Activity Worker in Leeds

Salary: B3 £27,274 - £29,071 pro rata

Hours: 18 hours

Contract: Permanent

Location: West Leeds Activity Centre (LS12 2RE)

As an Activity Worker, you’ll thrive on inspiring children, young people and adults through inclusive, high-quality outdoor activity programmes that build confidence, team building, resilience and wellbeing. It’s not about just leading activities, it’s about actively shaping safe, meaningful experiences which make a real difference to lives across Leeds.

About you

• An NVQ / VRQ Level 3 qualification related to working with young people, or equivalent relevant experience, – canoeing, paddleboarding, climbing, bushcraft & survival skills, archery, history/science curriculums, team activities or other outdoor education skills
• Experience of working directly with children and young people, including those with diverse emotional, behavioural, educational or physical needs
• The ability to plan and deliver engaging, inclusive activity sessions
• A passion for helping others achieve through outdoor adventure
• A strong understanding of health and safety, risk awareness and safe working practices
• A clear understanding of safeguarding relating to work with children and young people

About the role

If you’re passionate about the outdoors and making a real difference, this is a role where no two days are the same. As an Activity Worker, you’ll help deliver exciting, purposeful outdoor activity programmes at our activity centres, working with schools, youth groups, children and adults taking part in adventurous experiences. You’ll play a key role in creating welcoming, supportive environments where people feel safe, confident and encouraged to challenge themselves.

You’ll help deliver a broad and vibrant programme of activities, including school visits, team-building sessions, birthday parties and holiday clubs. Activities range from climbing, bushcraft and archery to problem-solving challenges, paddle sports, environmental and outdoor learning, all thoughtfully adapted to meet a wide range of abilities and needs. There are also opportunities to deliver curriculum-linked sessions to history, science and sustainability in our nature-based school trips, making this an ideal role if you love bringing learning to life beyond the classroom.

As part of our commitment to reaching more communities, we also deliver activities at schools, community events and public fairs. We are particularly keen to hear from climbers who can drive and tow equipment to support this outreach work. You’ll work closely with the team to plan, deliver and review high-quality sessions, help maintain equipment, and ensure everything we do is underpinned by strong health & safety, equality, diversity and safeguarding principles.

The role requires a flexible approach to working hours. The position is 18 hours per week, delivered across three days. This will include some evening and weekend work, across both term-time and holiday periods, to meet operational needs. There may also be opportunities for additional hours during peak periods (April to September). The main location for this role is West Leeds Activity Centre, although you will at times be required to work at our other activity centre Herd Farm Residential and Activity Centre to support business needs.

This role offers the chance to grow your skills through training, reflection and teamwork, while making a lasting, positive impact in communities.

What we offer you

• Inclusive and welcoming workplace.
• Friendly and vibrant team who are passionate about the outdoors and helping others achieve.
• Access to high quality activity specific training and support.
• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays.
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions.
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further.

How to apply

Please complete the online application form. Read our guidance for further advice on completing your application.

If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact: Vince Foster – West Leeds Activity Centre Manager, 0113 336 7414, 07891 274522 Westleedsactivitycentre@leeds.gov.uk

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Please ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job purpose: To deliver activity programmes working directly with young people to develop innovative and inclusive activity sessions (curriculum linked) for children and young people with a wide range of emotional/behavioural educational and physical needs.

Responsibilities:

• Plan deliver and monitor activities to ensure smooth operation of services to meet the needs of children and young people.
• Encourage young people to participate in activities.
• Ensure basic maintenance of activity equipment is built into session time.
• Assist in the development of the service, by planning, delivery, reviewing activity programmes.
• Encourage young people to participate in design, delivery, and review of programmes.
• Encourage young people to take responsibility for their learning and actions.
• Create an environment in which it is safe and appropriate to challenge young people’s thinking, attitude, and behaviour.
• Contribute to performance targets.
• Ensure that all aspects of the work are underpinned by the principles of equality and diversity.
• Create and maintain a safe environment in accordance with health and safety policy and legislation.
• Work with young people on activity related maintenance of equipment.

The hours of work are primarily determined by the needs of the service the position requires flexible working arrangements involving weekly activity rotas, evening activity sessions and weekend working. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.

To participate in appraisal, training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills. To improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes. To work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice. Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g. child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding and promoting the values, standards and equal opportunities of Leeds City Council. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment or victimisation and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.

The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications: NVQ / VRQ level 3 related to work with young people or relevant experience is essential.

Essential requirements: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills Required:

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• A flexible approach to working hours with the ability to take part in weekly activity rotas, including evening and weekend activity sessions.
• Able to establish and maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people.
• Able to work effectively with children and young people in groups.
• Able to involve young people in design and development of sessions.
• Able to work with young people to safeguard their welfare.
• Able to support young people to use learning to enhance their future development.
• Able to record and evaluate sessions.
• Able to lead on responding to immediate health and safety issues.
• Able to recognise and challenge prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination.
• Able to deliver a range of activities and resources which promotes confidence and ensures all can participate.
• Able to lead on a range of activities i.e. climbing/art/environment.
• Able to contribute to all activities on offer.

Knowledge Required:

• NVQ / VRQ level 3 related to work with young people or relevant experience.
• Of activity specific qualification i.e. climbing/cycling/art.
• Of issues affecting young people.
• Of safeguarding and welfare issues.
• Of local and national policies and their relationship to the centres work.
• Understanding of responsibilities in terms of Health and Safety, security, confidentiality, and data protection.

Experience Required:

• Of working in a youth work/school environment.
• Of enabling young people to work effectively in groups.
• Of enabling young people to explore their values and self-respect.
• Of enabling young people to use their learning to enhance their future development.
• Of working with young people to safeguard their welfare and developing awareness for self-identity.
• Of effectively planning, recording, and evaluating activity sessions with young people.
• Of working as an effective and reflective practitioner.

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics:

• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon.
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.

The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements: It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

Skills Required:

• Driving Licence