Volunteer opportunity at our Saturday club working with children with autism
Play assistant positions available in Morden, Greater London from September 2026 from 9am to 1pm.
Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/vyg85VrHjJ
Calling all people with an interest in supporting children with autism or special needs, including those in the teaching and care professions, plus students in psychology and therapy fields, this is a career-enhancing opportunity for you!
We are looking for volunteers to help support children with autism and communication difficulties 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.
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) and UK Society of Behaviour Analysts Consultant in Autism. We provide two full training days in order for you to develop your understanding of autism, ABA and the skills required for the position.
As a play assistant you will work 1:1 or 2:1 with two children 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.
All volunteers go through a reference check and an Enhanced DBS check, and receive a certificate of participation and attendance.
Focus Surrey will run Term 18 of its popular Saturday club for autistic children aged 3 to 16 for 12 Saturdays between September to December 2026, from 9am to 1pm each day.
The confirmed club dates are: Training Day 1 - 19th September (9am to 4pm); Club Day 1 - 26th September; Club Day 2 -3rd October; Club Day 3 - 10th October; Training Day 2 -17th October (9am to 4pm); Club Day 4 - 24th October; Half Term break (no club) 31st October; Club Day 5 - 7th November; Club Day 6 - 14th November; Club Day 7 - 21st November; Club Day 8 - 28th November; Club Day 9 - 5th December; Club Day 10 - 12th December.
Please note the two training days on 19th September and 17th October are mandatory.
The venue is in Morden, accessible by bus routes 80, 93 and 154. It is a 15-minute walk from Morden Station.
Children aged 3 to 16 will attend the club from 10am to 12pm.
From 9am-10am and 12pm to 1pm each club day, volunteers will receive additional training and advice and they will help to prepare and tidy away materials.
We will be following government guidelines to maintain all Covid-19 recommended measures in place to keep the volunteers and children safe.
We can provide volunteer placements for those requiring experience for your studies or for the Duke of Edinburgh Award - please ask for details.
This is the ideal opportunity to help start your chosen career or to give back something to the local community. It will give your career a boost by learning new practical skills and behaviour-based strategies which you can use with any child.
So far we have trained more than 500 volunteers over 17 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.”
To apply, please fill in the online application at: https://forms.office.com/r/vyg85VrHjJ
CLUB DATES
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Website: focus-surrey.com
Instagram: @focusabaclubsurrey
Facebook: @ABASurreyFocus
Twitter: @focus_surrey
Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer
Expected hours: 4.0 per week
Work Location: In person
