Outdoor Pursuits Assistant Instructor

Are you an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor committed to improving the lives of children and young people? We are looking for an Outdoor Pursuits Instructor to join our fantastic team at QPC working with children in our care.

**Job Purpose**

As a member of the QPC Outdoor Pursuits team, you will be motivated by your belief that every child can achieve and reach their potential. Whilst previous experience of working in an SEN environment would be desirable, excellent delivery skills and the right motivation, personal qualities and levels of resilience are just as important.

To help enhance learning opportunities for our young people, we now have an opportunity for an outdoor pursuits assistant to join our growing and successful team. You will be assisting in supporting the Outdoor Pursuit Instructors in delivering inclusive, responsive, and innovative sessions. You will constantly strive to provide exciting opportunities and experiences and always learning to ensure that all our children succeed. Under the reasonable direction of the instructor, Senior Outdoor Pursuits Co Ordinator, and the Senior Leadership Team, carry out the professional duties of an outdoor pursuits assistant instructor as set out in the current QPC policies.

**How the Outdoor Pursuits Team works?**

We will have three areas of focus which include:

- Area 1: Delivering Outdoor Pursuits Activities for QPC’s inhouse school (Lawrence House School) during term time assisting in delivering an Outdoor Pursuits programme designed by the Senior Outdoor Pursuits Co Ordinator with a multitude of activities including the Duke of Edinburgh award, between the hours of 8.30am - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
- Area 2: Delivering Outdoor Pursuits Activities for QPC’s six care homes during the school holidays, where you will be tasked with assisting in delivering the pre-set out Outdoor Pursuit programme with activities during the week. Hours of work will be set by the Senior Outdoor Pursuits Co Ordinator (between the hours of 08.00-21.00) ensuring that you meet you 40hours each week between Monday to Friday.
- Area 3: Assisting in delivering of anywhere up to a 6 Day Outdoor Pursuits residential trip from either QPC’s Narrow boat, QPC’s Mountain in Wales or either of their two caravans based in Wales. This provision is utilised on a when required basis (average 12 times a year) which is decided by QPC’s senior leadership team. You will be instructed on your location that you will be going to and will use a pre organised layout for the residential where you will provide activities with two other members of staff who will support you and will look after said young person for meals and general home care. You will be overall responsible for the care for said young person and staff onsite for the length of the residential. Your working hours will be between the hours of 07:00-23:00 and you will sleep onsite with the YP and other staff. Sleep hours will be between 23.00-07.00 which will include a £50 per night sleep (£50 a night is additional to annual salary).

**Responsibilities**
- Assisting in leading/instructing individuals or groups on a particular activity (e.g., hillwalking, mountain biking, caving)
- Briefing participants about safety and logistics
- Assisting in designing outdoor activity sessions for diverse groups
- Delivering training sessions or lessons in the outdoors and/or in a classroom environment
- Driving groups and equipment to the activity site (often involving a minibus and trailer)
- Complying with health and safety legislation, outlined by the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA), and according to in-house procedures
- Carrying out and updating risk assessments
- Recording accidents/incidents and writing incident reports
- Cleaning, maintaining and preparing equipment (e.g., climbing ropes, canoes, bikes)
- Assisting with catering and housekeeping duties
- Liaising with other outdoor users and organisations regarding local environmental conditions and site-specific issues (e.g., safety issues caused by rockfall)

You will assist in delivering short sessions and/or with a group on longer trips/expeditions. The role also extends beyond the activity itself - in residential homes you will be involved with general housekeeping duties and are responsible for all aspects of the welfare of the group.

**Skills**
- Sufficient competence in your specialist activities to be able to support and teach others undertaking that activity
- Excellent leadership, group management and communication skills
- The ability to empathise and support individuals in situations which are physically and emotionally demanding
- Good organisation and a logical approach
- Reliability and time-keeping skills
- Enthusiasm for the outdoor environment and your specialist activities
- Patience and tolerance towards those lacking in confidence or behaving in a challenging way
- A calm and reassuring demeanour
- The ability to assess a situation rapidly