CYP Senior Support Worker – 6 months Fixed Term

Midland Mencap; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Senior Support Worker to empower children and young people with complex needs. This role involves creating engaging activities, leading sessions, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of participants. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and problem-solving skills, with a passion for making a difference in the lives of those they support. Join a committed team where your contributions will foster a nurturing environment for growth and development. If you are motivated, warm, and ready to make an impact, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience leading sessions and planning activities for children with complex needs.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Create themed session plans and facilitate activities for children and young people.
• Ensure safety and wellbeing through proactive safeguarding practices.

Skills

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Team Player

Leadership

Integrity

Education

Experience with children with disabilities

Training in safeguarding

Job description

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Fixed Term September 2024 – March 2025.

SALARY: £12.90 per hour

HOURS: 28 hours per week: Sunday – Thursday

WHERE: Pinewood/ head office as well as Birmingham & Coventry session cover

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 senior 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 children’s sessions, planning activities, and working with children and young people with complex disabilities, as well as their families and multi-professionals, we welcome you to apply. However, we strongly value transferable skills from other sectors and provide comprehensive training to all our staff.

What does a CYP Senior Support Worker do?

Midland Mencap is looking to appoint a senior support worker to create exciting and unique activity planning which will enhance the delivery of our short breaks sessions. Our senior support worker will 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 producing activities and support for children and young people with complex needs.

They will be responsible for facilitating sessions across our West Midlands Service and leading our weekly Youth Club sessions and supporting our After School Club, working with external agencies such as social workers and schools to complete quality assessments for new referrals.

Safeguarding our children and young people will be at the forefront of the role, and as a facilitator of a session, the Senior Support Worker will need to have the confidence in reporting, recording, and initially managing any arising concerns in a timely manner in line with Midland Mencap’s Safeguarding policies and procedures. They will ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by proactively managing safeguarding principles and practices.

The senior support worker will have a willingness to undertake specific training required for the role, as well as taking responsibility when leading sessions for aspects such as administering feed tubing or emergency medication. They will also strive to maintain a safe, creative, and stimulating environment for children and young people’s social, leisure, and recreational activities.

During sessions, senior support workers will be expected to be a positive role model and mentor to new staff during their probationary period, providing regular feedback to the coordinators. As a senior support worker, you will be an enthusiastic, motivated individual who can use your own initiative, support all children and young people, and work well within the established teams.

Key Tasks:

1. Create and produce themed session planning on a weekly basis for our sessions, whilst liaising with the CYP coordinator team to ensure they have sufficient resources and equipment to run sessions.
2. Arrange and attend assessments for new referrals and complete a full assessment.
3. Take the lead for specific tasks as designated by the CYP Service Manager/operation manager.
4. Facilitate sessions during weekends and school holidays, as well as support in leading youth club and after school club.
5. Mentor and support new staff during their probationary period.
6. Undertake training and take responsibility for children/young people who require tube feeding or emergency medication.
7. Ensure that all information for a designated group of children is kept up to date including “All About Me’s” protocols and risk assessments.
8. Ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people by proactively managing safeguarding principles and practices.
9. Maintain a safe, creative, and stimulating environment for children and young people’s social experiences whilst accessing our short breaks service.
10. Support children & young people to participate in arts and crafts, games, sports, drama, music, & outings.
11. Be vigilant to and respond to arising or potential health and safety issues in the first instance.
12. Follow financial and administrative procedures, such as ensuring staff are completing correct timesheets.
13. Follow first aid procedures and keep records of all accidents, incidents, and treatment given, reporting these to the line manager.
14. Provide personal care when needed, respecting the dignity and privacy of the individual at all times.
15. Monitor and evaluate children and young peoples’ progress through observation and record keeping.
16. Promote and network Midland Mencap to families and other agencies.
17. Ensure that responsibilities are carried out in accordance with Health and Safety legislation, and Midland Mencap’s Equal Opportunities and Child Protection Policies.
18. Ensure appropriate professional boundaries with children, young people, parents and carers, staff, and volunteers are maintained across the service.
19. Be available to work flexible hours city-wide and cover in other regions Midland Mencap delivers support when necessary.
20. Participate in planned regular meetings with the Children and Young Person’s coordinator and other Midland Mencap colleagues.
21. Attend planned/compulsory training.
22. Adhere to and implement organisational policies and procedures.
23. Carry out any other tasks that are deemed appropriate within your job role and the aims of the organisation.