Buddy - Children & Young People SENDCAS

About Us

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The Role

We are seeking enthusiastic, caring and reliable buddies to join our SENDCAS short breaks team. We are looking for individuals who can commit to working both during term time and school holidays. As a Buddy, you will work alongside Playworkers and Team Leaders to help create a safe, fun, and inclusive environment where children and young people with additional needs can relax, play, explore new activities and build independence. You will work as part of a supportive team to plan and deliver creative play and leisure activities during term-time sessions and school holidays. These run term time Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings. During the holidays, the activities run all week, for a full day.

This role is ideal if you are:

• Passionate about making a positive difference
• Looking for flexible work alongside study or other commitments
• Keen to gain hands-on experience working with children and young people with SEND

Key Responsibilities

• Support children and young people with SEND to take part in fun, safe and stimulating activities
• Work as part of a supportive team to ensure high-quality care and supervision
• Respond sensitively to children’s emotional, physical and developmental needs
• Encourage independence, confidence and life skills
• Communicate effectively with children, parents/carers and colleagues
• Help create an inclusive environment where every child feels valued and respected
• Follow safeguarding, health & safety, equality and council policies at all times
• Attend mandatory training, supervisions and team meetings
• Commit to term time and holiday working

This position is exempt under the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions) Order 1975 and is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check.

About You

We are looking for an individual who is passionate about supporting children with additional needs and who possesses the following skills and experience:

Essential Criteria

• Maths and English GCSE grade C or above, or equivalent (or must be prepared to work towards this within 12 months of start date).
• Experience (paid or voluntary) working with children or young people with additional needs
• An ability to record observations of children interests, participation and comply with any written procedures.
• Basic IT skills, e.g. Word, email
• Ability to work effectively as part of a dynamic, positive team.
• An ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children and parents/carers is essential.
• Ability to engage with or experience of working with young people who have special needs, including challenging behaviour, medical conditions or physical disabilities.
• Understand and respect personal boundaries and responsibilities.
• Understanding of the impact of discrimination faced by disadvantaged groups.
• Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
• Ability to work flexibly, creatively using own initiative and within policies and procedures.
• Willingness to undertake further training as necessary.
• Satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure certificate (arranged prior to a start date) and to sign up the DBS update service and maintain annual renewal.

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant childcare/early years, health and social care, LSA, qualification
• Paediatric First Aid and Food and Hygiene certificate is desirable.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Local Government Pension
• Opportunities for professional development
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums
• Dedicated in house Wellbeing Team

Equal Opportunities

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.