Playscheme Assistant

1st November 2023

Job Title:                  Playscheme Assistant

Reporting to:           Playscheme Leader & Seniors

Responsible for:    Volunteers/Placements

Salary:                       £11.19 per hour

Hours:                       Variable to suit across schools holidays:

Leeds Mencap offers a range of services for children and families. We are recruiting to the post of Playscheme Assistants for our school holiday activities; there are a number of vacancies in the team as we are hoping to expand the pool of Playscheme Assistant.

We currently offer seven weeks of playschemes per year for children and young people aged 4 -18 years old and these run in October and February Half term and during the Easter and Summer holidays. they provide fun and creative activities that excite and inspire children and allow them 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 to ensure children and young people participate in activities, have fun and enjoy themselves.

Main responsibilities:

• Responsible for supporting children/young people with a learning disability to participate fully in activities such as games, sports, arts and crafts, baking, visits to museums, farms and other places of interest

• Attend morning briefings and take responsibility for specific tasks as assigned by the Playscheme Leader and Seniors

• Responsible for maintaining a physical environment that is a clean, tidy and secure for children, staff and visitors and to report any injury/accident to the Leader or Seniors and record in an appropriate way

• Work as part of a strong team, committed to excellent service delivery

• Provide continuous monitoring for all service users, maintain staff ratios and report any safeguarding concerns immediately

• Provide care to the children attending the playscheme including support with feeding and meeting personal care needs and administering medication where prior training has been provided

• Liaise with playscheme parents/carers as necessary during the drop-off and pick up and make sure any important information is shared appropriately. Maintain daily records for each child as directed by the Leader and Seniors

• Follow the services Health and Safety regulations and adhere to risk assessments

• Maintain confidentiality of information about all children and families attending services

• Adhere to all Leeds Mencap policies and procedures including ensuring that anti-discriminatory practice is maintained by all staff, volunteers and service users

• Ensure that training is kept up to date and to be willing to attend.

General

• 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.

• Treat everyone with respect and promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all actions and activities

• Attend and contribute to meetings as required

• Attend training as needed and demonstrate commitment to learning and development

• Adhere to all organisational policies and procedures including Health & Safety, Safeguarding and Data Protection.

• Any other duties and tasks as reasonably requested
  
  

How to apply

Please download and complete an application form and equal opportunities monitoring form and return this to administrator@leedsmencap.org.uk

We recruit for Playscheme assistants on a rolling basis and accept applications for Playscheme throughout the year.

Now recruiting for February 2024

Nursery Practitioner

31st October 2023

JOB TITLE:                          Nursery Practitioner (2 vacancies)

REPORTING TO:                Room Leader

Salary:                                   £10.93 per hour. = £21,375 (pro rata for part time)

Hours:                                   25hrs, 30hrs, 32.5 hrs or 37.5 hrs per week, Monday to Friday, all year round or 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.

We are looking to employ Nursery Practitioners with at least a Level 3 Childcare Qualification to work in our friendly Community Nursery. With more than one role available, we have a variety of hours and the opportunity to work all year round or term time only.

Leeds Mencap run Jimbo’s Community Nursery, a purpose-built nursery in east Leeds, offering high quality care and early education for children aged 0 – 11, including after school and holiday childcare. The nursery is bright, airy and well-resourced including access to soft play, ball pool and sensory rooms. We’re looking for a creative, positive, flexible person to join our team.  Team working is an essential requirement of the role and you’ll need to be able to build positive relationships with colleagues and parents to support the overall welfare, safety and development of the children attending the nursery. You will need to have at least a Level 3 Childcare Qualification.

In return you will work in an organisation that is welcoming and open. You will work with a skilled and experienced team, led by a manager with over 30 years in the sector. You will have a generous annual leave allowance, company sick pay from your first day of employment and access to training to support you to develop in your role. You will work in a lovely well-equipped, air conditioned building with free parking just a stone’s throw from the centre of Leeds. We provide free tea and coffee and hot lunches if you eat with the children.  As we are a charity there will be opportunities for you to get involved in fundraising activities and contribute to our wider work supporting people with learning disabilities. Most important of all, you will be part of a team who are aspirational for the children and their families and who do their absolute best to support them to have improved opportunities and experiences in life.

Jimbo’s Community Nursery is unique in Leeds, as the mainstream nursery includes our Hawthorn Room, a specialist playroom for children with a range of additional needs including learning disability and autism.

• 5 training days per year.
• Planning time within your working hours.
• Annual Leave 28 days per year plus public holidays.
• Purpose built, air-conditioned building.
• Convenient location – just a stone’s throw from the city centre with free car park.
• Very well connected for public transport.
• Well resourced.

