At a Glance
- Tasks: Create and deliver engaging activities that empower customers to achieve their goals.
- Company: Join Riverside, a leading not-for-profit housing association making a real difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous holidays, flexible working, and personal development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in the community while supporting diverse individuals with complex needs.
- Qualifications: Experience in activity planning and understanding of vulnerable customer needs required.
The predicted salary is between 28860 - 28860 £ per year.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,860 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 Hours per week
Working Pattern: Rota, 5 days out of 7 can include weekends and bank holidays
Location: Hackney YP (complex needs), Islington
The difference you will make as an Activities Assistant:
You work collaboratively as part of a committed team to develop and deliver a programme of activities that puts customers first, empowering them to achieve their goals and aspirations. The programme of activities for a service should be co-created and co-produced with customers linking with external organisations to offer the maximum opportunity for individual customers’ growth. The role is working as part of a team that is committed to best practice to ensure that we continually improve service delivery.
About You:
- An understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable and diverse customer groups and individuals with complex needs.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Experience of devising and delivering activity programmes within supported housing environment.
- Knowledge of risk assessment and health and safety requirements.
- Experience of devising and delivering activity programmes within supported housing.
Why Riverside?
At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.
Working With Us, You’ll Enjoy:
- Competitive pay & generous pension
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays
- Flexible working options available
- Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
- A wide range of benefits
Diversity And Inclusion At Riverside:
We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. Riverside is a Disability Confident Employer and operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for any applicant who declares they have a disability. If the applicant meets the minimum requirements for the role (as set out in the role profile and/or person specification) they will be guaranteed an interview.
Role Profile:
Support Customers:- Use psychologically informed approaches and Trauma Informed Care principles – supporting customers to develop new ways of thinking and make steps towards independence.
- Co-producing and co-creating a programme of internal and external activities that is motivational to customers, aligning to customer support plans and goals, reflecting different customer needs, including culture and diversity.
- Develop links with local organisations that maximises opportunities that promote individual customer growth.
- Market programme of activities to ensure all customers have the opportunity and are encouraged to participate.
- Work closely with service team by coordinating, supporting and delivering the programme of activities to our customers.
- Identifying and promoting opportunities for employment, education and training and supporting customers to remove barriers to accessing these opportunities.
- Drive initiatives and assist in applying for grants and fundraising for planned activities and events.
- Carry out regular surveys and feedback to ensure the activities programme is meeting the needs of all customers in the services.
- Support service team to meet client outcome targets through key-working, support plans, risk assessments, and other interventions.
- Assist support team with day-to-day tenancy related issues, linking with external resources or developing relevant groups.
- Support with referrals and assessments, working with potential clients to identify suitable activity solutions.
- Inspiring and motivating customers to meet agreed outcomes and develop life skills.
- Ensure clients have access to relevant external support services.
- Ensuring the safety of our customers by following local safeguarding procedures, recognising and acting on any significant risk, and escalating appropriately.
- Ensure that service delivery complies with Riverside’s policies and procedures relating to equality and diversity.
- Produce and distribute activity programmes to all customers ensuring the programme content is appealing and up to date.
- Design and update a service directory which will enable customers to be signposted externally.
- Ensure that the views of customers are fully taken into account in the development and delivery of services.
- Develop and maintain local partnerships to provide a holistic range of support for customers, liaising with them to facilitate access to support.
- Ensure that notice boards are organised, well presented using corporate branded paperwork detailing daily and weekly activities.
- Support in advising and advocating on behalf of the customers, where applicable.
- Record and update clear, factual, accurate, strengths-based customer and statistical information on Riverside’s and external digital platforms.
- Carry out day-to-day administration and operational duties.
Other Information:
You will be required to work flexible hours to meet customer and business needs, which may not include normal office hours. You may be required to carry out local travel to meet customers' needs. Use the Lone Worker system as and when necessary. Ensure customers are safe at all times - carrying out all of your duties within Riverside’s Policy and Procedure framework e.g. health & safety, safeguarding, dignity at work, GDPR, cash handling, etc. Deliver your role in line with the Riverside company values – “Our Riverside Way”. Participate in team meetings, regular supervisions and reflective practice sessions. Undertake regular training and take responsibility for your own continuous development to enable you to deliver your role safely. From time to time you may be required to undertake additional duties and responsibilities in consultation with your Line Manager.
Person specification:
Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience:- An understanding of the barriers faced by vulnerable and diverse customer groups and individuals with complex needs.
- Ability to work on own initiative.
- Experience of devising and delivering activity programmes within supported housing environment.
- Knowledge of risk assessment and health and safety requirements.
- Experience of devising and delivering activity programmes within supported housing.
- Team player with a caring, empathetic, flexible and resilient, can-do attitude.
- Good time management and communication skills.
- Knowledge of Psychological or Trauma Informed approaches to support.
- Experience of working in challenging environments with the ability to plan, prioritise and organise tasks to achieve results.
- Experience of working in a care and support environment.
About Us:
Riverside is one of the UK’s leading not-for-profit social housing and regeneration organisations, owning or managing around 75,000 homes from Irvine to Kent. We are a leading provider of supported housing services, particularly for those affected by homelessness, and our track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods dates back over 90 years. We have plans to build over 15,000 affordable homes over the next decade.
Our Values and Behaviours: Creating an Inclusive Environment
Activities Assistant employer: Riverside
As a People Service Delivery Manager at our Liverpool location, you will join a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive pay, generous pension schemes, and flexible working options, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while investing in your personal and professional development. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion makes us an excellent employer, providing guaranteed interview opportunities for candidates from diverse backgrounds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Activities Assistant
✨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 Riverside.
✨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 Riverside!
✨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 Riverside, 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 Riverside 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 Activities Assistant
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 Riverside:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Riverside! 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 Riverside
✨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.
