Therapeutic Support Worker

Are you passionate about working with young people?

Are you passionate about the way in which animals can help us make sense of the world, and help us learn?

We are an expanding organisation and we are recruiting at all three sites as part of our expansion.

We have three sites at different stage of development, and you can read more about these on our website. These are in Shamley Green, West Horsley and Liss. Due to expansion we are recruiting Learning Support Workers and this Therapeutic Support Worker role for all three sites.

This is a wonderful opportunity for the right person. We are particularly looking for people who have some established skills in working with young people with a range of needs. You will need to be resilient, as working with young people with complex needs can at times be challenging, as can working outside in all weather

Elysian is an animal assisted therapy and learning organisation, established in 2015. Our specialism is supporting children and young people with complex SEMH needs, though we work with all ages and needs outside of school hours and days.

All our roles involve an elements of ‘rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in’ and working creatively in ways to ultimately benefit the people we work with.

We offer you a friendly team, an outside work environment, a supportive place work, and future progression opportunities. We accept part time applicants (minimum 3 days per week) and we also accept term and non-term time applicants, along with welcoming applicants who wish to work a regular weekend day as part of their working week (not essential). The salary advertised is for a full time position, working 5 days per week.

You will be involved in all aspects of the day programme along with a multi-skilled and multi-disciplinary team. The challenges lies in finding the niche and individual factors that engage each individual, and supporting them to progress their goals and attainments.

Every day is different at Elysian. We work a a whole variety of needs and across ages.

During the day you may find yourself working 1-1 with a few young people or with a group.

Support Workers all have different areas of responsibilities within the organisation, and most will specifically work with children and young people who are finding engagement particularly difficult and need support to manage through the day. Support workers have specialist responsibility areas which vary depending on their expertise/passions/interests. This could include mental health, equine, behaviour support and/or a range of other areas.

The day and the activities we do are completely varied through every day and week, as these depend on the needs of individual needs and the activities arranged. The provision has a weekly and daily structured programme during term time, based on the young people’s Placement plans, and therapeutic goals. Support workers often particularly focus on supporting the emotional, behavioural and mental health needs of the children and young people who come to Elysian, and have levels or responsibilities as part of a team that together ensure children and young people are kept safe, given every possible opportunity available to them, whilst progressing their skills, abilities and educational and therapeutic goals. Support workers will also often supervise more Junior team members, volunteers and work experience placements.

You will get up close with a whole range of animals every day, from cows, goats and ponies, to undertaking animal care tasks with young people. You will be part of a 'everyone mucks in with everything' team, undertaking farm care tasks and animal care tasks on a daily basis, with children, young people and occasional adults, groups and families.

**Job Requirement**

The role holder will support a full range of Farm and Animal Assisted Therapeutic Activities working with a varied client base. This will consist of supporting children and young people with a vast variety of needs, including emotional, social, behavioural, learning and mental health needs.

The role holder will support children and young people referred to Elysian for education placement, therapy and learning placements and individual sessions, including providing 1-1 support. The role holder will also facilitate the sessions and various work experience and educational activities.

**Skills**:
Experience and Qualification
- Degree or higher education in a relevant field or extensive experience working with vulnerable children and young people.
- At least 3 years’ experience of direct client work.
- Qualifications and experience in AAT or Equine Assisted therapy is beneficial (including online learning e.g. BSY/Centre of excellence).
- Experience of SEND education setting.
- Experience in delivering psycho education workshops or supporting groups incorporating animals will be an added advantage.
- Confidence and knowledgeable in caring for animals.
- Sound knowledge of Safeguarding an