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 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 Tuesday 28^th November 2023

Shortlisting date:   Wednesday 29^th November 2023

Interview date:        week beginning 4^th December 2023

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

SEND Practitioner

31st October 2023

JOB TITLE:                          SEND Practitioner

REPORTING TO:                SENCO/Deputy Manager

Salary:                                   £11.19 per hour = £21,875 (pro rata for part time and term time only)

Hours:                                   30, 35 or 37.5 hrs per week, Monday to Friday, term time only or all year round.

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.

We are looking to employ a SEND Practitioner with at least a Level 3 Childcare Qualification to work in our friendly Community Nursery supporting children with additional needs. With more than one role available, we offer the opportunity to work all year round or term time only.

Leeds Mencap run Jimbo’s Community Nursery, a purpose-built nursery in east Leeds, offering high quality care and early education for children aged 0 – 11, including after school and holiday childcare.  Jimbo’s Community Nursery is unique as it includes a specialist playroom for children with a range of additional needs including learning disability and autism.  The nursery is bright, airy and well-resourced including access to soft play, ball pool and sensory rooms. We’re looking for a creative, positive, flexible person to join our team.  Team working is an essential requirement of the role and you’ll need to be able to build positive relationships with colleagues and parents to support the overall welfare, safety and development of the children attending the nursery. You will need to have at least a Level 3 Childcare Qualification.

In return you will work in an organisation that is welcoming and open. You will work with a skilled and experienced team, led by a manager with over 25 years in the sector. You will have a generous annual leave allowance, company sick pay from your first day of employment and access to training to support you to develop in your role. You will work in a lovely well-equipped, air-conditioned building with free parking just a stone’s throw from the centre of Leeds. We provide free tea and coffee and hot lunches if you eat with the children.  As we are a charity there will be opportunities for you to get involved in fundraising activities and contribute to our wider work supporting people with learning disabilities. Most important of all, you will be part of a team who are aspirational for the children and their families and who do their absolute best to support them to have improved opportunities and experiences in life.

• 5 training days per year.
• Planning time within your working hours.
• Annual Leave 28 days per year plus public holidays.
• Purpose built, air-conditioned building.
• Convenient location – just a stone’s throw from the city centre with free car park.
• Very well connected for public transport.
• Well resourced.

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 below.

Please note we do not accept CVs.

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. 

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

Closing date:          midnight Tuesday 28^th November 2023

Shortlisting date:   Wednesday 29^th November 2023

Interview date:        week beginning 4^th December 2023

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

Room Leader

31st October 2023

JOB TITLE:                          Room Leader

REPORTING TO:                Deputy Manager

Salary:                                   £11.44 per hour

Hours:                                   35 hours, up to 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday, all year round

Annual Leave:                     28 days per year plus public holidays. 

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

We are looking to employ a Room Leader with at least a Level 3 Childcare Qualification to work in our well resourced nursery.

Leeds Mencap run Jimbo’s Community Nursery, a purpose-built nursery in east Leeds, offering high quality care and early education for children aged 0 – 11, including after school and holiday childcare.  The nursery is bright, airy and well-resourced including access to soft play, a ball pool and sensory rooms. We’re looking for a creative, positive, flexible person to join our team.  Team working is an essential requirement of the role and you’ll need to be able to build positive relationships with colleagues and parents to support the overall welfare, safety and development of the children attending the nursery. You will need to have at least a Level 3 Childcare Qualification.

In return you will work in an organisation that is welcoming and open. You will work with a skilled and experienced team, led by a manager with over 30 years in the sector. You will have a generous annual leave allowance, company sick pay from your first day of employment and access to training to support you to develop in your role. You will work in a lovely well-equipped, air-conditioned building with free parking just a stone’s throw from the centre of Leeds. We provide free tea and coffee and hot lunches if you eat with the children.  As we are a charity there will be opportunities for you to get involved in fundraising activities and contribute to our wider work supporting people with learning disabilities. Most important of all, you will be part of a team who are aspirational for the children and their families and who do their absolute best to support them to have improved opportunities and experiences in life.

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.

Jimbo’s Community Nursery is unique in Leeds, as the mainstream nursery includes our Hawthorn Room, a specialist playroom for children with a range of additional needs including learning disability and autism. 

• 5 training days per year.
• Planning time within your working hours.
• Annual Leave 28 days per year plus public holidays.
• Purpose built, air-conditioned building.
• Convenient location – just a stone’s throw from the city centre with free car park.
• Very well connected for public transport.
• Well resourced.

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 below.

Please note we do not accept CVs.

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.

