Afterschool Assistant
Job description
THE EMPLOYER IS: OVER THE HEDGE WRAPAROUND As an Afterschool Assistant you will be working alongside colleagues to provide a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children attending Over The Hedge Wraparound CIC. You will be ensuring the implementation of the daily routine in the Afterschool Room. This role will require you to work closely with the team and liaise with parents.
Responsibilities
- Support the Manager in the day to day running of Over the Hedge.
- Encourage the development of a warm relationship between staff and children.
- Assist in the promotion of Over the Hedge to ensure full usage.
- In consultation with the Manager prepare a forward plan of activities and prepare all the daily programme of activities.
- Ensure that attention is paid to the children’s physical and emotional needs.
- Adapt to different children, groups of children and different routines, with a flexible attitude.
- Work as part of a team and use own initiative in responding to particular situations.
- Promote the development of social skills in the children through their relationship with other children and adults.
- To be flexible within working practices of Over the Hedge CIC. Be prepared to help where needed, including to undertake certain domestic jobs within the afterschool club, e.g. preparation of snacks, cleaning of equipment etc.
- Report any accidents or illnesses immediately.
- Implement Health and Safety Regulations and ensure the afterschool room is clean and tidy.
- Ensure child protection guidelines are implemented and report all suspected abuse or incidences to the Designated Officer (Manager).
- To be involved in out of working hours activities, eg training, staff meetings, teambuilding, etc.
- Adhere to policies and practices of Over the Hedge Wraparound CIC.
- Ensure child is collected by someone known to Over the Hedge Wraparound CIC.
- The preparation and completion of activities to suit the child's stage of development.
- To ensure that snack times are a time of pleasant social sharing.
- Providing comfort and warmth to an ill child.
- To ensure Over the Hedge Wraparound CIC is a high-quality environment to meet the needs of individual children from differing cultures and religious backgrounds, and stages of development.
- To be aware of the high profile of Over the Hedge Wraparound and to always uphold its standards.
- Look upon Over the Hedge Wraparound CIC as a whole where can your help be most utilised, be constantly aware of the needs of children.
- Liaise with the Manager about need for resources.
- Carry out other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Manager.
Skills and Qualifications
Essential Skills
- Show experience of working within a busy team, be able to use own initiative.
- Have some experience of working with children. Be open to the possibility of completing some kind of childcare qualification.
- Be willing to undertake Child Protection training and Paediatric First Aid training.
- Applicants must be willing and able to complete an AccessNI form and social services vetting procedures, which will include a medical form being filled in by their GP.
- Anyone with a criminal record or medical issues will be required to attend an interview with our registering social worker to determine their suitability for the role.
Desirable Skills
- A Childcare qualification.
Further Information
The Employer is: OVER THE HEDGE WRAPAROUND JobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information. Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week. Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach. Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment. The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer.
Application Information
JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.
- Vacancy ID
- 1749637
- Job Sector
- Childcare and Social Work
- Area
- Co Down
- Location
- Holywood
- Salary
- 16-17 £7.55, 18-20 £10.00, 21 plus £12.21 per hour
- No. vacancies
- 2
- Contract Type
- Temporary
- Weekly hours
- 25
- Published date
- 09/12/2025
- Closing date
- 19/01/2026
- Worktime
- Monday - Friday, hours between 1.30pm - 6.30pm