Job Description
Forest School Support Worker – Dreamcatchers
Reporting to: Forest School Leader
Hours: When required.
Service delivery hours: To meet the needs of the service.
Approx. 2 ½ hours – 7 hours per week.
Hourly Rate: £8.20 per hour
Location: Witney or Banbury
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
Guideposts exist to provide services to meet individual needs so that each person has the opportunity to fulfil their aspirations and maximise their potential. We seek to achieve excellence in our work and lead the way in researching, delivering and disseminating good practice. Guidepost Community opportunities responds to the needs of the individual. We support with social activities, life skills and personal care.
Guideposts ‘dreamcatchers’ is an inspirational process that offers children and young people with disabilities regular opportunities to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands-on learning experiences.
Forest School is a specialised learning approach that sits within and compliments the wider context of outdoor and woodland education.
PURPOSE OF ROLE
Provide direct support to individuals in a person-centred way, and work within the team to organise and implement activities which encourage social interaction, independent living skills and life skills.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Have a clear overview of the needs and requirements of all the individuals who we support.
Work with the service co-ordinator to oversee Health and Safety requirements are met within the scheme.
Work with the service co-ordinator and to ensure Safeguarding protocols are followed.
Be aware of Risk Assessments, follow procedures and conduct dynamic risk assessments.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Support session activities
Promote individual choice of activities
Updating profiles for children if required
Ensure that equipment, tools and outdoor clothing are fit for purpose and appropriately stored and implement maintenance schedules.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Understanding of person-centred care
Understanding of facilitating and supporting child expectation and aspirations
Knowledge and experience of work with children
Good communicator at all levels.
Able to handle difficult situations
Takes initiative and is enthusiastic
Problem solver
Excellent interpersonal skills
Able and willing to work flexibly when required
Continuing Professional Development (reflect and develop practice)
Able to handle challenging behaviour
QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS
DBS
First Aid certificate (minimum 2-day Outdoor First Aid or 2-day Paediatric First Aid)*
Food Hygiene Certificate*
Generalist Safeguarding*
Drivers Licence
*Training can be given to accomplish certificate/training
OTHER DETAILS
All staff have a responsibility to look after the Health and Safety not only of those people who use our services but for themselves and their colleagues and should follow Guideposts Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
All staff are ambassadors for Guideposts and as such may be required from time to time to assist managers and fundraising in the promotion of Guidepost and its work.
Guideposts is an Equal Opportunities employer.
This job description is not exhaustive, but is provided to assist the post holder to know and understand the main duties of their role. It may be amended from time to time in discussion with the post holder.
email: kgough@guideposts.org.uk or info@guideposts.org.uk
Tel: 01993 893560 / 893577