Playscheme Assistant

19th May 2025

Job Title:                  Playscheme Assistant (Bank Staff)

Reporting to:           Playscheme Leader & Seniors

Salary:                       £12.82 per hour

Hours:                       Variable to suit across schools holidays only:

                                    Monday – 9.00am – 3.30pm

                                Tuesday – 9.00am – 3.30pm

                                 Wednesday – 9.00am – 3.30pm

                                   Thursday – 9.00am – 3.30pm

                                  Friday – 9.00am – 4.00pm

Assignments will be offered on an "as required" basis. Your hours will vary according to the needs of the Charity and your availability to work.

Annual Leave:         The equivalent of 7.2 weeks' paid holiday per holiday year. Entitlement will be calculated for each whole hour worked based upon a prorated equivalent of a full time employee’s holiday entitlement.

Location:                  The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds LS9 9LU

Leeds Mencap offers a range of services for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families. We are recruiting Playscheme Assistants for our school holiday activities; there are a number of vacancies in the team as we are hoping to expand our existing pool of Playscheme Assistants.

We currently offer playschemes for children and young people aged 4 -18 years old, which provide fun and creative activities that allow children and young people to have a variety of experiences regardless of their disability. Our playschemes are open to children and young people with a wide range of support needs. The Playscheme Assistant is there to ensure children and young people safely participate in activities, have fun and enjoy themselves.

If you are looking to develop your skills in working with children and young people with additional needs, keen to work as part of a team and dedicated to providing fun and engaging activities, then this is could be the job for you!

“My child loves it, he enjoys the activities and playing with others. It boosts his self esteem and independence. he feels very safe there and it is his favourite place to go to. For the family, it is respite and reassurance that he is somewhere where the staff are well trained, it is well organised, and it is a safe environment that fosters his growth.” Playscheme Parent

As a member of our team you’ll have access to training to support you to develop in your role. You will work in a bright and airy building, with free parking and on good bus and cycle routes, not far from the centre of Leeds. Most important of all, you will be part of a team who are aspirational for children, young people and families and who do their absolute best to support them to have improved opportunities and experiences in life. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your talents to make a difference.

How to apply

Please download an application form from our website.  We would also ask you to download and complete our Equality and Diversity monitoring form. This form is for monitoring purposes only and will not be treated as part of your application.

For more information please email activities@leedsmencap.org.uk or call 0113 235 1331

Leeds Mencap are committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment. All posts are subject to a DBS check and references.

We are a diverse organisation, where individual differences are recognised and valued and where discriminatory attitudes or practices are challenged. We welcome applications from all communities and backgrounds. 

If you share our passion about opening up opportunities, enabling access and helping break down barriers for children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism and their families, we would love to hear from you.

Recruitment timetable

Closing date:  Monday 9^th June 2025 at 4:00pm

Shortlisting:  Tuesday 10^th June 2025

Interview date:   from Wednesday 11^th June 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Reception/Room Hire Cover (bank)

22nd April 2025

Job Title:                  BANK – Receptionist/Room Hire Cover

Reporting to:           Centre Manager

Pay:                           £12.28 per hour

Hours:                       Bank role with hours as agreed when needed – each period of work known as an ‘assignment’ – in the first instance we have an assignment for 4 months to work a total of between 10 and 12 hours per week in the afternoons across 3 to 4 days.  

Holiday:                    Equivalent to 7.2 weeks pro rata per annum; paid at the end of an assignment if not taken.

Location:                  The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds LS9 9 LU

This role is very varied and the postholder will need to work flexibly and co-operatively with the Centre Support team (Staff and any volunteers).   Our room hire service is an important income generator to help support our charitable activities – working with children and young people with learning disabilities and their families. We have a mix of regular and one-off room hire bookings and these are mainly from charities, the NHS and the council.  

Purpose of the role To provide friendly and professional reception and room hire support and work as part of a team to ensure the smooth running of the Vinery Centre.

