Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and creative Activity Lead within the Learning Disability Respite Service, based at St Mary’s Hospital. You will have an important role in improving the lives and wellbeing of individuals with a learning disability during their stays at Woodland Square Respite service. If you have a passion for working with people who have a learning disability and you can deliver a creative and holistic approach, we would love to hear from you. 

Your enthusiasm, warmth and compassion is a fundamental part in helping our Service Users to feel respected, included and cared for. You will promote the core values of care, help maintain independence, dignity, assist with personal care and ensure the physical and emotional needs of our Service Users are met. You should have good communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with service users who have varying levels of communication, both verbal and non-verbal. 

This role is full time and will be split between the challenging behaviour and complex physical health units. You will be required to work varying hours which will include some evenings and weekends on a roster basis. You must be able to drive a mini-bus, and to meet LYPFT vehicle insurance stipulations, be 25 or over and have 2 years driving experience.

Main duties of the job

Successful applicants will be given a Trust and service induction, clinical supervision from and managerial supervision from nursing staff. You will complete service specific training such as Positive Behavioural Support (PBS), as well as additional learning opportunities relevant to the role.  There may also be development opportunities available such as apprenticeships. 

As an Activity Lead within the respite service, you will work holistically across both units, providing person centred care for people with a learning disability. You will support service users to engage in meaningful activities, facilitating them to attend day centres and community activities as well as providing opportunities on the units to support occupational engagement. This will include baking, music sessions, art sessions, organising and facilitating outings, any activity the service user enjoys. 
In the future you may also support the senior Occupational Therapist to complete occupational therapy assessments related to physical health, functional skills, engagement and sensory needs. You will also work collaboratively with other members of the wider MDT in the community services including nursing, physiotherapists, dieticians and speech and language therapists.

Working for our organisation

The Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LYPFT) is the main provider of Mental Health and Learning Disability services in Leeds. We also provide specialist inpatient services in York and some highly specialised services across the country. As a teaching trust with strong links to local universities, we are a centre of excellence for teaching, research and development.

There are many benefits of working for LYPFT including fantastic employee wellbeing support, 27 - 33 days annual leave, flexible working and remote working arrangements, the NHS Pension Scheme, coaching, support and opportunities for career development and training and education support alongside a range of exclusive discounts and payment schemes including for cars, extra leave days and more NHS Discount Offers.

We also have an incredible bank department, offering variety of roles in nursing, allied health professions, healthcare support worker and administration clerical. Permanent employees are automatically added to bank. 

Applicants should be aware that any individual requiring a visa to work in the UK, the Trust provides sponsorship for registered healthcare practitioner roles only (this does not include Healthcare Support Workers). This is an essential requirement, and the Trust is unable to offer you a role if you do not meet Trust requirements for sponsorship and Home Office requirements for a visa.