Volunteer Play Assistant for autistic children
Focus Surrey
We are looking for volunteers to help support children with autism in a fun, friendly and child-centred environment. You need to be energetic, reliable and committed, as you will be active and on your feet regularly with your allocated child. Ideally you will have some experience of working with children and be interested in developing your understanding of children with disabilities.
Calling all people with an interest in working with children with autism, including those in the teaching and care professions, plus students in psychology and therapy fields, this is a career-enhancing opportunity for you. As a play assistant you will work 1:1 or 2:1 with two children (one in the morning and one in the afternoon) on specific targets and create learning opportunities through play and fun in a natural environment setting. Play assistants will be paired with a specific child based on experience and qualifications. The age range is 3 to 16 years. You will receive two full days of training to help children practise social and early years’ skills, in line with the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), an evidence-based approach. The club is led by a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA). You will receive ongoing training and supervision. All volunteers go through a reference check and an Enhanced DBS check, and receive a certificate of participation and attendance. The confirmed club dates are: 21st February (Training Day 1); 28th February; 7th March; 14th March (Training Day 2); 21st March; 28th March; 18th April; 25th April; 2nd May; 9th May; 16th May and 23rd May Please note the two training days on 21st February and 14th March are mandatory for all volunteers to attend.
Advice, information & support,Befriending, buddying and mentoring,Caring,Support work
Art & Craft, Cleaning & Tidying, Evaluating & Reviewing, Teamwork
We are looking for volunteer play assistants to help support children with autism in a fun, friendly and child-centred environment. You need to be energetic, reliable and committed, as you will be active and on your feet regularly with your allocated child. Ideally you will have some experience of working with children and be interested in developing your understanding of children with disabilities.
This is the ideal opportunity to help start your chosen career or give your career a boost by learning new practical skills and behaviour-based strategies which you can use with any child. We can provide volunteer placements for those requiring experience for your studies - please ask for details. So far we have trained more than 500 volunteers over 15 terms. Feedback taken each term indicated that 100% of volunteers surveyed would recommend the volunteering experience. The feedback each term from volunteers, parents and children has been overwhelmingly positive. One volunteer said: "My experience here has been incredible – I could not have imagined it to go any better! It was a perfect balance between challenging and fun. Staff were amazing and always there when needed and volunteers were all lovely. Very well-run centre. Everyone should volunteer.”
12 Saturdays, 9am to 4pm each Saturday
N/A
Morden
The venue is in Morden, accessible by bus routes 80, 93 and 154. It is a 15-minute walk from Morden Station
40
