555 Senior Support Worker

Employment

Part-time, Term-Time

Salary

£13.72 per hour

Location

Guildford

Hours

30 hours a week - 9am - 3pm, Mon - Fri

ABOUT US-

Challengers is a voluntary sector organisation providing play and leisure services to disabled children and young people across Surrey, Hampshire and in Richmond, Kingston, and Chichester.

Our 555 Service offers urgent support to families of disabled young people aged 8 – 19 who are currently out of education. This may be due to awaiting a suitable school placement, because the young person has been excluded, or because their current school place cannot provide the appropriate support. We offer a fun, safe space at Challengers during the day where our highly trained staff help young people build their confidence, and prepare them for a successful return to school.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES –

• Being a part of the 555 Project Team to provide a high quality, fun and friendly service for young people aged 8-18 years, some of which may be extremely vulnerable and may have been excluded from school setting. This may mean that they may show behaviour that challenges.
• Assisting the scheme Manager and Deputy in all aspects of caring and supervision of children and young people who attend Challengers– encouraging and supporting children to fully realise their abilities and providing a safe and happy play environment.
• To conduct yourself and represent the Charity in a manner which reflects all the values and principles of The Challengers Approach and always being an advocate for disabled children and young people at all times, including on social media.
• To provide all aspects of one-to-one, two-to-one or three-to-one care, personal, medical and intimate care, manual handling tasks and positive behaviour support for the young people who attend. This includes toileting, feeding and ensuring all care needs are met.
• To take lead working with a young person to ensure that their needs are met. This will include working collaboratively with a 555 Support worker in our buildings and out in the community with a young person.
• As a senior support worker, there may be times you are expected to support in the running of the day in the absence of the Manager and/or Deputy Manager. You will need to support a staff team in ensuring that the quality of care is continued at a high level.
• To support in delivering fun and inspiring 'play', by setting up structured activities and encouraging 'free play' amongst the groups. This includes doing out in the community with a young person to support in developing life skills.
• You are expected to prepare yourself for the day by reading the children's information sheets and care plans as well as completing some administrative tasks when required to support the Manager and Deputy. This can include supporting in sharing of information prior to a meeting.
• To ensure that the children and young people at 555 are supported physically and emotionally as required. The children and young people we work with are often in difficult and stressful situations and you will need to support them, showing appropriate physical and emotional affection at all times.
• To communicate with confidence and willingness to build relationships with different stakeholders – your team and children and young people are essential, but you will also need to build rapport with and share information with Parents at handover times when required.
• To work as part of a team – this includes communication, sharing information and passing on your skills to the team; As well as physical team work such as setting up the site, cleaning at the end of the day, running activities and supporting colleagues with physical tasks.
• To support the team to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act (information and training available from Challengers). Assisting the team at all Challengers venues and sites to maintain a clean, tidy, secure site – treating and using buildings, structures, toys and equipment with respect and care. Reporting any damaged equipment to the Manager and Deputy.
• To attend staff training to learn new skills which will help to develop an understanding of good practice in play and leisure for disabled young people. Where possible training will be provided in Farnham but you may be expected to travel to training that is not in Farnham. You may be expected to attend training at weekends.
• To report any concern about a child's welfare or safety in accordance with Challengers Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.

You'll be great if you have:

• An understanding and commitment to the development of high quality, interesting, fun and creative play opportunities for disabled children, even those with behaviour which requires extra support. Being passionate about providing activities that include all children on scheme.
• Experience of working with children and young people and want to develop your skills in supporting those with special educational needs.
• An ability to demonstrate the skills necessary to motivate, encourage, organise, lead and supervise the staff team in a professional manner in an informal environment

555 Senior Support Worker – April

Challengers is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS Check and satisfactory references.

Confidence can sometimes hold us back from applying for a job- There is no such thing as the perfect candidate. Challengers is a place where everyone can grow. We follow equal opportunities so however, you identify and whatever your background you bring with you, please apply if this is a role that would make you excited to come into work every day.

Closing Date – 01/12/2025

Interview – 04/12/2025