Support Worker – Leisure for All in Wigan

Support Worker – Leisure for All in Wigan

Wigan Temporary 26824 - 29540 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support children with disabilities in fun leisure activities and help them build friendships.
  • Company: Join Wigan Council, an award-winning team dedicated to making a difference.
  • Benefits: Flexible working hours, competitive pay, and exclusive rewards for your hard work.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while enjoying creative and sensory play.
  • Qualifications: Experience with children and a passion for inclusive support.
  • Other info: Open House sessions available for informal chats and insights into the role.

The predicted salary is between 26824 - 29540 £ per year.

Salary: Grade 5, £26,824 - £29,540 per annum pro rata based on 37 hours per week. £13.90 - £15.31 per hour.

There are 5 positions working 18 x 4.75-hour sessions in term time, plus 49 hours mandatory training. Temporary until 31st March 2027.

We are committed to fostering diverse teams where everybody can bring their authentic selves to work and feel that they belong. If you want to work for a Council where everybody is encouraged to meet their full potential and make a difference in our neighbourhoods, we would love to hear from you.

About you: Are you a person that enjoys messy, creative and sensory play with children with disabilities? Do you think that you could make a positive impact on the lives of children with disabilities? If you answered yes to these questions, we would love to hear from you.

We have 5 new, exciting opportunities to join our award-winning team. Due to some additional funding, we will be offering 18 short break sessions throughout the year in term time. We also have 5 HAF funded positions being advertised alongside these positions. Applicants are welcome to apply for both positions. This is a real opportunity to make a difference to the lives of children with disabilities and their parents/carers.

Your role: You will work within a small, caring and enthusiastic team providing short breaks for children with disabilities and complex health needs. You will support the children to enjoy a mix of exciting leisure/social activities and encourage appropriate friendships within a group setting, both within a community base and in the local community.

About us: Wigan Council has been voted ‘Overall Council of the Year’ at the APSE (Association for Public Service Excellence) Awards. We are signed up to the Greater Manchester Continuous Service Commitment ensuring that your service will be continuous or 'unbroken' between the supporting organisations. The Progress with Unity plan is a place movement for change for the next decade, bringing a new era for Wigan Borough.

You will be highly motivated, enthusiastic and you’ll be a great communicator. Experienced in working with children, you will take pride in the work and be ready for the challenges and responsibilities that go hand in hand with the role. You’ll be eager to make a difference to the lives of the children we support and will be committed to ensuring they are included and championed within the local community.

Here at Wigan, we are proud to support flexible working patterns, when the service can accommodate this. We also take a blended approach to where we work, depending on the work we do. This may include working from home, the office, or the community. We like to thank our employees for their hard work and commitment by giving them the opportunity to access a range of exclusive rewards and benefits.

The Leisure for All team offers short breaks to parents and carers by offering leisure time activities in the evenings, weekends and school holidays to children with disabilities and complex health needs aged 5-19 years inclusive. The posts will provide 18 x 4.75 hour short break sessions to children referred to the service from within the Wigan area.

To be appointed to this role you must be able to prove your right to work in the UK. Please visit the link below to check you qualify to apply. Please note, at present we are not a licenced sponsor.

If you wish to have an informal chat about this post prior to applying, please feel free to contact: Katie Austin Senior Support Worker: 01942 486062 / k.austin@wigan.gov.uk or Kelly Piper Manager on 01942 486062 / k.piper@wigan.gov.uk.

If you are interested in the posts, we are holding 2 Open House sessions for people to visit the centre, speak with managers and team members and really get a feel for what the service offers and have a short, informal interview. For our planning and for numbers please ring 01942 486062 stating which session you will be attending:

  • Wednesday 18th February from 5pm to 7pm
  • Monday 23rd February from 11.30am to 1pm

This position is subject to Enhanced Disclosure Procedures plus child and adult barred list check. The employer is committed to safeguarding.

Support Worker – Leisure for All in Wigan employer: Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd

Wigan Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where every team member can thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working patterns, and a focus on making a meaningful impact in the community, you will find a supportive culture that values your contributions. Join our award-winning Leisure for All team and be part of a transformative journey that enriches the lives of children with disabilities in Wigan.
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Contact Detail:

Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Support Worker – Leisure for All in Wigan

Tip Number 1

Get to know the team! Before applying, check out our website and social media to see what we're all about. Understanding our values and mission will help you connect with us during interviews.

Tip Number 2

Don’t just show up—shine! When you attend our Open House sessions, be yourself and let your passion for supporting children with disabilities come through. Share your experiences and ideas; we love hearing from enthusiastic candidates!

Tip Number 3

Follow up after your chat! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows you're genuinely interested in the role and helps keep you on our radar as we make decisions.

Tip Number 4

Be ready to discuss your creative side! We want to know how you’d engage children in fun activities. Think of examples or activities you could bring to the table that align with our mission of making a difference.

We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker – Leisure for All in Wigan

Experience working with children
Creative play facilitation
Sensory play skills
Communication Skills
Teamwork
Enthusiasm
Motivation
Ability to support children with disabilities
Understanding of complex health needs
Commitment to inclusion
Ability to build friendships in group settings
Flexibility in working patterns
Community engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with children with disabilities shine through. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your passion for making a positive impact in their lives.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Support Worker role. Use keywords from the job description and demonstrate how your skills and experiences align with what we're looking for.

Be Authentic: We want to see the real you! Don’t be afraid to express your personality in your application. Highlight your unique qualities and how they can contribute to our diverse team at Wigan Council.

Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to submit your application through our official website. This ensures it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently.

How to prepare for a job interview at Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd

Know Your Stuff

Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Support Worker in leisure activities for children with disabilities. Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of these children and think about how your experiences can contribute to their enjoyment and development.

Show Your Passion

During the interview, let your enthusiasm shine through! Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your love for working with children, especially those with disabilities. This will help demonstrate your commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare some questions to ask the interviewers about the team, the activities offered, and how they measure success in their programmes. This shows that you're genuinely interested in the role and want to ensure it's a good fit for both you and the organisation.

Be Yourself

Remember, they want to see the real you! Be authentic and let your personality come through. The right fit is as much about your character and values as it is about your skills and experience, so don’t be afraid to show who you are.

Support Worker – Leisure for All in Wigan
Career Choices Dewis Gyrfa Ltd
Location: Wigan

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