Community & College Support Workers - Talkback UK

Overview

Are you looking for a new challenge that gives you purpose and satisfaction ? Due to increased demand for our services  we have roles for:

Project Workers – Learning Assistant - £20,400 - £21,250 p.a. (or pro rata)

Both full and part time roles available (minimum of 3 days a week)

Term time roles available

No shift work or evening/weekend work

Are you a caring person who wants to see young people with autism develop in learning life skills?

Job Salary: £20,400 - £21,250

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Part time, full time and Term time working available

Closing Date for Applications: 9^th December 2023

About us

Talkback has been in Bucks for 24 years and within our educational Equip Project, you will  support young people, aged 16 – 23, to meet the outcomes on their Education, Health & Care Plans (EHCP). For some of our learners we provide 1:1 support in college, to support them to achieve their course. For the majority of your time you will be part of a team delivering a range of community  day groups to help students develop social skills, confidence, life skills and independence. These include Women’s & Men’s Groups, Creative Media Groups, Art Groups, Travel Training Groups and Independent Living Groups.   We also offer a range of work experience opportunities including horticulture, working with animals, retail & mechanics and you may go out and support a young person at work for a day.

To find out more please visit our website - https://talkback-uk.com/

You will work at our Aylesbury and High Wycombe buildings, plus in local colleges and  in the community. You will work alongside people with a learning disability and autistic people to achieve positive outcomes.

To succeed you will be able to work both as part of a team and independently and have a 'can do' attitude and  be a patient communicator. We can teach you all you need to know; you just need to have the passion and care.

You will have the opportunity to help someone develop and grow as a person whilst making a difference that will live with you forever. And, as one of our team said, ‘Working with people with a learning disability or autism is the most rewarding and fulfilling role I have ever had.’

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and a comprehensive screening process will be undertaken on successful applicants including a Disclosure & Barring Service check (DBS) including checks with past employers (Applicant Declaration must be completed and returned with application).

“This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults with care and support needs and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment”

About the role

To support people with a learning disability in a person-centred way that enables them to achieve their individual learning aims and to deliver a range of services to promote and encourage independent living and lifelong learning.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

• To plan, create and facilitate a range of sessions, including virtually where required, to promote and encourage lifelong learning and independent living, both one to one and in groups. To be able to work in a variety of innovative and creative ways and to follow a Positive Behaviour Support approach.
• To deliver sessions in a variety of venues, including community buildings, local colleges, sports venues and our buildings in Aylesbury and High Wycombe.
• To support students on the Equip project to reach their full potential and become as independent as possible. Thus, enabling them to live a fulfilled life by being empowered and confident.
• To evaluate all sessions and interactions in order to evidence learning, further develop session work, for individual growth and to provide contract feedback e.g. OFSTED. All evaluation reports must be completed to the prescribed standards.
• To actively support members to enhance wellbeing and ensure a safe environment at all times. To take remedial action, when required, including hygiene support and first aid.
• To build effective relationships and understand the individual’s specific needs. To ensure our interactions meet these needs and that individuals grow in confidence and skills.
• To ensure that effective communication and feedback is provided to member parents, guardians and education establishments where required.
• To understand the importance of Safeguarding and actively take appropriate steps when concerns are identified.
• To undertake any training required by the organisation, including a Level 2 Award in Understanding Behaviours that Challenge, a Level 2 Award in Skills for the Learning Support Practitioner, and the City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Education & Training.

About you

• Experience in a similar position is desirable but not essential as training is provided
• A GCSE pass (Grade A-C) / NVQ Level 2 or equivalent in English
• An understanding of working with people with learning disabilities, mental health and autism
• Previous experience of session plans, schemes of work, reports/evaluations is desirable
• Good time management and the ability to prioritise your workload
• A working knowledge of all windows packages
• Good team player
• Willing to learn, as ongoing training is provided
• Effective communicator
• Calm temperament under pressured conditions.
• Full UK driving licence and use of a car as you will need to travel to locations across the county.
• Willingness to travel and transport members, sometimes with wheelchairs.
• Eligibility to work in the UK.

Other information

If you would like to find out more about these roles please contact Helen Black on 07419 988991.

To apply please return your completed application form/equal opportunities form, by email to: [email protected]

We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions, which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act.

We are committed to carefully screening all applicants who will work with our vulnerable members including children, young people and adults with care and support needs. All applicants are expected to undertake employment checks, a Disclosure & Barring Service check and provide previous employment references.

We expect all staff to have a knowledge, understanding of and demonstrable commitment to, Safeguarding Children and Young People (Every Child Matters) and Vulnerable Adults.

All staff must be able to demonstrate the values and behaviours suitable to work with children and young people and provide demonstrable commitment to Equality & Diversity, Child Protection, Safeguarding and Prevent. They must show a desire to challenge inequality, promote diversity and adhere to Talkback’s Policies and Procedures.

Employee

Carry out all duties with an awareness and understanding of the Safeguarding requirements within the area of responsibility. Work complies with all safeguarding policies and procedures that apply to the role. Behaviours and actions support the safeguarding of children, young people or adults with care and support needs as appropriate.