Reception service:

• Make sure visitors to the centre can get in (E.g. if you are working in the morning make sure you listen out for room hirers when you are setting up rooms; set up doors appropriately - e.g. put door from car park entry on automatic open setting as soon as you are not the only person in the area; if you are working out of hours make sure you have the intercom mobile) – handover to colleagues if you leave the reception area and not able to do this
• Welcoming visitors to the centre – make sure they are signing in and out and that they know any important information – e.g. if there is a fire alarm test, if the car park is going to be locked, etc. 
• Issue door access cards, locker keys, sensory room cupboard keys as needed – follow recording systems
• Dealing with incoming post  
• Keeping reception area clean and tidy, including hoovering entry mats as needed, cleaning reception desk, sweeping and mopping reception floor as needed
• Making sure leaflets and posters in display boards are kept in date and tidy
• Keep bookcase tidy
• Dealing with lost property
• Ensure good handovers to Centre Support Team members

Answering phones, transferring calls, taking messages:

• If you are confident and have the relevant information to hand then deal with straight forward inquiries
• Take messages for complex inquiries
• Pass those with learning disabilities onto the relevant teams unless it is just a very straight forward inquiry such as is the youth club on tonight and you know it is. 
• Check info@ email inbox
• Deal with room hire enquiries (See next section)
• Forward to relevant departments if clear and save in their folder
• Check with Administrator/Centre Manager regarding more complicated inquiries and deal with as agreed, e.g. forwarding to them for them to deal with or replying following their guidance
• Do not open any attachments from emails you do not know

Room Hire Service:

• Deal with inquiries for room hire – liaise with Centre Manager for non-standard bookings
• Follow room hire procedures and processes
• Put room bookings on room booking software system and ensure paperwork completed as required
• Set up electronic folder for new bookings and add to master spreadsheet
• Follow up Purchase orders for room bookings
• Room set up – includes quick clean of spaces if needed following any previous meetings (including first thing in the morning following evening meetings)
• Ensuring any buffets have correct food labels/signs, crockery, cutlery, napkins and serving implements
• Looking after room hire resources (cups, urns, jugs, crockery etc, and IT equipment such as laptops, TV’s, remotes, extension leads) ensure everything is correctly put away
• Regular checks that work/activity space toilets in reasonable condition and replenish stocks of toilet paper/soap as required
• Keep room hirers areas tidy, replenishing stocks of tea/coffee, emptying bins, wiping tables down; clearing away after buffets
• Emptying and loading dishwashers as needed
• Make sure enough teas/coffees, biscuits in stock for room hire 
• Collect and record feedback from room hirers
• Taking payments and providing receipts

General:

• You may be asked to help with general administrative tasks and preparing signs, leaflets for room hire.
• You may be trained to be a Key Holder and be able to act as Fire Lead as required and provide back up cover as needed
• Leeds Mencap is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment.
• Adhere to all Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Data Protection requirements
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the role as required
• Follow organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices.
• Read ‘Monthly Snippets’ – Leeds Mencap’s internal communication system – sent by email monthly (print out on staff notice board) – this includes important updates to policy, staffing, procedures, future plans, etc. 
• Behave in a way that reflects your commitment to Leeds Mencap’s vision, mission and values.

If you would like to discuss this role in more detail please contact the Centre Manager on 0113 2351331 or email us at administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Closing date:             Midnight Saturday 10th May 2025

Shortlisting date:   Monday 12th May 2025

Interview date:          week beginning 19^th May 2025 (please note, a mutually agreeable interview date may be arranged prior to this date for the right candidates)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Trustee (voluntary role)

10th April 2025

Voluntary (expenses paid)

Location: The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, Leeds, LS9 9LU

Description

SALARY:                              Voluntary (expenses paid)

LOCATION:                         The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery Terrace, LS9 9LU

Leeds Mencap is looking for people who are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities and/or autism

Why not become our next volunteer Trustee?

In the role of Trustee you will have the opportunity to meet and work as part of a team with staff, volunteers and other Trustees from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and specialisms. Your skills will complement established Trustees and senior staff to continue to provide strong and clear leadership to the organisation, helping us to progress further towards becoming a more diverse and inclusive organisation, and extending support to more children and young people with learning disabilities and their families.

