Youth Leader – Otters (Ages 11–17 SEND Club) – Apply if aged 18+

Youth Leader – Otters (Ages 11–17 SEND Club) – Apply if aged 18+

Posted for Sirens & Sparkles

Posted by Bexley Voluntary Service Council

Register your interest

You will be redirected to the Bexley Voluntary Service Council website to express your interest.

Join Sirens & Sparkles as a Youth Leader supporting our Otters club for young people aged 11–17.

You will volunteer as part of the Sirens & Sparkles team to help plan and deliver fun, structured and inclusive club sessions where young people can develop confidence, independence, friendships and practical life skills.

Our programme includes first aid, safety, communication, healthy living, digital life, money skills, creativity, problem solving, adventure, independent skills, community and volunteering activities, with members working towards badges, milestones and awards.

The role includes helping to prepare and run activities, supporting young people to participate at a level appropriate to their abilities, communication and support needs, encouraging confidence and independence, and helping to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.

Our members may have a wide range of abilities, communication styles and support needs. Some may experience sensory overload, distress, emotional dysregulation or behaviours that challenge. Volunteers will receive appropriate training, guidance and support.

Personal care

Some Otters members may require personal-care support, which could include assistance with toileting, changing continence products or other personal-care needs.

Youth Leaders may be required to provide personal care as part of their role, depending on the needs of the young people attending the session. Appropriate training, guidance and safeguarding procedures will be provided before a volunteer undertakes personal-care responsibilities.

We understand that some volunteers may not initially feel confident providing personal care, and this can be discussed during the application and induction process. However, Youth Leaders who progress to being authorised to take responsibility for a club session when the Club Manager or another designated senior team member is not present must be willing and appropriately trained to provide personal care where required.

Personal care will always be provided in accordance with Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC's safeguarding and personal-care procedures.

About the Youth Leader role

Youth Leaders volunteer alongside the Club Manager and other members of the volunteer team. Depending on the needs of individual members, you may support young people individually (1:1), in small groups or as part of the wider club session.

As you gain experience within the role, there may be opportunities to take on additional responsibilities.

Once appropriately trained, experienced and confident, Youth Leaders may lead activities and help support other volunteers. With prior agreement, an experienced Youth Leader may also be authorised to take responsibility for leading a club session when the Club Manager or another designated senior team member is not present.

To take responsibility for a session, the Youth Leader must have completed all training required by Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC for that responsibility, including safeguarding, emergency procedures and personal-care training where relevant to the needs of members attending. They must understand the club's procedures and responsibilities and have been approved by Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC as suitable to lead a session.

Experience of supporting young people with SEND is desirable but not essential. We are looking for people who are patient, reliable, understanding, willing to learn and able to support young people to develop greater confidence and independence.

Full induction, training, guidance and ongoing support will be provided.

This is a voluntary, unpaid adult role for applicants aged 18+.

What skills do I need?

Previous experience of supporting young people with SEND is desirable but not essential. This may come from employment, volunteering, education, caring responsibilities or lived experience.

We are looking for volunteers who are patient, reliable, understanding and able to build positive relationships with young people who may have a range of abilities, communication styles and support needs.

Depending on the needs of our members, you may support young people individually (1:1), in small groups or as part of the wider club session. You should be able to encourage participation, confidence and independence while recognising that each young person may require different levels of support.

You should be able to respond calmly and appropriately when a young person is distressed, overwhelmed or displays behaviours that challenge. Training, guidance and support will be provided.

Good communication, teamwork and organisational skills are important. Youth Leaders should be willing to develop their confidence and leadership skills, including helping to plan and deliver activities, supporting other volunteers and taking on additional responsibilities as they gain experience.

Some members may require personal care. Youth Leaders should be willing to discuss this as part of their role and undertake appropriate training where required. Youth Leaders who wish to progress to being authorised to lead a club session in the absence of the Club Manager or another designated senior team member must be willing and appropriately trained to provide personal care where required.

Volunteers authorised to take responsibility for a club session will need to demonstrate appropriate leadership, communication, decision-making and safeguarding awareness and be able to follow Sirens & Sparkles First Aid CIC's procedures, including emergency procedures.

You do not need to have all of these skills when you apply. Full induction, training, guidance and ongoing support will be provided, and additional responsibilities will only be given when you are appropriately trained, experienced and confident.