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- Tasks: Support children with disabilities in a fun and safe play environment.
- Company: Achieving for Children is a not-for-profit social enterprise focused on community support.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, training opportunities, and a friendly work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications needed, just a passion for helping young people.
- Other info: Zero hours contract with potential for regular shifts; DBS check required.
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government.
The role is based at The Windham Croft Centre, Kew. As a Play and Leisure Assistant for Achieving for Children, you will assist the group leader in providing a safe, stimulating and enjoyable play or leisure environment for children and young people with a disability. You will encourage children to have a voice, participate in group activities, develop intellectual and social skills, and also encourage them to use various resources and experience a range of activities.
Short breaks provide support to young people who have a disability and live in the Kingston and Richmond boroughs. We run group sessions after school, weekends and holidays. We also provide support in the community on a one-to-one basis plus assist young people in mainstream clubs to enable them access those clubs. Groups use our centres as well as go out into the community for trips out.
This is a Zero hours contract; however, there is scope to build up regular hours within the service.
About the role:
- Listen and ensure the voice of the child / young person is being shared
- Support children with disabilities
- Play engaging and preparation of activities
- Support our young people with personal care, feeding, moving and handling needs
- Responsible for keeping the environment safe, organised and clean
- Making a welcome environment for all
- Able to work independently as well as part of a team
- Support with administration of medication, emergency medication or similar (only once trained)
- Awareness of safeguarding and to follow our safeguarding policies and procedures
- To be expected to write up reports associated with the day's events
- Expected to follow localised policies and procedures whilst adhering to Achieving for Children Policies and procedures
If you have any questions about the position please email the team.
About you:
- Interest and experience of supporting children and young people
- Team Player
- Able to work after school, weekends and holiday periods
- Be friendly, welcoming and engaging
- Be flexible, resilient and calm
Recruitment processes (If successful):
- HR requirements for safer recruitment
- 5 years of work/education professional references (note: Professional email address only)
- Completion of Occupational Health - (This is to enable us to be able to support you safely in the workplace)
- DBS check from Achieving for Children to be carried out (we do accept DBS's on the update system)
About our benefits:
- Training: Induction, Moving and handling, Safeguarding levels 1 - 3 and First Aid training to mandatory and other specific training options available based on need and requirements.
- Support services, access to our counselling service, which is a private and confidential support service for our workers.
- Refer a friend: When you are working for us, you can refer a friend to our service and once they have completed the refer a friend working period you can be sent a £50 voucher for a shop of your choice.
- Can work in Variety settings, as we have two locations/bases as part of Achieving for Children Kingston and Richmond services.
- Flexible working hours. We have times when we need to support our young people but we can work with you to provide flexible working to fit in around our needs and your availability.
- Socials- Get togethers at each centre plus Kingston and Richmond socials.
- Plus additional ad hoc perks that come up over the year.
Start dates: Achieving for Children have meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
For more information about AfC: Drop in and meet Regina on the first Wednesday of every month at Civic Centre, Twickenham.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Play Support Worker - The Windham Croft Centre, Kew employer: Achieving For Children
Contact Detail:
Achieving For Children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Play Support Worker - The Windham Croft Centre, Kew
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with disabilities. Understanding their unique challenges and how to support them will not only help you in the role but also impress during any interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of child support and disability services. Attend local events or workshops to meet people who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities at Achieving for Children.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your flexibility and willingness to work varied hours, including evenings and weekends. Highlighting your availability can make you a more attractive candidate for this zero-hours contract position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase any relevant training or certifications you have, such as First Aid or Safeguarding. If you don’t have these yet, consider enrolling in courses to enhance your qualifications before applying.
We think you need these skills to ace Play Support Worker - The Windham Croft Centre, Kew
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Play Support Worker position. Tailor your application to highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the role.
Craft a Personal Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that reflects your passion for supporting children and young people, especially those with disabilities. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to include any previous experience working with children or in similar roles. Detail your responsibilities and achievements in these positions to showcase your ability to contribute effectively to the team.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Achieving For Children
✨Show Your Passion for Supporting Children
Make sure to express your genuine interest in working with children and young people, especially those with disabilities. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork Skills
As a Play Support Worker, you'll need to work closely with others. Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated in a team setting, and emphasise your ability to be flexible and supportive of your colleagues.
✨Understand Safeguarding Policies
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding policies and procedures, as this is crucial in the role. Be ready to discuss why safeguarding is important and how you would ensure the safety and well-being of the children in your care.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions during the interview. Think about how you would handle specific situations involving children with disabilities, such as managing challenging behaviour or ensuring inclusivity in activities. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
