At a Glance
- Tasks: Support a child with special needs in engaging with peers and activities.
- Company: A caring charity dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Join bonus, flexible working, 25+ days holiday, and discounts on childcare and activities.
- Other info: Access to professional development and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a child's life while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Level 3 Childcare qualification and experience with children with disabilities.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 25000 £ per year.
Benefits to you
- Joining Bonus! Total of £500
- Refer a Friend Scheme
- Health Cash plan – Including Medical/Dental/Online retail discounts
- Blue Light Card eligibility
- 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays FTE, increasing with length of service up to a maximum of 30 days
- Option to purchase additional leave (up to 10 days per annum)
- Celebration Leave
- Flexible working
- Career development
- 50% discount on nursery fees
- Enhanced Maternity
- Day camps discounts: 1 week free and 1 week at 50% per child per annum
- Campsite and activities discounts at YMCA Fairthorne Manor: campsite, river hire, activities, day camps
- 30% discount on food in Cafes: Eastleigh and Andover
- Wellbeing assistance programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Good quality resources and a modern environment
- A welcoming, caring and supportive culture
Job Purpose
Practitioners are paired 1:1 with a child with special needs, which may include physical disabilities, learning difficulties, sight or hearing impairment or emotional or behavioural difficulties. Practitioners may also support leaders within a group where there are several children who do not require individual attention but collectively may need additional supervision.
Duties and Responsibilities
- To work with a designated child as a 1:1 carer to ensure that they can engage with a group of nondisabled peers and participate in the activities on offer.
- Actively engaging children/young people, providing encouragement and support.
- Being a welcoming and caring individual and an inspirational role model.
- Working with and respecting others in a large and diverse team.
- To support and champion the child ensuring that their individual needs are identified, acknowledged and met.
- To ensure good communication is maintained with parents, carers and colleagues. Specifically, this will involve providing a daily written handover report.
- Depending on the individual the role may require aspects of personal and intimate care or giving/witnessing the giving of medication.
- The role may require aspects of manual handling and behaviour management.
- To report all concerns with regards to Safeguarding and Health and Safety to your line manager.
- At the end of each day, you will be required to complete a handover to parents/carers or to ensure that your child is handed over to a transport escort with appropriate notes and feedback for parents.
Person Specification & Key Competencies
Qualifications/Experience
- Essential
- Minimum level 3 Childcare qualification
- Experience of care/1:1 support work for children with disabilities
- Good knowledge of safeguarding
- Behavioural management experience
- Desirable
- Experience working with children with special needs aged 4 months – 5 years
- Paediatric First Aid
- Willingness to perform personal care
Professional Development Opportunities
Access to 26 online professional development modules. Inspiring opportunities to work in different settings and share practice.
Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.
SEN 1:1 Practitioner – Term Time Only in Andover employer: YMCA Fairthorne Group
As a SEN 1:1 Practitioner at our organisation, you will thrive in a welcoming and supportive culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With benefits such as a joining bonus, flexible working options, and extensive career development opportunities, we are committed to fostering a rewarding environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of children with special needs. Located in a vibrant community, our modern facilities and access to various discounts ensure that your work-life balance is well-supported.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEN 1:1 Practitioner – Term Time Only in Andover
✨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 YMCA Fairthorne Group.
✨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 YMCA Fairthorne Group!
✨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 YMCA Fairthorne Group, 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 YMCA Fairthorne Group 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 SEN 1:1 Practitioner – Term Time Only in Andover
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 YMCA Fairthorne Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YMCA Fairthorne Group! 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 YMCA Fairthorne Group
✨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.