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

Closing date:          midnight Tuesday 28^th November 2023

Shortlisting date:   Wednesday 29^th November 2023

Interview date:        week beginning 4^th December 2023

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

Marketing and Communications Volunteer

2nd August 2022

Role summary

Leeds Mencap are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who can help us raise more funds, engage more people in the community and create awareness of our charity across Leeds. This exciting role is varied and you’ll get the opportunity to learn about marketing, communications and social media in a charity setting.

Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that helps children and young people with learning disabilities across Leeds. Life is challenging and can be isolating for people with learning disabilities and we are here to ensure families get the best support they need so their children can fulfil their potential in life.

Key duties

• Keeping social media channels updated, monitoring activity and responding to interactions, using Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Hootsuite
• Supporting our social media strategy by encouraging others to comment and share and increasing our number of followers
• Make links to appropriate new individuals or organisations to build and sustain new relationships within our online community
• Writing content for marketing materials and communications (such as a fundraising poster, a blog on our website or a newsletter email)
• Design of marketing materials using programmes such as publisher or Canva
• Creating press releases and sending them out to local media

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers may have a passion for fundraising or marketing, or be enthusiastic about communications or graphic design. For this role volunteers need to be creative and have fantastic written communication skills. We would really value someone with graphic design experience, however this is not necessary.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 3 hours a week, for a minimum of 6 months, ideally longer.

Additional information

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

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Location: Leeds Mencap, The Vinery Centre, Leeds, LS9 9LU

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 fundraising@leedsmencap.org.uk

Community and Events Volunteer

2nd August 2022

Role summary

Leeds Mencap are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who can help us raise more funds, engage more people in the community and create awareness of our charity across Leeds. This exciting role is varied and you’ll get the opportunity to learn about fundraising, be involved in organising events and meet new people in your local community.

Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that helps children and young people with learning disabilities across Leeds. Life is challenging and can be isolating for people with learning disabilities and we are here to ensure families get the best support they need so their children can fulfil their potential in life.

Key duties

• Support us in the lead up to our in-person and digital events
• Researching and sourcing items for events, such as entertainment and raffle prizes
• Helping design information packs and promotional materials for different audiences
• Distributing fundraising materials and mailings to different community groups
• Helping out with events on the day, for example running stalls at a fun day
• Helping us with charity collections at local supermarkets, sporting venues and other locations in Leeds.
• Finding new locations for our collection tins such as corner shops or hairdressers and collecting them when they are full
• Promoting events and other activity through social media
• Creating press releases and sending them out to local media

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers may have a passion for fundraising or events management, or may be enthusiastic about communications and/or marketing. For this role, volunteers need to be friendly and approachable, with good communication skills and the ability to balance a variety of different activities at once.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 3 hours a week, for a minimum of 6 months, ideally longer.

However we also look for volunteers to help out on the day of events, so please also get in touch if you cannot commit to the regular volunteering.

Additional information

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

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Location: Leeds Mencap, The Vinery Centre, Leeds, LS9 9LU

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 fundraising@leedsmencap.org.uk

Fundraising Administration Volunteer

2nd August 2022

Role summary

Leeds Mencap are looking for enthusiastic volunteers who can help us raise more funds, engage more people in the community and create awareness of our charity across Leeds. This exciting role is varied and you’ll get the opportunity to learn about fundraising and be involved with approaching Companies and Charitable Trusts.

Leeds Mencap is a local, independent charity that helps children and young people with learning disabilities across Leeds. Life is challenging and can be isolating for people with learning disabilities and we are here to ensure families get the best support they need so their children can fulfil their potential in life.

Key duties

• Providing admin support for the Fundraising and communications team
• Researching new fundraising partners such as companies and Charitable Trusts
• With support, approaching new fundraising partners such as companies and Charitable Trusts
• Responding to emails from potential volunteers or challenge event participants
• Researching and sourcing items for events, such as entertainment and raffle prizes
• Helping design information packs and promotional materials for different audiences
• Distributing fundraising materials and mailings to different community groups

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers may have a passion for fundraising, or may be enthusiastic about communications and administration. For this role, volunteers need to be confident using IT and Microsoft word/excel/outlook. They need to have good verbal and written communication skills.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 3 hours a week, for a minimum of 6 months, ideally longer.

Additional information

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

Travel costs and any additional expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Location: Leeds Mencap, The Vinery Centre, Leeds, LS9 9LU

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 fundraising@leedsmencap.org.uk

Volunteer Reception/Room Hire Assistant

2nd August 2022

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 info@leedsmencap.org.uk

Nursery Volunteer

2nd August 2022

About our nursery

Jimbo’s Community Nursery has four playrooms:

• Holly Playroom for babies,
• Willow Playroom for toddlers (1 to 2 year olds),
• Maple Playroom for pre-school children (2 to 4 year olds), and
• Hawthorn Specialist Playroom for children aged 0 to 4 with learning disabilities).

