Purpose of Post

Supporting the Management team of Maidstone Mencap Charitable Trust Ltd in the provision, management, administration and delivery of KCC funded short breaks services provided for children and young adults with learning difficulties, additional needs and disabilities

To provide a safe, caring, stimulating environment for young people who have learning disabilities and/ or additional needs, working closely with their parents/ carers.

To ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, and social care, for young people placed in our Club provisions, at Maidstone Mencap Charitable Trust Ltd.

To provide support to, the other personnel within the setting, therefore implementing and maintaining the highest standards and quality practices.

To be aware of, and to maintain best practices to fulfil the policies and procedures established for Maidstone Mencap.

Responsible to: Child and Young Person Welfare Manager; the Board of Maidstone Mencap Charitable Trust; Individual Club management including Deputy Mangers.

Main Responsibilities and Duties (to include):

• To help set up resources, equipment and activities to meet the needs and interests of the young people in our care. To maintain a stimulating enabling environment throughout the session for all attending to be able to access the opportunities and experiences we are able to provide.
• To check which young person you are supporting and stay with them throughout the session. Get to know the young person, read their key information to understand their likes, dislikes, behaviour and communication techniques. To liaise with the management team to reflect and share information supporting the young person’s involvement and wellbeing. If you need to leave them for any reason (including needing a break) please ask the management team beforehand so suitable cover can be provided.
• Spend time encouraging ‘those attending to get involved with the activities and opportunities available for them, listening ,understanding and responding appropriately to their communication strategies with you.  Support where appropriate their social interaction with their peers. Have fun be the best resource for the young people in the room.
• Support the young person with eating and drinking during meal times
• Encourage and model ‘good’ desired behaviour and try to ignore unwanted behaviour if possible. Seek help from the management team if a young person is exhibiting challenging behaviour for guidance and support. Share positive techniques for inclusion in the Childs plans.
• For Safeguarding reasons do not be alone with a young person – in the lift, a room or toilets.
• If you have any concerns about a young person’s welfare, or another volunteer’s or staff members behaviour talk to the Manager firstly, if your concern is regarding the Manager, please speak with the Child and Young person Welfare Manager. See our Safeguarding notice board in the staff room for Policies and procedures for more information.

Safeguarding basic awareness training is mandatory.

• Every individual is responsible for Health and Safety. Familiarise yourself with our policies and procedures. Be aware of any potential risks and Hazards, to remove/ make safe and report to management.
• If the young person, you are supporting needs intimate care please ask for support from the management team. We will not ask for you to complete any personal care needs, but to be alongside for reassurance to the young person if needed and to meet compliance for our safeguarding policy.
• In case of a fire or fire drill escort those attending, to the evacuation point. See Fire Procedure for more information. To be aware of individual manual handling and mobility of the young person in your care along with their personal evacuation plan.

Fire safety Awareness training is mandatory.

• Remember the importance of confidentiality and do not discuss any personal information about the young adults, with people other than the child’s key person or manager. Breach of confidentiality is an act where we will implement our disciplinary procedures.
• Do not use your mobile phone while supporting the children during the club, phones are not permitted in any areas where the children are. Safe storage is provided, and our policy must be adhered to.
• Only those authorised to do so will take photos for any young person’s records or social media or marketing purposes for Maidstone Mencap. We seek consent from individual parents to enable this.
• To support the tidying up , safe storage and cleaning needed at the end of each day of the hall, kitchen, resources and equipment

                               One to One Helper Person Specification