TYPE:                     Contracted or Casual  

LOCATIONS:           Reigate, Tadworth, Worcester Park, Leatherhead

STATE:                     East Surrey

ZIP CODE:                 RH2   

WORK STYLE:           On Site

DESCRIPTION:

Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential, with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage.

We are recruiting for a Disability Leader to join our CYP - Disability Services team. You will be responsible for overseeing, delivering and leading Short Breaks Club sessions for children and young people who have a disability or additional needs, and to ensure that all safeguarding, regulator and health & safety requirements are being met. 

This role requires someone with Child Care/Youth Work level 2 / 3 or equivalent qualification (or working towards) or a willingness to work towards this; relevant training in positive behaviour management, positive touch and epilepsy; Introduction to Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults or willingness to undertake; Food Hygiene training or a willingness to complete this

Key responsibilities:

·         To take responsibility of the day to day running of Children and Young People’s services to ensure that the service provided is safe, high quality and appropriate for the children and young people who attend.

·         When the coordinator/manager is not available to act as the responsible person in charge of the scheme.

·         To take a lead during sessions of ensuring that are aware of what all children are doing and that they are signed into and out of the service correctly

·         To build trusting relationships with children and young people that enable them to benefit from the services provided.

·         To lead a team of play workers and volunteers, supporting them with their roles and knowing when to get further support from more senior team members. 

·         To ensure that all children and young people upon their arrival are welcomed and feel comfortable and valued enabling the development and improvement of self-esteem, self-confidence and positive experiences

·         When required to ensure that appropriate care plans and risk assessments are carried out for specific children and young people to meet any additional needs.

·         Where appropriate to work with parents and families, checking that we have the correct information about the children and young people that attend. To ensure that parents and carers are kept informed of incidents/ accidents or other issues relating to their children. 

·         To contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of activities, ensuring they are adapted where appropriate to be accessible to all children and young people to the best of their abilities, using and checking children’s Care Plans.

·         To work closely with individuals and where appropriate their families to offer a range of free play opportunities as well as a structured programme of social, play and leisure activities to the varying ages and needs of the children attending the service.

·         To prepare and plan the session planning documents to ensure smooth running of the day. Including allocation of staff members, toileting record, daily staff logs and lunch rota.

·         To supervise the activity environment to ensure physical and emotional/personal safety for all children and young people attending. This includes completing appropriate records of any accidents, injuries or incidents that may occur and any medication administered

·         Ensure children’s choices are evidenced and feedback gathered from children in a suitable manner.

·         To provide and supervise the hygienic provision of refreshments for the children/young people, recognising the principles of a balanced diet and the requirements of varied cultural and ethnic backgrounds and allergies

·         To ensure that resources are set up and packed up while being kept neat and tidy as well as to inform the coordinator/manager if extra resources are required.

·         To ensure that all children and young people are made to feel valued and enabled to develop and improve self-esteem, self-confidence and positive experiences

·         Where necessary to administer first aid for children who have had an accident as well as medication for children with health issues ensuring that have attended necessary training with regards to this

·         Provide and supervise the hygienic provision of personal care, ensuring privacy, dignity at all time and recording in care plan.

·         To receive medication from Parents/Carers, check, record and store safely following procedures. 

·         Administer, where necessary, after appropriate training, medication for children keeping accurate and up to date records.

·         Assist with moving and handling of children/adults with restricted mobility, after appropriate training, including hoisting and use of mobility equipment.

·         Provide high level of support for children/adults with complex needs, ensuring care plans and behaviour plans are understood and followed to meet individual needs.

·         Regular use if aids to support communication and sensory impairment needs.

·         Provide high level of diligence and surveillance for the child you are supporting, including personal hygiene, behaviour, nutrition, sensory and play needs, feeding back any new observations to the Leader.

·         Accompany  and lead children/adults on trips, following procedures and policies, risk assessment and keeping them safe whilst providing high level of support.

·         To provide annual leave cover for the Coordinator

·         Supporting children/adults with eating and drinking as specified within their care plan and guidelines.

·         Assisting children/adults to engage with activities providing appropriate support and help to achieve desired outcomes.

·         To work with the rest of the YMCA children and young people’s team to help ensure attendance figures reach agreed targets in line with budgets. This includes supporting with promotional tasks including taking photos and attending promotional events.

·         To be flexible in order to meet the needs of service including covering sites aside from usual site.

·         Attend YMCA East Surrey staff meetings, training and staff development events, as appropriate, to ensure continuous professional competence and development

·         Undertake any other duties and responsibilities reasonably requested by the Coordinator / Manager.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about working for a charity and making a difference to the lives of the children and young people in our community.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

PAY:

·         £14.33 per hour

WORKING PATTERNS

·         Sat Sun & school hols 9am-5pm (inc 30m unpaid break)

BENEFITS:

·         Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity

·         Discounted childcare for permanent employees

·         Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees

·         Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card

·         Cycle to Work Scheme

·         6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service

·         Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme

·         On site parking

CLOSING DATE: 31^st December 2025

TO APPLY: Please scroll down the page to the application form.

Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.

Accessibility if you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us at HR@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk  

YMCA East Surrey requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adult’s barred lists) check, along with reference checks.