Young Achievers (YAs) Group Leader, to deliver our weekly, term-time only social skills group for school-age children/young people with Down Syndrome.  

The Young Achievers programme aims to support and enable children/young people to develop their social communication and life skills, using a carefully planned curriculum to inform the weekly sessions.

It’s a busy Saturday afternoon, but our team and volunteers confirm that it is incredibly rewarding to see the children progress their skills and enjoy themselves… and to know that you are really making a difference.

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Hours: 4 hours per week for 30 weeks per year (term time only, 10 weeks per term):

Hours to be worked 2pm - 6pm on Saturday afternoons at the YAs venue

Pay: £13.15 per hour

Benefits: Statutory holiday entitlement, Employee Assistance Programme

Location: Applecroft School, Applecroft Road, Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6JZ

Contract: Fixed Term for 11 months (Sept 25 – Jul 26), with a view to renewing for the next academic year

Start date: ASAP, subject to successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Right to Work in the UK and reference checks

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Job summary

As a Support Worker, you will report to the Young Achievers Group Leader and be responsible for getting the venue ready for the children/young people to arrive, supporting the children to participate in the routine and planned activities for that week, helping to supervise our fantastic volunteers, and getting stuck in with fun activities!  And after the primary-aged group leaves to head home at 3:30pm, it’s time to tidy up and deliver a session for the secondary aged young people from 4-5:30pm!

Our ideal candidate has experience of working with children with SEND and working as part of a team to deliver activities suitable for a range of ages and abilities.

Responsibilities

You will:

• Assist the Young Achievers Leader and Assistant Leader with resources and equipment set up, based on a weekly plan, and then clear up and pack away resources at the end of each session.
• Communicate effectively and proactively with other team members to understand the weekly plan and how to support its delivery.
• Work directly with children and young people with Down Syndrome, supporting them to take part in a range of activities.
• Assist the Young Achievers Leader and Assistant Leader to deliver the weekly sessions and actively participate in activities with the children/young people.
• Contribute your ideas towards and feedback from sessions.
• Help to supervise a group of volunteers.
• Help to provide a safe and supportive space.
• Look to remove barriers in accessing the activities so every child can take part, taking account of their individual needs.
• Use your initiative to get tasks done and strive at all times to be a positive role model.
• Support positive behaviour strategies with the children/young people when needed.
• Communicate effectively with parents/carers (when required) and communicate any feedback, suggestions or queries from parents to the Young Achievers Leader.
• Follow DS Achieve policies and procedures, including data protection, safeguarding and Health & Safety requirements.

Requirements:

• Age 18+
• Experience of working with children and young people.
• Experience of working with or a desire to work with children with SEND.
• Experience of working as part of an effective team.
• A strong commitment to young people and an understanding of the factors affecting their lives.
• A sense of adventure and a willingness to try new things.
• Patience, tolerance and flexibility.
• Excellent interpersonal skills - friendly and welcoming, good listener, clear communicator, good facilitator, happy to ‘pitch in’ - with the ability to establish good relationships with young people.
• Safeguarding trained at minimum level 1 (or willing to undertake training at level 1 prior to commencement of the role).
• Willingness to undertake additional training (if required) to support you in the role.

Desirable, but not essential:

• First Aid trained
• Experience of working with children with Down Syndrome and their families

Please note that successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Right to Work in the UK and reference checks prior to appointment.

If you think you may be suitable for this role and would like to find out more, please contact Fiona Forster, Operations Manager, on 07824 467471.

To apply, please email your CV and reasons for applying to us at  info@dsachieve.org.