We also run an after school club with a walking bus to pick up children from local primary schools.

We are unique in Leeds in running a nursery which includes a specialist playroom for children with learning disabilities/additional needs. This enables children to get the best of both specialist support and a mainstream setting. Children have a ‘base’ place in either the specialist playroom or the mainstream nursery. They spend the majority of their time in their ‘base’ but will also spend time in other rooms in the nursery to take part in particular activities, be with other children the same age, help with transitions to other nurseries or school/SILC.

Role summary

Key tasks include:

• Interacting with children to help develop their play and learning
• Supporting and encouraging children to participate in activities
• Assist with helping children at snack and lunchtime
• Assisting with tidying up at the end of the session
• Following instruction from the room leader and playroom staff
• Establish positive relationships with Leeds Mencap staff and service users

Key duties

• Comply at all times to the settings policies, procedures and standards, including health and safety, hygiene, inclusion, confidentiality, child protection, etc.
• Help staff to promote children’s health, safety and physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
• Help to protect children from danger.
• Help to sustain a safe, welcoming, purposeful, stimulating and encouraging environment where children feel confident and secure and are able to develop and learn to achieve their full potential.
• Talk to children giving constructive and sensitive feedback to help children understand what they have achieved and think about what they need to do next.
• Help staff to plan and provide safe, appropriate, child-led and adult initiated experiences, activities and play opportunities in indoor, outdoor and in out-of-setting contexts, which enable children to develop and learn.
• Help staff to select, prepare and use a range of resources suitable for children’s ages, interests and abilities, taking account of diversity and promoting equality and inclusion.
• Help to promote positive behaviour, self-control and independence through using effective behaviour management strategies and developing children’s social, emotional and behavioural skills.
• Listen to children, pay attention to what they say and value and respect their views.
• Keep up to date with the nutritional needs of the children.
• Help staff with the hygienic upkeep of the room and facilities.
• To support the Leeds Mencap staff on-going development activities.
• Attend relevant training opportunities, such as safeguarding.
• Assist staff in making sure the Ofsted requirements are met.
• Ensure the confidentiality of information about families accessing the setting, complying with Data Protection Act.

Skills, knowledge and attitude

Volunteers need to be friendly and approachable, with good communication skills and the ability to improve their practice.

Commitment

Volunteers should be able to commit to 2/3 hours per week, for a minimum of six weeks.

Additional information

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

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 info@leedsmencap.org.uk

Trustee (voluntary role)

1st August 2022

Voluntary (expenses paid)

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

Description

Leeds Mencap are looking for people who are passionate about improving the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities to join our Board of Trustees.  Like many charities we have been hit hard by the pandemic but have also found that new ways of working and greater collaboration give us the opportunity to support more people with learning disabilities in the future.

We are looking for people to join a team of 6 skilled and passionate Trustees at a time of uncertainty and change.  You will relish the prospect of getting to know the organisation and your colleagues quickly, grasping the challenges and opportunities we face and working together with Trustees and senior staff to provide strong and clear leadership to the organisation.  The immediate priority is to recover from the effects of the pandemic but we also have our sights on becoming a more inclusive and diverse organisation, extending support to more children and young people with learning disabilities and their families.

We are looking for people with a wide range of skills and experience and from diverse backgrounds. In particular we are looking for people with:

• A strong finance or accountancy background to fill the role of Finance Lead
• Lived experience of learning disability
• Knowledge or experience of delivering early years and/or SEND (special educational needs and disability) support
• previous experience of working or volunteering for a charity or not for profit organisation

Most importantly we are keen to hear from anyone who feels they have something to contribute at this particular stage of our journey, so please get in touch.

We expect a lot but the rewards are equally great.  You’ll see the difference you make in the children and young people who will develop and achieve beyond anyone’s expectations, in the parents who can draw breath and find some respite and comfort in knowing they’re not alone and being given practical and supportive help. In undertaking the role you will be working with a loyal and committed team who are aspirational about what we can achieve together.

How to apply

For an informal discussion please call Ged Walker, CEO on 0113 235 1331.

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 Ged Walker, CEO at ged.walker@leedsmencap.org.uk.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check, two suitable references and a declaration of suitability to act as a Trustee.

There is no closing date. Please get in touch if you are interested in becoming a Trustee or would like to find out more. Please also get in touch if you are interested in becoming a Trustee but are not currently in a position to apply.