NCS Summer Work

They have application deadlines in waves - check the website for the next one, sooner is better though.
You can choose to apply for multiple roles, and if you get assessed, they choose which job would best suit you, even if you didn't originally apply for it, so you might as well apply for all the roles you wouldn't mind doing. Voluntary experience seems to go down very well with them, so milk that as much as you can.

The assessment day has 30-40 applicants at it, split into groups of 10-12. You get assessed by different assessors, doing different tasks. Some tasks are group work: planning a social action project and presenting it, role-playing challenging situations you might encounter, other stuff probably. Individual work includes telling your group about a charity visit they'll be doing but keeping them interested, running an activity whilst people misbehave, presenting a pre-planned icebreaker activity, and things I can't remember.
There are also group discussions where a question is asked and people take turns answering. The questions are about why you want to work with NCS, situations you might encounter, how young people benefit, stuff like that.

Or it might be totally different outside of Manchester for all I know!

What kind of icebreakers did people do? What kind of thing are they looking for exactly?

I can't say if they're asking for icebreakers in this year's application cycle or your location, but general advice for presenting icebreakers:

-Keep it simple, it's only going to be done the once, and explanation time should be minimal.
-Don't rely on props - you can throw around keys or a ball to prompt people to speak, but the icebreaker shouldn't revolve around a physical game (unless you have an awesome fun icebreaker which does!)
-Talking based icebreakers are the best, ones which could be used in a group-of-young-people situation, such as getting them to talk to each other when meeting, or getting them to brainstorm, or getting them to explore feelings about something, or use a particular interpersonal skill.
-Whatever icebreaker you go for, be completely 100% confident in explaining and leading it - if you're telling others to act like an animal, then you do your completely over the top kangaroo impression.
-If it's not working, spice it up, add a new dimension or encourage people.

Some examples - getting people to unravel a human knot (teamwork/problem solving), learning as many facts as they can about each other (first meeting), moo-off (noisiest team wins, energiser).
Basically it doesn't matter what you do, it's your style of delivery that matters. The point of asking applicants to prepare icebreakers is so they think about delivery, and you can start off the assessment on their terms, to ease applicants in and make them feel comfortable and in control before you move onto unknown tasks. It's not a massive deal, just lead it naturally. They're certainly not judging you on the 'quality' of the icebreaker itself - it's not a competition.

Best of luck!

This was very helpful. I have an assessment tomorrow.

Not worried as I do a lot of youth work as well as being an Associate Mentor with NCS before. Delivery and explanation is key. If there's questions after you've explained it. You know it didn't go well.

I can't say if they're asking for icebreakers in this year's application cycle or your location, but general advice for presenting icebreakers:

-Keep it simple, it's only going to be done the once, and explanation time should be minimal.
-Don't rely on props - you can throw around keys or a ball to prompt people to speak, but the icebreaker shouldn't revolve around a physical game (unless you have an awesome fun icebreaker which does!)
-Talking based icebreakers are the best, ones which could be used in a group-of-young-people situation, such as getting them to talk to each other when meeting, or getting them to brainstorm, or getting them to explore feelings about something, or use a particular interpersonal skill.
-Whatever icebreaker you go for, be completely 100% confident in explaining and leading it - if you're telling others to act like an animal, then you do your completely over the top kangaroo impression.
-If it's not working, spice it up, add a new dimension or encourage people.

Some examples - getting people to unravel a human knot (teamwork/problem solving), learning as many facts as they can about each other (first meeting), moo-off (noisiest team wins, energiser).
Basically it doesn't matter what you do, it's your style of delivery that matters. The point of asking applicants to prepare icebreakers is so they think about delivery, and you can start off the assessment on their terms, to ease applicants in and make them feel comfortable and in control before you move onto unknown tasks. It's not a massive deal, just lead it naturally. They're certainly not judging you on the 'quality' of the icebreaker itself - it's not a competition.

Best of luck!

