Job Description
Title:
Play Scheme Assistant
Responsible to:
Play Scheme Co-ordinator
Location:
Leeds Mencap office, East End Park
Hours :
Sessional, during school holidays, 6 to 30 hours per week depending
on availability and play scheme requirements – agreed in advance
Contract:
Funding secured until March 2014 (initially)
Purpose:
Play Schemes at Leeds Mencap aim to provide fun and creative activities that excite and inspire
children and allow them to have a wide range of experiences regardless of their disability.
The Play Scheme Assistants support children and young people to participate in a range of
activities, have fun and enjoy themselves.
Internal Relationships:
External Relationships:
Play Scheme Co-ordinator
Play Scheme volunteers
Short Breaks Project Manager
Service users (children and young people)
Parents/carers
Role Profile:
The Play Scheme Assistants are responsible for supporting children with a learning disability to
participate fully in play scheme activities
Attend planning meetings and take responsibility for specific tasks
Responsible for maintaining a physical environment that is a clean, tidy and secure for children, staff
and visitors and to report any injury/accident to the Co-ordinator and record in an appropriate way
Provide care and supervision to the children attending the play scheme including personal care
Liaise with parents/carers as necessary during the play scheme during drop-off and pick up and
make sure any important information is shared appropriately. Maintain daily records for each child
as directed by the Co-ordinator
Assist the Co-ordinator to ensure that all trips and visits comply with the Health and Safety
regulations and that Risk Assessments are adhered to
Maintain confidentiality of information about all families attending the scheme
Adhere to all Leeds Mencap policies and procedures including ensuring that anti-discriminatory
practice is maintained by all staff, volunteers and service users
Person Specification
Detailed below are the types of skills, knowledge and experience that are required of applicants for
this post, based at East End Park although activities may take place at other venues
The essential requirements indicate the minimum requirements.
The points detailed under desirable may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Knowledge / qualifications
1
NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in play work, child
development or related topic
2
Knowledge of issues facing families who have a
child or young person with special needs
3
Knowledge of child protection/safeguarding
children procedures
4
An understanding of the importance of all
children’s need to play
5
Knowledge of child development
Ess
*
*
*
*
Experience
6
Experience of working with children and young
people who have special needs and/or a disability
7
Experience of working with people/families from
all backgrounds and sectors of society
Skills
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Ability to communicate effectively with children
and young people with a range of needs and with
parents/carers and professionals
Ability to work as part of a team
Provide a child centred environment and
sensitivity to the needs of individual children
Ability to use judgment and initiative. Ability to
respond to a changing situation rapidly
Able to work with people in an anti-discriminatory
manner
To maintain confidentiality for all service users
Accurate record keeping
This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
All candidates must be eligible to work within the UK.
Des
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*