At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Play Service Manager with practical and workplace assistance in a vibrant adventure playground.
- Company: Join a national charity dedicated to creating inclusive play environments.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, supportive work culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Work in an active outdoor setting with a focus on collaboration and creativity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by empowering a neurodivergent manager in their role.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and understanding of neurodiversity are essential.
The predicted salary is between 10360 - 10360 £ per year.
Support Worker (Personal Assistant to the Play Service Manager)
Location
Hackney Adventure Playground, Spring Lane, Big Hill, Hackney, London E5 9HQ
Hours
15 hours per week (Thursday, Friday, Saturday)
Contract
Fixed term until February 2027
Salary
£10,360 per annum
Role Overview
This role provides personal assistant, practical, and workplace support to the Play Service Manager, an adult employee working within a specialist Adventure Playground operated by a national charity.
Working within a strengths-based, neuro-affirming framework, you will support a manager with Au DHD (Autism and ADHD), recognising neurodivergent traits as natural differences rather than deficits.
The purpose of the role is to reduce workplace barriers, support wellbeing, and enable the manager to carry out their role effectively and sustainably.
Support will be collaborative, flexible, and led by the manager's preferences, needs, and consent.
Please note
This role is focused on supporting the Play Service Manager as an adult colleague and employee. It is not a role providing direct care or support to children.
Key Responsibilities
- Personal & Workplace Support
- Adapt the working environment to support regulation, focus, and sensory needs.
- Support mobility and physical wellbeing, including during periods of pain or fatigue.
- Recognise and respond to signs of overwhelm by adjusting demands, workload, or the environment where appropriate.
- Proactively plan for situations that may increase stress or anxiety.
- Prompt and support regular wellbeing breaks, including hydration, movement, and rest.
- Communication Support
- Support clear, respectful communication with staff, volunteers, partners, and external agencies.
- Help interpret or clarify information where needed.
- Support colleagues and stakeholders to understand the manager's communication style.
- Provide assistance during complex or sensitive workplace conversations.
- Adapt information into accessible formats and preferred learning styles.
- Work in ways that reduce the impact of rejection sensitivity and communication barriers.
- Collaboratively explore alternative perspectives where thinking becomes rigid or stuck.
- Organisation & Administrative Support
- Maintain and improve digital and paper-based filing systems.
- Support document management, reporting, and record keeping.
- Assist with financial administration, including petty cash, expenses, and invoices.
- Take meeting notes and maintain action records.
- Support the development of training materials, systems, and workplace processes.
- Identify and implement helpful software, digital tools, and organisational systems.
- Scheduling & Task Support
- Manage diaries, appointments, and schedules.
- Coordinate rotas, meetings, and team logistics.
- Draft, organise, and manage emails and correspondence.
- Provide reminders, prompts, and follow-up support for key tasks.
- Support prioritisation and protected time for focused work.
- Anticipate pressure points and plan supportive strategies in advance.
Person Specification
- Key Qualities
- Empathy and patience.
- Adaptability and flexibility.
- Creativity and initiative.
- Professional integrity.
- Resilience.
You will be comfortable working in an active, outdoor environment alongside a play service, while remaining focused on supporting the Play Service Manager in their professional role.
Essential Criteria
- Confident IT user, including MS Outlook, Word, Excel, and databases.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
- Strong communication skills across a range of communication styles.
- Experience working in a flexible, collaborative, and person-centred way.
- Understanding of neurodiversity, including stimming, masking, demand avoidance, and Au DHD profiles.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience providing personal assistant, workplace support, or support worker assistance to disabled or neurodivergent adults.
- Background in SEND, social care, community services, play, youth work, therapeutic settings, or arts-based environments.
- Knowledge of neurodiversity-informed frameworks such as Monotropism and the Double Empathy Problem.
- Confidence using social media and digital communication tools.
- Additional Information
- Primarily site-based in Hackney, with occasional off-site meetings or travel.
- Some flexible or home working may be available where appropriate.
- Enhanced DBS (Child & Adult Workforce) required due to the workplace setting.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Support Worker (PA to Service Manager) employer: KIDS'
At Kids, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions inclusivity and personal growth. Our supportive work culture fosters a neuro-affirming environment where employees are encouraged to thrive, with flexible working hours that promote a healthy work-life balance. Located in the vibrant Hackney Adventure Playground, we offer unique opportunities for professional development while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Support Worker (PA to Service Manager)
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like KIDS', grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at KIDS'. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through KIDS''s website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Support Worker (PA to Service Manager)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at KIDS'. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at KIDS'.
How to prepare for a job interview at KIDS'
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with KIDS'.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Support Worker (PA to Service Manager) at KIDS'.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show KIDS' that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Support Worker (PA to Service Manager) role.
