Sense

Job Description

Buddying Project Assistants (4 positions available)

Responsible to:Young People’s Project Coordinator

Accountable to:Community Services Manager

Payscale:22-25

Term:2 Fixed Term Contract

Hours: Part time and Full time hours available

Location: Tower Hamlets

1.Description of Role

1.1To support the befriending and young people’s service coordinator in delivering a high quality, child-led and person centred befriending service in Tower Hamlets.

1.2Supporting volunteers and children/young people to develop strong partnerships. Enabling children and young people to access and enjoy the leisure activities and opportunities that they are passionate and interested in.

1.3Supporting the coordinator and volunteers to ensure that all activities are conducted in a safe manner, taking into account the children and young people’s needs and wants, and providing a balance between accessible risk taking and situations where people may come to harm.

2. Specific Responsibilities

2.1 Working with Children, Young People and their families to build services that meet the needs, wants and aspirations of the individual.

2.2Work alongside the service coordinate to develop and support a robust and flexible matching system, to ensure successful partnerships between volunteers and children/young people.

2.3Assist volunteers to gain confidence and develop skills by modelling good practice and motivating them to achieve the best for people they are supporting.

2.4Work with the coordinator, families, children and young people and volunteers to identify accessible and exciting activity opportunities in the area.

2.5To support children and young people to access activities and opportunities according to their wants and needs, in a safe way that balances risk and opportunity.

2.6To schedule and run an ongoing programme of activities and trips that children and young people can attend with their volunteers. Providing opportunities for people to meet and socialise.

2.7To contribute to training activities alongside the service coordinator and colleagues from the community services and volunteering teams.

2.8To work hands on with the children and young people both alongside volunteers and where necessary to cover volunteer absences to support the continued delivery of a high quality service. This could be 1:1 or group befriending

2.9To promote the Tower Hamlets befriending serviceby establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with children and young people and their families and professionals from local authorities, health and education.

3.Other

3.1To be conversant with the mission and values of Sense and understand perform all duties in accordance with statutory requirements and the policies and procedures of Sense.

3.2To follow current legislation and practice guidelines relating to health and safety and to the safeguarding of children.

3.3To comply with Sense policies and procedures regarding the operation of services, actively promoting the principles of equal opportunities and working in a manner that maintains a safe, healthy and supportive environment for the people we support.

3.4 To take part in an on call rota.

3.5To carry out any other duties commensurate with the nature and grade of this post.

Sense

Person Specification

Buddying Project Assistants

Education and Training
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Relevant training in supporting children and young people with disabilitiese.g. QCF level 2 in Health and Social Care, Playwork or Youth Worker / First Response/First Aid
Coaching or Mentoring Training
Willingness to complete any training required by the role
Achievements and Experience
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Proven experience of supporting children or young people with disabilities / Experience of working with children and young people with sensory impairments or autism
Demonstrable experience of working with families and children/young people to identify and meet their needs, wants and aspirations / Experience of supervising a team and/or motivating others to achieve best outcomes for the people they are supporting
Experience of providing play or leisure opportunities for children and young people with disabilities / Demonstrable experience volunteering in disability, health or social care settings
Demonstrable personal experience of and commitment to volunteering
Skills & Abilities
Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Able to deliver fun, safe and accessible activities for children and young people with disabilities / Previous experience of carrying out risk assessments, recognising the importance of balancing risk against opportunity
Good communication skills including when working with children and young people with non-formal communication methods
Proficient in the use of IT, including MS Office
Able to maintain accurate records and produce reports
Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends

Notes

  1. The post holder will be required to work unsociable hours on occasions including weekends and evenings.
  2. The post holder will be required to take part in a rolling on call rota.

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