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- Tasks: Support children with special needs through fun and educational activities.
- Company: Join Lewisham, a diverse community championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, generous holidays, and staff discounts including gym memberships.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while gaining valuable experience in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with children with special needs is essential; friendly and caring attitude required.
- Other info: Work at Rockbourne Youth Club; must be flexible with hours, including evenings and weekends.
The predicted salary is between 26000 - 31000 £ per year.
Job Description
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities!
We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK\’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
What\’s the role?
To work with children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities through fun, vibrant and educational activities that will promote their learning and development and meet their identified needs and outcomes.
What\’s in it for you?
Excellent training and development opportunities, plus a range of benefits including:
- Generous holiday allowance
- Local Government Pension scheme
- Flexible working and family friendly policies
- Season ticket and bicycle loans
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships
- Supportive staff networks
What we\’re looking for
We are looking for a friendly, caring, supportive and dedicated junior staff member to work with children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities through activity based support.
The successful candidate will be required to work 24 Saturdays a year, one evening a week during school term time and 6.5 weeks a year during the school holidays.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate some understanding and experience of working with children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities. They will also be required to demonstrate how they can work with these children and young people to develop their understanding and skills, while at the same time they have fun and enjoy being at the Short Breaks Service.
They must be able to communicate effectively with children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities and their parents/ carers. They must also be able to put in place strategies to manage their needs and that of the other children and staff in the Short Breaks Service.
Location
The job is based at Rockbourne Youth Club, 41a Rockbourne Road, Forest Hill, SE23 2DA.
Special conditions
- You must be able to work flexible hours, i.e. evenings and weekends, seasonally and occasional meetings outside normal working hours.
- Appropriate levels of numerous and literacy, to understand the tasks.
- The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check
The recruitment process is anonymous and we don\’t accept CV\’s.
Applicant handbook – please read the guidance in this handbook when applying. It is essential that you complete the application fully and that your supporting statement covers how you meet each of the person specification criteria listed.
For an informal discussion about this job, please contact Laura Cole, Short Breaks Centre Manager, at laura.cole@lewisham.gov.uk
Please click here to view the Job Description and Person Specification
Salary
£31,086 – £31,530 per annum pro rata (SC3)
N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply
The Council has a dedicated employment support service, Lewisham Works, which offers Lewisham residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you want to join Lewisham Works, please email JobsAndSkills@lewisham.gov.uk and an advisor will be in touch with you.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
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Junior Short Breaks Worker employer: Lewisham Council
Contact Detail:
Lewisham Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Junior Short Breaks Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities. Understanding their challenges and how to engage them in fun activities will set you apart during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Reach out to current or former employees of the Short Breaks Service to gain insights into the role and the work environment. This can help you tailor your approach and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully worked with children or young people, especially those with special educational needs. Highlighting these experiences will show your capability and passion for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your flexibility regarding working hours, as the role requires evenings and weekends. Showing that you are adaptable and willing to meet the needs of the service will make a positive impression.
We think you need these skills to ace Junior Short Breaks Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements. Highlight your understanding of working with children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities in your application.
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Ensure your supporting statement directly addresses each criterion listed in the person specification. Use specific examples from your experience that demonstrate your skills and understanding relevant to the role.
Follow Application Guidelines: Carefully read the applicant handbook provided by the company. Make sure you complete the application fully, as incomplete applications may not be considered.
Communicate Effectively: In your application, showcase your communication skills. Mention any experience you have in effectively communicating with children, young people, and their parents or carers, especially in challenging situations.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lewisham Council
✨Show Your Passion for Working with Children
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for working with children and young people, especially those with complex special educational needs and disabilities. Share any relevant experiences or stories that highlight your dedication and understanding of their unique needs.
✨Demonstrate Effective Communication Skills
Prepare to discuss how you would communicate effectively with both the children and their parents or carers. Think of examples where you've successfully engaged with children in a supportive manner, and be ready to explain your strategies for managing communication barriers.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since the role requires working flexible hours, be sure to emphasise your willingness to adapt to different schedules, including evenings and weekends. Share any past experiences where you successfully managed changing circumstances or worked outside of typical hours.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Anticipate questions that may involve hypothetical scenarios related to working with children with special educational needs. Think through how you would handle specific situations, such as managing challenging behaviour or creating engaging activities, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
