At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with additional needs at camp, ensuring they feel safe and included.
- Company: Barracudas, the UK's leading provider of children's holiday camps.
- Benefits: Competitive weekly salary, training opportunities, and a fun working environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to inclusivity and child wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Experience with children, strong communication skills, and a patient approach.
1:1 Support Staff play a vital role in helping children with additional needs feel safe, included and confident at camp. By using personalized strategies, building positive relationships and providing consistent, individual support, they help each child take part in activities, connect with their group and enjoy a positive camp experience. Through clear communication, patient guidance and strong supervision, they ensure the child can grow in confidence, make progress and get the most out of their time at Barracudas.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the child's integration into camp routines, activities and their group, using strategies outlined in their One-Page Profile.
- Follow all policies and procedures to ensure the child's safety, wellbeing and enjoyment throughout the day.
- Encourage positive behaviour and boundaries, helping create a safe, structured and fun environment.
- Promote participation, supporting the child to join activities, interact with peers and build confidence.
- Adapt communication methods (e.g., demonstrations, visual aids, modelling, role play) to help the child understand instructions and expectations.
- Maintain the child's welfare, monitoring their emotional, social and physical needs and responding appropriately.
- Communicate with parents/guardians at registration and collection, providing clear, professional feedback on progress and daily experiences.
- Liaise with the Inclusion Officer, ensuring full understanding of the child's needs and completing the Staff About Me page at least two weeks before starting.
- Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, reporting concerns immediately to the Senior Team or Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Ensure safe use of equipment during all activities the child attends.
- Carry out additional duties as required, in line with the needs of the child and the wider camp.
- Support additional camp activities, including Skills Builder sessions (where required) and swimming sessions.
This role involves working with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A successful applicant will be required to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including a check of the children's barred list.
Essentials:
- Experience working with children with additional needs.
- Ability to adapt support strategies to meet individual needs.
- Strong communication skills and a calm, patient and supportive approach.
- Confident managing behaviour and responding to unexpected situations.
- Able to build positive, trusting relationships with children and parents.
- Able to follow support plans, guidance and safeguarding procedures.
- Organised, proactive and able to use initiative when supporting a child.
Desirables:
- Experience in SEN, inclusion support or 1:1 roles.
- Qualified Teachers (QTS/QTLS) across all key stages.
- Level 2 or Level 3 Teaching Assistants.
- Training in behaviour support, autism awareness or communication strategies.
- Experience working in schools, childcare or holiday camps.
- Experience using visual supports, modelling or alternative communication methods.
- Paediatric First Aid Certificate.
Employment in this role is subject to completing all pre‑employment requirements, including being aged 18 or over by the start date, providing proof of eligibility to work in the UK, supplying satisfactory references, and holding or obtaining an Enhanced DBS check. All staff must complete mandatory training, including online modules, an in‑person Induction Training Day and any additional role‑specific briefings delivered by Central Office.
Barracudas is the UK's leading provider of children's holiday camps, helping young people build confidence, develop new skills and make new friends through a wide range of activities. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every child feels supported and valued. Safeguarding and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
Salary: £526.31-£663.48 per week (dependent on age, experience and qualifications).
1:1 support - Summer - Maidenhead, Berkshire employer: Barracudas Activity Day Camps
Barracudas is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its 1:1 Support Staff in Maidenhead, Berkshire. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we provide comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our staff are well-equipped to make a meaningful impact on children's lives. Our vibrant camp culture encourages collaboration and creativity, making it a rewarding place to work while helping children build confidence and develop new skills.
Contact Detail:
Barracudas Activity Day Camps Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 1:1 support - Summer - Maidenhead, Berkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the camp environment before your interview. Familiarise yourself with the activities and routines so you can show how you'd fit in and support the kids effectively.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Think about how you’d explain things to children with additional needs. Use clear, simple language and maybe even role-play some scenarios with a friend.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your experience! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children in the past. This will help us see how you can adapt your strategies to meet individual needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity at Barracudas.
We think you need these skills to ace 1:1 support - Summer - Maidenhead, Berkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through! We want to see how much you care about making a positive impact on their lives.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have with children, especially those with additional needs. We love seeing how you've adapted your support strategies in the past!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, so we can easily see why you'd be a great fit for our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with us at Barracudas.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barracudas Activity Day Camps
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a 1:1 Support Staff. Familiarise yourself with how to support children with additional needs and the importance of building positive relationships. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience working with children, especially those with additional needs. Prepare specific examples of how you've adapted your support strategies or communicated effectively in challenging situations. This will demonstrate your ability to meet the individual needs of each child.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since strong communication is key in this role, think about how you can showcase your skills during the interview. You might want to practice explaining complex ideas simply or using role play to illustrate how you'd communicate with a child. This will highlight your ability to adapt your methods to suit different situations.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions about the camp's approach to inclusion and support. Ask about their training processes or how they ensure a safe environment for children. This shows that you're proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