Leeds Mencap is a completely independent local charity that has come a long way since we opened our doors over 70 years ago. We support over 570 children and young people with learning disabilities and their family members each year. If you want to play a part in how the charity moves forward we are looking for new Trustees with a wide range of skills and experience, and from diverse backgrounds, and in particular we are looking for people with:

• Experience of Fundraising or income generation, including accessing grants and legacies.
• An HR, coaching or mentoring background to support us in the professional development of new and existing staff.
• Experience of education and safeguarding, particularly in early years settings.
• General management or business experience
• Lived experience of learning disability

We welcome new team members with previous experience of working or volunteering for a third sector organisation, but most importantly we are keen to hear from anyone who feels they have something to contribute and wants to be part of our continuing journey, so please get in touch.

As part of the Leeds Mencap team you will make a real difference. You will not only be helping children and young people to develop and achieve beyond anyone’s expectations but also helping their parents and carers to find respite and comfort in accessing practical help and support and knowing they’re not alone. In undertaking the role you will work with our skilled, experienced and committed team who are aspirational about what we can achieve together.

Leeds Mencap aims for its team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from all communities. If you share our passion about all children getting the very best start in life we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

To apply, please send your CV, together with a supporting statement detailing how you meet the requirements of the role and what you think you can offer, to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk. 

Any appointment will be subject to a DBS check, receipt of two suitable references and declarations of suitability to act as a Trustee.

Closing date:  As we have a number of Trustee vacancies, we will be considering applications on a rolling basis so please get in touch. 

Please also get in touch if you are interested in becoming a Trustee but are not currently in a position to apply.

Nursery Practitioner

28th March 2025

JOB TITLE:                Nursery Practitioner

REPORTING TO:                  Room Leader

Salary:                                    £12.55 per hour

Role 1: Working across all  playrooms covering annual leave etc Hours:  32.5 to 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, term time only or all year round

Role 2: Working in our After School Club, with children aged 4-11 years. Hours: Monday to Friday, 3-6pm, 15 hours a week, term time only or Monday to Friday, 1-6pm, 25 hours per week, term time only

Annual Leave:                       28 days per year plus public holidays. Holiday entitlement is calculated pro rata for term time only and part time contracts.  For term time only posts, leave must not be taken during term time.

Location:                                The Vinery Centre, 20 Vinery         Terrace, Leeds LS9 9LU.

Rated as Outstanding by Ofsted. Jimbo’s Community Nursery provides both mainstream and specialist early years education and childcare in East End Park in Leeds. We are the only nursery in the city with a specialist playroom that supports children with additional needs.

We are now recruiting two Nursery Practitioner posts, Role 1 is work across all playrooms, Role 2 will include working with children aged 4-11 in our After School Club.

The nursery is part of local charity, Leeds Mencap, and we’re based in a friendly, modern, purpose-built centre. We have excellent facilities and resources, and the nursery is expertly managed by our highly experienced, skilled and supportive Childcare Manager.

Some of the children we work with require an especially caring and understanding approach or specialist support to help them flourish, and the work is not always easy, but as part of a strong and experienced team you will be well-supported and have access to specialist training that’s relevant to your role.

‘Staff report that the support for their emotional wellbeing as being is very good. Staff who require additional support for their own needs are very well supported by managers.’ OFSTED March 2024

“I was never really interested in working for somewhere that was just a regular day nursery. I came to Jimbo’s because it’s so specialist and feels like it’s part of something more, that supports Learning Disability and local communities, and feels like a family.” Jimbo’s Nursery Practitioner.

Alongside the nursery Leeds Mencap also offers services to children and young people with a learning disability, their families and carers. These services include activities such as youth clubs and holiday playschemes and family support, which includes informal stay and play sessions where parents can meet others in similar situations, and advice on navigating through the often-complex systems to access specialist support in school settings.

The nursery and Family Services often work together to support children and their families, and the support we offer is long-term and meaningful. In fact, some of the children who started out accessing our nursery now attend our youth club for 14–18 year-olds for young people with learning disabilities.