I can't say if they're asking for icebreakers in this year's application cycle or your location, but general advice for presenting icebreakers:

-Keep it simple, it's only going to be done the once, and explanation time should be minimal.
-Don't rely on props - you can throw around keys or a ball to prompt people to speak, but the icebreaker shouldn't revolve around a physical game (unless you have an awesome fun icebreaker which does!)
-Talking based icebreakers are the best, ones which could be used in a group-of-young-people situation, such as getting them to talk to each other when meeting, or getting them to brainstorm, or getting them to explore feelings about something, or use a particular interpersonal skill.
-Whatever icebreaker you go for, be completely 100% confident in explaining and leading it - if you're telling others to act like an animal, then you do your completely over the top kangaroo impression.
-If it's not working, spice it up, add a new dimension or encourage people.

Some examples - getting people to unravel a human knot (teamwork/problem solving), learning as many facts as they can about each other (first meeting), moo-off (noisiest team wins, energiser).
Basically it doesn't matter what you do, it's your style of delivery that matters. The point of asking applicants to prepare icebreakers is so they think about delivery, and you can start off the assessment on their terms, to ease applicants in and make them feel comfortable and in control before you move onto unknown tasks. It's not a massive deal, just lead it naturally. They're certainly not judging you on the 'quality' of the icebreaker itself - it's not a competition.

Best of luck!

Hi all, I have a PRACTITIONER assessment coming up anyone had one in the past would be helpful to know what is coming

Anybody else going for assessment session tomorrow morning in Waterloo? Or went today and has any tips? Rather nervous!

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Don't get too nervous, and don't show any negative behaviour (sarcasm, blaming others in groups, putting down ideas) at all.

This is an opportunity to show your fun, creative side so don't hold back - it's far better to be 'over-keen' (you can't really be over-keen though) than under-keen. They want staff who are going to work well with the kids and each other (assuming you're going for a delivery role) so be confident but not overbearing, be positive, try to have fun in your tasks.

Thanks my only issue with that will be sarcasm I think, the kids I've been working with the past couple of years are a very sarcastic bunch so it'll be getting that out of my system! Think the rest will be fairly okay once I get over the nerves of being there.

I have the same assessment too in Waterloo. I've seen a lot of mixed reviews on the assessments itself but I was randomly curious about what the dress code is on the day. Is it more or less casual? I'm looking forward to the experience of the day whether I get it or not

I have a support worker assessment on Saturday. My friend had hers last Saturday and helped me out a bit but I don't know if they will be different as a lot of the tasks people are talking about on here are different to what she did! Anyone else done a support worker assessment? Thank you so much for any help

I can't say if they're asking for icebreakers in this year's application cycle or your location, but general advice for presenting icebreakers:

-Keep it simple, it's only going to be done the once, and explanation time should be minimal.
-Don't rely on props - you can throw around keys or a ball to prompt people to speak, but the icebreaker shouldn't revolve around a physical game (unless you have an awesome fun icebreaker which does!)
-Talking based icebreakers are the best, ones which could be used in a group-of-young-people situation, such as getting them to talk to each other when meeting, or getting them to brainstorm, or getting them to explore feelings about something, or use a particular interpersonal skill.
-Whatever icebreaker you go for, be completely 100% confident in explaining and leading it - if you're telling others to act like an animal, then you do your completely over the top kangaroo impression.
-If it's not working, spice it up, add a new dimension or encourage people.

Some examples - getting people to unravel a human knot (teamwork/problem solving), learning as many facts as they can about each other (first meeting), moo-off (noisiest team wins, energiser).
Basically it doesn't matter what you do, it's your style of delivery that matters. The point of asking applicants to prepare icebreakers is so they think about delivery, and you can start off the assessment on their terms, to ease applicants in and make them feel comfortable and in control before you move onto unknown tasks. It's not a massive deal, just lead it naturally. They're certainly not judging you on the 'quality' of the icebreaker itself - it's not a competition.

Best of luck!