Residential Camp Leader

Job Title:Residential Camp Leader

Location:Residential Camp Leader

Salary: Up to £11.44

Weekly Hours: Zero hour contract

Reference: YMC988628

Charity Context

We believe that everybody should have the opportunity to lead happy, healthy lives. YMCA Fairthorne Group (YMCA) is a community-based charity that brings people of all backgrounds and abilities together in YMCA places to identify and deliver effective programmes that meet their needs. Fairthorne Manor sits on 94 acres of woodland which thrives all year round.

We work across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton, from 30 venues, providing programmes to over 40,000 people every year. Programmes include multiple early years settings, Daycamps, community activities, the annual national Young Carers Festival, and supportive housing for young people and families experiencing homelessness. Considered one of Hampshire’s hidden gems, the 94 acre site comprises sweeping grounds, mature woodland, a lake and access to the upper reaches of the River Hamble.

Job Purpose

You will play an important part in the success of our inspirational Residential program. Offered for 8-16 year olds for 7 nights (Saturday – Saturday). Residential Camp follows a uniquely styled programme separate from Daycamps. Children will be provided with an experience in discovering themselves through interactions with others and having the freedom to explore. Activities will range throughout the entirety of Fairthorne Manor mixing both the best of camp and introducing exciting new programmes for children/young people to enjoy.

A Residential leader will have the responsibility for and provide a safe and caring environment for all the children attending Residential Camp, supervising a small team of staff, including support, sharing good practice and performance management. Residential Camp Supervisors will engage with a group of children/young people for a week (non-contact time is provided). You will supervise the children during mealtimes and lead activities such as wide games, rounders and arts/crafts as well as exploring Fairthorne Manor and the surrounding area and all it has to offer. You will be camping in the same tent village as the children/young people and will therefore need to be available to attend to any matters arising overnight. The Residential Camps are often the most rewarding role but are also potentially the most demanding due to the unsociable hours.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• At all times work within the YMCA Way.
• Actively engage children/young people, providing encouragement and support
• Being a welcoming and caring individual and an inspirational role model
• To act as a keyworker for early years children
• Working with and respecting others in a large and diverse team
• Being responsible for children’s welfare and pastoral needs during their stay
• Leading activities such as bug hunting, den building, obstacle course, blind trail, sports and games and arts and crafts
• Ensuring quality provision and consistency of care
• Supporting Activity Instructors in “Kitting up/down”
• Assisting in the supervision of children on Instructor led activities
• Supervising the children’s lunch & break times and during “tuck” time.
• Depending on age and ability, taking children to the toilet/helping them change out of wet clothes
• Managing children’s behaviour with support from the Age Group Leader
• Attending compulsory training to be competent to lead activities
• Anything else reasonably requested by the management of the charity.

Person Specification & Key Competencies

Qualifications and Experience:

• Good knowledge of safeguarding
• Experience working with children aged 4 to 16 ideally in a group environment.
• Experience of working with children with differing abilities and support needs.
• NVQ Level 2 in childcare/social care/play work/nursery/forest school OR another relevant qualification
• Sports/Outdoor experience or qualification
• Paediatric First Aid
• Behavioural management experience

Personal Attributes

• Sympathetic to the aims and purposes of the YMCA.
• An empathy and enjoyment of working with Children.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to actively engage with the children (and adults).
• Good leadership skills

Terms and Conditions

• This position will be subject to the normal terms and conditions for working within the YMCA.
• You will have a 30 minutes unpaid lunch break (where the children will have 1 hour). During your own lunch time you are welcome to stay with the children, but we do encourage you to take some personal “down time.”
• Compulsory Pre-Summer Daycamps Training Course:

For Daycamps staff

First Aid training – 1 day (You will be provided with a certificate and the qualification lasts 3 years. You will not be paid for attending the course).

Alternate training dates may be available for applicants in full time education or teaching jobs

Successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via Disclosure and Barring Service.

We are an equal opportunities charity with commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of this policy will be made available on request.

Please apply now for this rewarding position and be part of an amazing charity who continue to support and achieve wonderful things within the community.

For further information on YMCA Fairthorne Group, visit https://ymca-fg.org/.

YMCA was set up in England in 1844 and is now the largest and oldest youth charity in the world. Operating in 119 countries, each country is governed by a national council.

YMCA England & Wales is the national council for 116 YMCAs across England and Wales. Each YMCA is an independent charity that affiliates to YMCA England & Wales.

While YMCAs work and respond locally to support young people, YMCA England & Wales supports each local charity to deliver one or all five of our work areas: Accommodation, Family Work, Health and Wellbeing; Training and Education and Support and Advice.

We support local YMCAs by promoting high standards of working and sharing best practice. We drive the national brand strategy, campaigns, and policy and research, advising and supporting YMCAs to engage communities, stakeholders and supporters locally.

We give YMCAs a national voice by speaking with government, key policy makers and national media, and we represent them by advocating the needs of young people in England and Wales.

Our Fundraising department and Retail operation, which spans across the country, provide us with the funds to help young people reach their full potential.