Windchimes is an exciting new resource centre in Herne Bay for children with disabilities across East Kent. It has a residential respite component managed by Kent County Council and the PCT. The Children’s Society are working in partnership with both of these agencies to manage the day, evening and weekend services provided both at Windchimes and across East Kent. Central to this is the involvement of parents and children in helping define and shape the services provided.

We now need to recruit to a number of posts to cover maternity leave until the 30th June ’09. There may be the opportunity to extend these posts past this date.

You will set up and run activity groups for disabled children which focus on developing their ability to formulate and express their ideas and opinions on local services and activities, and in developing the participation of disabled children in influencing service development, design and delivery.

Previous experience working with children or young people is essential, experience with disabled children desirable.

We are also looking for Sessional Workers to work in the following locations; Swale, Canterbury, Thanet and Dover.

For further information or informal discussion on the above roles contact Ivan O’Reilly, Centre Programme Manager on 01227 741748.

We offer generous holidays, contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.


Closing Date: Friday 26th September 2008
Interview Date: W/C 6th October 2008

All our recruitment documents are available in alternative formats.

We strive to be an equal opportunities employer.

Youth Project Leader - Disabled Children

Location:

Across East Kent, incorporating Swale, Canterbury, Thanet & Dover.

Reward Band:

Project Worker 2 (SC)

Reporting to:

Senior Project Worker

Job purpose:

• To enable the development of participation structures and activities for disabled children and young people supporting them to develop their views and opinions on services and their ability to communicate & express these and to actively lead the direct provision of a variety of play and leisure activities.

Key activities:

• To lead the development and provision of child focused and positive play and leisure experiences for disabled children and young people.
• To assist through key activities in helping disabled children and young people to develop the skills, knowledge and self-confidence, which will enable them to respond to the issues affecting them.
• To help advocate on behalf of disabled children and young people to enable them to express their concerns and options on issues that affect their ability to live safely and to be included in their community.
• To take a leadership role in the planning and delivery of participation programmes of activity, working closely with colleagues and partners.
• To keep accurate and detailed records of the work, ensuring that the Society’s standards, and any other necessary regulations e.g. Ofsted are adhered to.
• To assist in developing and maintaining links with parents/carers, key agencies and community groups and through participation in meetings where relevant.
• To ensure that information and concerns are shared with line management to support children and young people.
• To assist (when appropriate) in the transportation of disabled children and young people and families, acting as an escort or authorised driver.

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Experience

• Previous experience, either paid or unpaid, of working with disabled children and young people and of assisting in planning creative or leisure activities.
• Experience of working within a team.

Qualifications

• Educated to GCSE Standard.

Work based knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of the issues facing disabled children and young people.

Skills

• Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.

Core competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

• Meet the needs of the children and young people attending play and leisure activities.
• Take a leadership role in improvement of ways of working with disabled children and young people to develop their ability to affect service provision.
• Carry out work as instructed and to required Children’s Society and Ofsted Out Of School standards, being responsible for sessions if activity with disabled children.
• Take initiative and demonstrate a willingness to learn.
• Ensure that you are understood by others and communicate effectively.
• Relate well to team members and children and young people.
• Work well in a team and respond well to feedback.

Other Competencies:

• Be mindful of Project and The Children’s Society resources.

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Hours of work will be mainly evenings and weekends.
• To work directly with disabled children and young people with either moderate or severe learning impairment, and attend to their individual care needs, which may include administering medication, lifting and personal care tasks.
• Weekend and evening meetings/training.
• Ability to travel to venues appropriate for disabled children.
• Ability to supervise and keep safe children and young people with challenging behaviours.
• Must be reliable and punctual.

(Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions).

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role with The Children’s Society you will require:

• To actively promote the values of The Children’s Society and of the project in your day-to-day work.
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the Children’s Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe.
• A commitment to ensuring the needs and rights of disabled children and young people are upheld through their active participation in the work of the project, the Society and within their own communities.
• To be flexible and adaptable.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• An ability to liase with parents and professionals.
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice.
• To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the work of the project and of The Children’s Society.

Files/File/Windchimes Project Overview.doc