Leeds Mencap is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk of harm.  We expect all staff and volunteers to fully share and demonstrate this commitment. All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

We aim for our team to reflect the diversity of people in Leeds and welcome applications from any community.  If you share our passion about all children getting the very best start in life, whatever their background and ability, we would love to hear from you.

To apply please download application pack and forms from the buttons below

Please note we do not accept CVs.

For more information please contact Abigail Cunningham on 0113 467 3050 or e-mail abigail.cunningham@leedsmencap.org.uk

We would also ask you to complete our Equality and Diversity monitoring form. This form is for monitoring purposes only and will not be treated as part of your application.

Please send completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk. 

Closing date:             Midnight Sunday 27^th April 2025

Shortlisting date:   Monday 28^th April 2025

Interview date:          week beginning 5^th May 2025

(please note, a mutually agreeable interview date may be arranged prior to this date for the right candidates)

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Job pack

application form

Equality & Diversity form

Volunteer Reception/Room Hire Assistant

4th September 2024

About The Vinery Centre

Leeds Mencap’s Vinery Centre has a community and specialist nursery, as well as activity and meeting rooms which are hired out to local groups and organisations and used to run our own specialist services, including youth clubs and playschemes for children and young people with learning disabilities.

Key duties

• To welcome Room Hirers into the centre and to make sure they sign in and know basic information about the centre such as where the toilets are, fire assembly points, no smoking, car parking
• To help with setting up and clearing up of room hire meeting rooms – this will include moving tables, clearing tables, stacking dishwasher, emptying bins, hoovering carpets, sweeping floors, filling hot water urns, sorting baskets of teas/coffees and biscuits, etc.
• To help prepare sandwiches and buffets under the direction of the cook, to set out buffets for room hirers, arranging cutlery/serviettes and labelling food as needed
• Other general tasks such as leaflet printing and folding in between room hire support activities
• Reception support

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers need to be friendly and welcoming with good communication skills.

Commitment

Approximately once a week. Leeds Mencap will let you know in advance which days have a lot of room hire activity and you will let us know in advance when you can come in.

Additional information

Volunteers with be supported by the Room Hire Lead.

This role requires volunteers to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. There is no cost to the volunteer for this.

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

Gardening Volunteer

30th July 2024

Role summary

Leeds Mencap is a charity working with children and young people with learning disabilities and their families and we are based at the Vinery Centre. We also run an inclusive Community Nursery, with a special needs room, as well as activity and meeting rooms which are hired out to local groups and organisations (this is an important income generator for us as a charity). We have visible grounds around the outside of our centre and three raised beds for food growing. We are very busy and we struggle to find time to keep on top of our gardening but we do want our centre to look neat and tidy.

We are looking for volunteers to assist in keeping on top of our gardening and potentially to work with nursery staff so the children can get involved.

Key duties

• Weeding, seeding, picking – raised food growing beds
• Harvesting food for the cook to use
• Weeding & edging
• Clearing up afterwards including sweeping paths
• Looking after raised flower beds on Raincliffe Road
• Potentially liaising with the nursery staff to arrange sessions with children  
• To comply with good health and safety practice

Skills, knowledge and attitude

• Able to follow instructions
• Able to work well as part of a team
• Reliability and commitment
• Trustworthiness

Commitment

We are looking for either regular or ad hoc volunteers.

Additional information

This role may require volunteers to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.  A DBS check would be required for a regular, on-going volunteer who would be liaising with the nursery/getting the children involved in growing/gardening; it would not be required for an ad hoc volunteer.  

Travel costs and additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

The work involves moderate to heavy work in all types of weather. There is frequent need to stand, stoop, walk, and lift.  Leeds Mencap will carry out risk assessments on an annual basis and may require volunteers to undergo reviews and medical checks to ensure they are able to carry out the tasks required with acceptable levels of risk to themselves and others.

How to apply

To apply for any of our volunteering opportunities, please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form. Email completed forms to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk