Job Title: Outdoor Group Activity Worker – Children and Young People
Salary: £23,277.28 – £26,150.19
Location: Falkland House School, Falkland Estate, Falkland (and on occasion, Falkland House School Perth, Fairmount Terrace, Perth)
Hours: 38 hours/week (30 days holiday/year)
Shifts: Mainly late shifts 14:00-22:00, and double shifts including weekend work, and on occasion early shifts 07:30-14:30.
About us
Falkland House School is an independent residential school for boys from primary to 18 years of age. Our young people have a range of Additional Support Needs including emotional and behavioural difficulties and Autistic Spectrum Disorder. We were the first independent school in Scotland (outside of the NAS) to receive accreditation from the National Autistic Society. We have three residential houses within the building, accommodating 23 young people.
We are part of the Options Autism and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career.
Options Autism provide education and care across a number of schools and residential care homes nationally. Our vision is to build incredible futures by empowering vulnerable young people in the UK to be happy and make their way in the world. Every day we improve the lives of thousands of young people, their families and communities through relentless focus on caring and learning.
The opportunity
This is a role with an exciting career and development plan, structured to ensure our staff are trained, supported, and continually developed. We want to give you the best possible toolkit, to deliver outstanding care and support to our children and young people and help them achieve incredible outcomes.
There will be a thorough induction, fully expensed training courses and the opportunity to expand your knowledge. You will be supported to gain the necessary qualification to meet SSSC registration requirements, and you will gain a firm understanding of autism spectrum disorder and associated support needs, within a positive, supportive working environment. It is a great opportunity to launch your career and see it flourish.
The Role
As part of the role, you will be responsible for facilitating a variety of activities that provide our young people with the opportunity to access a wide range of experiences. You will deliver and co-ordinate excursions and activities to our pupils after school, during weekends and school holidays. Creating links within the local area will be a fundamental part of the role to provide external social opportunities to our young people. Planning and facilitating outreach sessions where you will visit young people in their home areas, taking them out on activities and linking into their local communities will also be part of the position of Outdoor Group Activity Worker. Assisting with outdoor education will also form part of your duties, ensuring the young people are engaged in activities which benefit them socially, emotionally, and physically.
You will be expected to establish and develop trusting, nurturing and supportive relationships with the children and young people, act as a role model, working in partnership to enable the young people to address their difficulties and reach their potential. Furthermore, you will assist them in gaining self-control by challenging unacceptable behaviour and rewarding the positive. Some behaviour support will be required in the classroom. Overarching this, you will support the young people with their independence, working with them to develop their nascent skills and establish healthy routines. You will creatively learn about the young people, their interests, dislikes and triggers, and use this connection to establish rewarding relationships.
Who are we are looking for?
Ideally you will possess relevant experience in planning and delivering a variety of activities to young people. Added to this we are looking for individuals with a real passion for the outdoors, and who are creative, versatile, and motivated. Experience is not essential to join our team. If you come from hospitality, the forces, outdoor activity centres or an office-based job but are eager to help young people to live active, happy, and fulfilling lives, then this is the role for you.
We know that the children and young people in our care can be challenging, and we are looking for Group Activity Workers who are up for that challenge. You will be patient and resilient, and able to recognise the reward in transforming a young person's life. You will always work in a child centred manner, using a calm, reliable approach that builds trust and confidence.
You will be friendly, approachable and kind in your dealings with the children and young people. You will be committed to giving them the space and opportunity to thrive, playing your part in creating a nurturing environment in which they can fulfil their potential.
You will play a key role in the smooth-running of the site, and you will have a good grasp of safety and hygiene, and a conscientious dedication to the young people's wellbeing. This is a role in which attention to detail really counts – and one that touches the real lives of people every day
Why join Options Autism?
- We are a values-driven organisation that puts people first
- We provide continuous professional development to take your career further
- Funded accredited courses to develop your career
- Discounted Gym membership and shopping vouchers
- We build our bonds through a great social events calendar
- Our Your Wellbeing Matters initiative provides total support
- Our Employees Rewards Hub offers great rewards such as discount vouchers
- Earn £1000 by referring a friend
- Further earning potential through sleep ins and overtime
How to Apply
- Click Apply and follow the on-screen instructions
- Visit our website at jobs/ where you can sort all of our live vacancies to find one that is most relevant to you - Search by Role, Location or even distance to your own home to find your perfect job!
Options Autism is part of Outcomes First Group. We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. All successful applicants will be subject to a free fully Enhanced PVG and reimbursement of the Update Service Fee.