At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support learners with SEN towards paid employment.
- Company: Join Mencap, a passionate organisation driving change for people with learning disabilities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days of paid holiday, discounts, health plans, and more perks.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with growth opportunities and a focus on personal values.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience supporting people, delivering against targets, and knowledge of safe practices.
The predicted salary is between 28750 - 30000 £ per year.
Do you have experience of working with people with a learning disability? Are you passionate about working for an organisation that drives change? Then we may have the role for you within our Supported Internship team.
An exciting opportunity for a passionate and self-motivated Senior Skills Coach to join our Supported Internship programme team in Worcester on a full time (37.5 hour per week) basis.
As a Senior Skills Coach, your role is central to the delivery of our Mencap Training Academy programmes. You will lead a team of passionate Skills Coaches to support learners with SEN to complete all elements of the programme in line with requirements by providing tailored support.
Your role as a Senior Skills Coach:
- Line manage and coach a team to support learners to progress towards paid employment.
- Plan Skills Coach in work support hours to meet agreed targets to receive Access to Work funding.
- Support and ensure the team build and maintain good relationships with parents, carers, learner support networks and employers.
- Ensure accurate and up to date record keeping and reporting.
- Conduct quality assurance activity to drive constant improvement.
- Work closely with the wider team to ensure the needs of the learner are being met.
Do you have the key skills and requirements to be a Skills Coach? (essential):
- Experience of supporting people
- Experience of delivering against targets
- Experience of risk management
- Knowledge of sector
- Knowledge of safe working practices
- A-C/9-4 English & Maths GCSE (or equivalent)
All candidates offered an interview for this role will need to provide evidence of their GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) at interview stage. Please have your certificates ready to be emailed across if you are contacted for an interview.
Here at Mencap we operate a blinded recruitment process for a lot of our roles, please ensure you apply with a full application and covering statement.
Benefits: Here at Mencap, we offer an impressive range of benefits designed to support and reward our employees to ensure that our teams feel valued and appreciated. Our benefits package offers 32 days of paid holiday (including bank holidays, pro rata), along with a range of perks such as discounts at leading high-street retailers, access to health cash plans, interest-free loans, and many more exciting offerings.
About Mencap: Our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live their lives to the full. We campaign for a fairer society. We work with families and partners to build inclusive communities. And we deliver the services people need to live their lives. Everyone works with people with a learning disability either providing support or advice, or alongside one another as colleagues. Belonging at Mencap is for everyone, every day, everywhere. Everyone is expected to treat people well and make Mencap an inclusive organisation. Every day we grow and learn. It’s okay to make mistakes but we learn from them and make changes. Everywhere people will feel respected, valued, and safe to be themselves.
We have Belonging network groups that meet online and are open to all colleagues. The groups include people who identify as Black and Asian, LGBTQIA+, disabled or with a long-term health condition, women, parents and carers, and their allies. We want to encourage everyone to apply to work at Mencap and we offer a variety of different contract types and working patterns. We’re not looking for specific experience. It is your personality and values that will make you a great colleague. We will train and develop you to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Skills Coach in Worcester
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Mencap.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Mencap!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Mencap, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Mencap or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Skills Coach in Worcester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Mencap:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mencap! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mencap
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
