support specialist Liss, England
Job description
Are you passionate about working with young people?
Are you passionate about the way in which animals can help us make sense of the world, and help us learn?
We are an expanding organisation and we are recruiting at all three sites as part of our expansion.
We have three sites at different stage of development, and you can read more about these on our website. These are in Shamley Green, West Horsley and Liss. Due to expansion we are recruiting LSAs and Support Workers for all three sites.
This is a wonderful opportunity for the right person. We are particularly looking for people who have some established skills in working with young people with a range of needs. You will need to be resilient, as working with young people with complex needs can at times be challenging, as can working outside in all weather!
Elysian is an animal assisted therapy and learning organisation, established in 2015. Our specialism is supporting children and young people with complex SEMH needs, though we work with all ages and needs outside of school hours and days.
All our roles involve an elements of ‘rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck in’ and working creatively in ways to ultimately benefit the people we work with.
We offer you a friendly team, an outside work environment, a supportive place work, and future progression opportunities. We accept part time applicants (minimum 3 days per week) and we also accept term and non-term time applicants, along with welcoming applicants who wish to work a regular weekend day as part of their working week (not essential). The salary advertised is for a full time position, working 5 days per week.
Please apply through indeed. Please include a covering letter and context to your application (if e.g. applying from out of the area please let us know if/when you are moving to the area).
We shortlist weekly based on indeed applications, so please do ensure you include all relevant information (you may wish to follow up with additional information should you not have been able to e.g. submit a cover letter).
Once shortlisted, candidates are invited to an initial meet and interview over teams, which takes approx. 20-30min. Selected candidates after this process is then invited to formally apply, using the Elysian application form (downloaded from our website) and attend a second interview and a trial day. The process allows for candidates to get a really good idea of what the role involves and what it is like working for our organisation. Unfortunately, we are unable to facilitate pre-application visits.
You will be involved in all aspects of the day programme along with a multi-skilled and multi-disciplinary team. The challenges lies in finding the niche and individual factors that engage each individual, and supporting them to progress their goals and attainments.
The Support Worker position is a relatively senior post, part of our front line staff team. If you are interested in a position with us, but not quite meeting the threshold for this post, you may wish to apply for our LSA position (which can be converted to full time).
Every day is different at Elysian. We work a a whole variety of needs and across ages.
During the day you may find yourself working 1-1 with a few young people or with a group.
Support Workers all have different areas of responsibilities within the organisation, and most will specifically work with children and young people who are finding engagement particularly difficult and need support to manage through the day. Support workers have specialist responsibility areas which vary depending on their expertise/passions/interests. This could include mental health, equine, behaviour support and/or a range of other areas.
The day and the activities we do are completely varied through every day and week, as these depend on the needs of individual needs and the activities arranged. The provision has a weekly and daily structured programme during term time, based on the young people’s Placement plans, and therapeutic goals. Support workers often particularly focus on supporting the emotional, behavioural and mental health needs of the children and young people who come to Elysian, and have levels or responsibilities as part of a team that together ensure children and young people are kept safe, given every possible opportunity available to them, whilst progressing their skills, abilities and educational and therapeutic goals. Support workers will also often supervise more Junior team members, volunteers and work experience placements.
You will get up close with a whole range of animals every day, from cows, goats and ponies, to undertaking animal care tasks with young people. You will be part of a 'everyone mucks in with everything' team, undertaking farm care tasks and animal care tasks on a daily basis, with children, young people and occasional adults, groups and families.
Job Requirement
The role holder will support a full range of Farm and Animal Assisted Therapeutic Activities working with a varied client base. This will consist of supporting children and young people with a vast variety of needs, including emotional, social, behavioural, learning and mental health needs.
The role holder will support children and young people referred to Elysian for education placement, therapy and learning placements and individual sessions, including providing 1-1 support. The role holder will also facilitate the sessions and various work experience and educational activities.
Skills
Experience and Qualification
· Degree or higher education in a relevant field or extensive experience working with vulnerable children and young people.
· At least 3 years’ experience of direct client work.
· Qualifications and experience in AAT or Equine Assisted therapy is beneficial (including online learning e.g. BSY/Centre of excellence).
· Experience of SEND education setting.
· Experience in delivering psycho education workshops or supporting groups incorporating animals will be an added advantage.
· Confidence and knowledgeable in caring for animals.
· Sound knowledge of Safeguarding and good professional boundaries is essential.
Additional Skills
· Ability to project a positive public image of self and the organisation whilst exhibiting a culture of outstanding service and high ethical standards.
· Excellent communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English is essential
· Capable of establishing and maintaining constructive interpersonal relationships within the organisation.
· Demonstrated experience of working within a multi-disciplinary and/or diverse environment.
Overview of role
Supporting young people to undertake educational and therapeutic activities with animals on the farm, and supervising or guiding other staff to do so.
Undertake, oversee and maintain any relevant records necessary for the evaluation of young people’s and service needs and efficiency and ensure that documentation is clear, accurate and in compliance with legal requirements.
Undertake and share research relevant to the work as needed.
Maintain an appropriate level of confidentiality at all times.
Prepare and deliver structured Animal Assisted Therapy and/or Learning sessions for groups and individuals, including workshops and delivering learning plans/lessons where applicable.
Undertake general liaison with young people, their carers/parents and relevant professionals within and outside the organisation with regards to care planning, general progress reporting and follow up.
Contribute to the overall promotion activities of the organisation.
Contribute to the overall ethos and aims of the organisations and general team agenda, which may include ensuring animals are healthy, happy and looked after, and/or developmental or maintenance tasks as part of a current or ongoing organisational agenda.
This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Thorough background checks and an enhanced DBS will be required
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: £23,164.00-£26,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Free parking
Shift:
- 8 hour shift
Education:
- Bachelor's (preferred)
Experience:
- working with complex/SEND needs: 3 years (preferred)
- working with young people: 3 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving License (required)
Work Location: In person
