Children and Young People Support Worker – Coventry and North Warwickshire

Midland Mencap; Coventry; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player in the care sector is seeking a dedicated CYP Support Worker to empower children and young people with complex needs. This role involves providing high-quality support and fun experiences while ensuring safety and wellbeing. You'll work within a passionate team, utilizing your interpersonal and problem-solving skills to create a stimulating environment for social and recreational activities. If you have a warm personality and a commitment to excellence, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young individuals while receiving comprehensive training and support.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people with complex needs.
• Ability to motivate and encourage participation in activities.

Responsibilities

• Support children in arts, crafts, and sports activities.
• Ensure safety and wellbeing through safeguarding practices.
• Mentor new staff during their probationary period.

Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Teamwork

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Creativity

Initiative

Ability to use person-centred approaches

Physical Activity Participation

Education

Relevant Qualifications (e.g., Pediatric First Aid)

Job description

JOB TITLE:

CYP Support Worker

EMPLOYMENT STATUS:

Flexible

RESPONSIBLE TO:

Children and Young People’s Co-Ordinator’s

SALARY:

£12.00 per hour

HOURS:

Zero-hour/ variable hour contract includes weekends & school holidays

WHERE:

Coventry and North Warwickshire

Who We Look for?

Are you a warm, personable, and highly motivated individual who can empower and support a team and children and young people with complex needs and disabilities?

Do you have a passion for what you do, are a strong communicator, team player and have good problem-solving skills?

The support worker will work alongside an experienced and established team of support workers across the West Midlands region.

We place a high value upon integrity, ethical standards, and a commitment to excellence.

If you have experience leading and managing a team and experience working with children and young people with complex disabilities, that’s a bonus. But don’t be put off if not. We value transferable skills from other sectors and provide comprehensive training to all our staff.

What does a CYP Support Worker do?

Midland Mencap is looking to appoint support workers who have a passion and dedication to providing high-quality fun and safe experiences for our children and young people. They will be able to follow a person-centred approach when providing activities and support for children and young people with complex needs.

They will take the lead for specific tasks as designated by the coordinator, undertake training, and take responsibility for children/young people who require tube feeding or emergency medication. Ensure that all information for a designated group of children is kept up to date including “All About Me’s” protocols and risk assessments.

Support workers will ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by proactively managing safeguarding principles and practices. They will strive to maintain a safe, creative and stimulating environment for children and young people’s social, leisure and recreational activities. Support workers are expected to mentor and support new staff during their probationary period.

Key Tasks:

1. Attend sessions and staff briefings promptly before and after sessions on a planned basis to discuss and assess the progress of the service.
2. Be available to work a minimum of 3 shifts a month to support the needs of the CYP service and delivery, which may include sessions and community support shifts.
3. Support children & young people to participate in arts and crafts, games, sports, drama, music, & outings.
4. Support children and young people in accessing the community for social skills and planned activities.
5. Be aware and respond to health and safety issues, proactively reporting concerns to the children and young person’s coordinator.
6. Follow financial and administrative procedures as directed by the Children and Young Person’s Coordinator.
7. Follow first aid procedures and keep records of all accidents, incidents, and treatment given.
8. Provide personal care when needed, respecting the dignity and privacy of the individual at all times.
9. Monitor and evaluate children and young peoples’ progress through observation and record keeping each session.
10. Promote Midland Mencap to families and other agencies.
11. Ensure responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Health and Safety legislation, and Midland Mencap’s Equal Opportunities and Child Protection Policies.
12. Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children, young people, parents and carers, staff, and volunteers.
13. Be available to work flexible hours across Coventry and/or North Warwickshire.
14. Participate in mandatory planned meetings with the Children and Young Person’s co-ordinator and other Midland Mencap colleagues.
15. Adhere to and implement organisational policies and procedures.
16. Attend training courses as required to develop knowledge and skills to improve the quality of service.
17. Travel using public transport to get to and from children’s and young person’s homes to provide community support and activities.
18. Carry out any other tasks that are deemed appropriate within your job role and the aims of the organisation.

Knowledge and Experience

Essential:

1. Working as part of a team
2. Ability to motivate and encourage children and young people with complex needs to participate in activities
3. Understanding of alternative methods of communication that could be used with non-verbal children and young people
4. Planning and delivery of creative programmes to meet individual levels of ability and need
5. Training relating to the role and willingness to complete further training as the needs of the children and young people develop.
6. Ability to participate in sports and other physical activities
7. Teamwork and working alone using own initiative

Skills

Essential:

1. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a wide range of people.
2. Proactive and focused
3. Effective team player
4. Ability to work on own initiative
5. Willingness to undertake an enhanced DBS
6. Ability to use person-centred approaches to plan & deliver social, leisure and recreational opportunities for children and young people with learning disabilities and complex needs
7. Ability to communicate effectively with colleagues, parents, carers, children & young people
8. Good written and verbal communication skills
9. Practical arts, crafts, music, drama, sports or games skills
10. Experience in a position of responsibility

Desirable:

1. Experience of working within an Ofsted and CQC regulated environment/setting.
2. Full driving license and access to a car with willingness to commute across the designated geographical area.
3. Relevant qualifications such as Pediatric First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, Level 2 or 3 Childcare.

This job description is an outline of the duties and responsibilities a CYP Coordinator will be expected to fulfil. It may be reviewed at any time according to the changing needs of the service.

Midland Mencap reserves the right to alter the content of this job description, after consultation, to reflect changes to the position without altering the general character or level of responsibility. The duties carried out in this job description must be carried out in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity, dignity and due respect of all employees and citizens and is consistent with Midland Mencap equal opportunities policy.