The Down Syndrome Training & Support Service Ltd is a charitable company based in Bingley with outreach across the North of England and beyond. We work with families and professionals living and working with people who have Down syndrome aged birth upwards offering support through many activities and services designed to promote the wellbeing of families and the education, development and inclusion of people with Down syndrome.

The Down Syndrome Training & Support Service is looking for a fully qualified and experienced youth worker to oversee and deliver our Friday youth club, called the WisH Club (Weekend is Here). The Club is for young people with Down syndrome aged 11 upwards. Members are welcome to bring one friend or sibling in order to provide a more inclusive setting and some members attend with their personal assistant.

The club, based in the attic of our centre in Bingley, currently has 20 members and a regular attendance of about 14 each week. We employ a youth worker who provides pastoral care, a youth worker assistant, who happens to have Down syndrome and also have several volunteers on the team. The club has been running for 5 years with funding secured for 2020.

PRIME OBJECTIVES OF THE POST

• To be responsible for the youth club
• To provide leadership and support for the youth club team and members
• To manage the administration generated by membership, personal care plans and other safeguarding procedures
• To promote social skills and inclusion.

RANGE OF DUTIES

• To provide leadership for the team of employees and volunteers.
• Along with the other employees – to plan sessions which help members interact and  develop, for example independence, self-care skills, money and time skills
• To manage the administration of membership forms, personal care plans, personal evacuation plans.
• To ensure safeguarding procedures are adhered to.
• To plan and monitor behaviour modification plans with the Group Coordinator when necessary
• To overview the transport arrangements for some members
• To update/involve parents by telephone and face to face contact
• To help to evaluate the club
• To overview equipment and resources used at the club
• To advertise and promote the club
• To manage and supervise the club in occasional trips out, eg to bowling.
• To liaise with the Group Coordinator of the charity

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A recognised youth worker qualification
• Substantial experience of working in a similar role
• Well motivated, reliable, sensible and experienced in working with young  people who have a learning disability
• Experience of managing a small team of workers.
• Able to lead small group sessions to enhance skills for the young people in attendance
• Experience of organising administrative skills, allocating and  prioritising tasks.
• A clear understanding of safeguarding and how to apply it to children and vulnerable adults.
• A clear understanding of confidentiality and data protection and how to apply these within the working environment.
• Able to communicate effectively and sensitively with young people in the club and their families

Desirable

• An understanding of Down syndrome and experience of working with families who have a child with Down syndrome.
• A first aid qualification
• A safeguarding qualification

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The position is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check and reference and will be offered initially until 31st December 2020 with a probationary review after the first 3 and 6 months.

Hours: part-time, 4 hours per week

Salary: £28860  pro-rata, approximately £15  per hour.

Annual leave: 5.6 weeks per year including public holidays.

Closing Date for applications:  Friday 6th December 2019

Interview: week beginning 9th December 2019

Start date: as soon as possible after Christmas break

For an application form, please email clairepowis@downsyndromebradford.co.uk 

Application Form