Whizz Kidz: the facts

Over 75,000 young people aren’t getting the wheelchair or support that fully meets their needs.

Without the ability to be independent young wheelchair users are restricted in their ability to socialise and participate in society.

We’re here to change that.

As the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users (9 months -25 years old), we empower young people by providing the wheelchairs, equipment, support and confidence-building experiences they need, and campaigning for a more inclusive society.

And we won’t stop until they are mobile, enabled and included.

·     The Young People’s Services Team offers a range of services and activities for young wheelchair users and their families. Our confidence-building activities help young people gain valuable experiences and skills, empowering them to develop greater independence and autonomy.

Our vision

A society in which every young wheelchair user is mobile, enabled and included.

Our values

We are young people focused, ambitious, collaborative and inclusive.

Job Summary

This role will predominantly support the Service Delivery Managers in the effective planning and delivery of wheelchair skills training to meet the strategic objectives. The postholder will be required to work directly with young people and their families, schools, colleagues, partner organisations and professionals, delivering accredited wheelchair skills training across South or North Wales (location dependent) or London. Full training and resources will be provided.

The person  

You will be part of the Young People’s Services Team who provide a range of services and activities for young wheelchair users and their families. The postholder will take responsibility for the delivery of accredited face-to-face wheelchair skills training for young wheelchair users, as well as training for parents and other professionals involved in their development, ensuring processes and procedures relating to safety and safeguarding are followed. The role also includes liaising with schools, colleges and external organisations and ensuring volunteers are supported and empowered at services.

Key accountabilities

 ·     Planning and delivery of wheelchair skills training and train the trainer across Wales or London.

·     Liaise with Whizz Kidz Service Delivery Managers to ensure familiarity with the content and plans for each session, including information about young people’s care and medical needs, details of volunteers attending and venue information including contact names and access arrangements.

·     Updating all documentation for events and participants onto the database.

·     Promoting Whizz Kidz services to third party organisations in order to drive new applications/referrals.

·     Ensuring feedback and monitoring data is collected at each event.

·     Liaising with young people, families and schools as required.

·     Attending Whizz Kidz services across the country if required in order to support the Service Delivery Managers.

·     Use the risk assessment provided by Whizz Kidz to ensure confidence in briefing other staff/volunteers, continually updating each risk assessment where necessary.

·     Adhere to relevant Whizz Kidz policies and procedures regarding safeguarding, data protection and confidentiality, risk management, health and safety, incident reporting and working with volunteers when facilitating events for young disabled people. Ensure that all staff and volunteers are fully briefed and working within these guidelines and policies.

·     Liaise with Whizz Kidz Services Delivery Managers to ensure availability of sufficient resources and equipment for services, highlighting any discrepancies.

·     Attend training days and events with Whizz Kidz staff and volunteers to continually develop relevant skills and competencies to effectively deliver Whizz Kidz’s Young People’s Services.

·     Lead Volunteers throughout the day to deliver all planned activities in a safe and positive way, working in line with policies and procedures to ensure maximum participation.

·     Report any incidents, complaints or compliments according to Whizz Kidz’s policies and procedures.

·     Promote other Whizz Kidz services to the young people to facilitate pathways for greater involvement.

·     When required, to carry out any other tasks within the scope of the role to meet the needs of the Young People’s Services Team and the charity, as directed by Whizz Kidz staff members.

 The post holder will also

·     Work within all policies, procedures and budgets set by Whizz Kidz.

·     Act at all times in the best interest of Whizz Kidz.

·     Form effective working relationships with all colleagues members, volunteers and outside organisations as appropriate.

·     Take responsibility for ensuring that the policies and procedures relating to Health & Safety in the workplace are adhered to at all times.

·     Respect the confidentiality of data stored electronically and by other means in line with General Data Protection Regulations.

·     Not disclose to an unauthorised person any confidential information acquired through official duties unless they have received official permission to do so.

 The above list is not exclusive or exhaustive and the post holder will be required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be expected within the scope and job rank of the post.

 Please note: This post is subject to an Enhanced level DBS Disclosure, which will be sought prior to the confirmation of a job offer.

Person specification

Skills and knowledge

·     Ability to motivate children and young people of all ages.

·     The ability to deliver training using coaching/teaching skills.

·     Understanding and familiarity of good practice and law around child protection, disability discrimination and equal opportunities legislation, health and safety, confidentiality, and data protection.

·     Excellent organisational and planning skills.

·     Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate at all levels.

Experience

·     Experience of working directly with disabled children, young people and their families

·     Demonstratable experience of delivering training, teaching or coaching.

·     Youth work experience.

·     Experience of risk management procedures.

 Personal qualities

·     Alignment with our values – young people focused, ambitious, inclusive and collaborative

·     Passionate about supporting young wheelchair users and creating societal change

·     Ability to get on with and motivate children and young people of all ages

·     Ability to multi-task, work calmly under pressure and meet tight deadlines

·     Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative

·     A high degree of accuracy and attention to detail

·     Good level of computer literacy, including databases

Weekday working, lone working and travel will be required. The ability to drive and have access to a car or have good public transport links is therefore necessary.

We welcome applications from disabled people, including wheelchair users, and are committed to making reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process.