Front Page
Picture - Image description: Members of the Mortal Fools' Youth Theatre stand side by side on stage applauding during a performance of I Weigh.
Practitioner Candidate Pack
Page one
Visual depiction of Mortal Fools' values
Value one: CONTRIBUTING - Everyone Matters
Value two: GROWING - Becoming More
Value three: WITH OTHERS - Better Together
Value four: AS OURSELVES - Always Authentic 
Page Two
A message from our Artistic Director Kiz Crosbie including image.
Image description: A black and white photo of Kiz Crosbie, Artistic Director of Mortal Fools - a smiling white woman with dark curly hair.
Kiz Crosbie - Welcome to the world of Mortal Fools! Thank you for your interest in joining our organisation. 
There's no doubt that the last 18 months have been challenging for everyone in the cultural sector but for Mortal Fools, and many organisations like us, it's also been a highly productive and rewarding time.
Now, we move into an exciting new phase of growth and development for our organisation and we need new folks to join our team to help shape our future. 
Our staff team is made up of those people whose main focus is to keep the organisation functioning well, co-create brilliant things with young people and professional artists and to connect with those who do and could benefit from our work. You can get to know some of them and their roles on our Staff Team page on our website. 
We want to work with people who want to play their part in improving lives through the co-creation of high-quality, socially-engaged and innovative theatre works with children, young people and communities. In the last 18 months, we have created audio theatre, theatre for film, an online storytelling game, digital training, online creative resources and live theatre - our artists have worked as directors, dramaturgs, writers, devisers, composers, lyricists, actors and designers - and all staff have contributed to developing these plans and then making it all happen.
You can find out about our current and past projects on our website to see the type of work we do.
We look forward to receiving your application - Kiz
Page Three
Picture - Image description: The cast of I Weigh look down whilst a cast member performs a monologue.
"You can be whoever you want to be here and nobody will judge you" - Youth Theatre Member Testimonial
Page Four
About us - Our purpose
Mortal Fools is a multi-award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning charity, based in Northumberland.
Our purpose is to support people to have better quality inter-personal relationships with one another and to use theatre and drama-based activities to achieve this - helping people connect, have fun, learn and grow together.
We are a company of participatory artists, practitioners and support staff who are committed to co-creating compelling, dynamic, socially-relevant and high-quality theatre with children, young people and communities. We prioritise working with children and young people who need our work the most. 
This might be because they:
Are socially-isolated and need places to connect with others and make friends.
Are geographically-isolated and don't have ready access to other high quality drama and theatre provision.
Have specific social or emotional needs which can be addressed with a creative intervention.
Are excluded from other provision because of barriers like cost or accessibility.
Page Five:
About us - Our purpose continued
We work with 1,000s of children and young people every year, mostly in the North East of England, and we advocate for theatre created for and by young people to be recognised and supported as an important art form in our sector. 
We do this by touring our work nationally, supporting participatory artists to train in co-creation and pursuing positive wellbeing outcomes across all our work. 
We are a sector leader in the North East in supporting professional theatre artists to develop their co-creation practice with, by and for children and young people. 
As well as artist development, we also deliver training workshops for adults, with a range of multi-sector organisations through our CONNECT programme. Our training approach uses a unique combination of practice, theory and research from the creative sector and the social sciences, to lead participants through a practical training process of identifying personal strengths, increasing knowledge, and developing new skills. The income from this work subsidises core costs and our young people's programmes.
Our work is supported by Arts Council England, Northumberland County Council and a range of Trusts, Foundations, and supporters.
Page Six:
About Us - Our Work
With Young People
We specialise in co-creation with children and young people aged 7-25, delivering a variety of activities and projects throughout the year.
Our sessions take place in various settings, including school and educational settings, out-of-school groups and youth work settings, and community events like Northumberland Pride. Through these sessions, young people connect with our work in a range of different ways:
Light engagements - like watching a show or coming to a few workshops.
Moderate engagements - like taking part in a series of workshops and co-creating work over a fixed-term time period.
Deep engagements - like working on multiple projects with us over a long period of time.
We share the work we make through digital platforms and live performances, both locally and nationally through touring and sharing events. 
We advocate for theatre made with young people to be recognised as professional theatre. It is important to us that our staff team values and promotes the work we create with young people, and that our practitioners view it as a prolific part of their own artistic portfolio.
These are just a few examples of some of the work we've created for, by and with young people over the course of the last 3 years: Let Us Tell You, When The World is Loud, Melva Online, Coronavirus Time Capsule, Relentless and I Weigh.
Image Description: A young white boy, wearing a handmade feather headband, holding up his left hand and shouting excitedly.
Page Seven
About Us - Our Work Continued
With individuals, businesses and organisations: CONNECT.
CONNECT is our training and professional development programme for organisations, teams, and individuals.
It is delivered by experienced facilitators, directors and creative practitioners in environments which are genuinely supportive and accessible - both online and in-person. 
Our skills workshops provide opportunities for groups and individuals, and our participants range from large corporate companies and public bodies to SMEs and sole traders. 
Previous and current clients include: 
Virgin Money, Visual Arts Ireland, Newcastle University, National Trust, Ryder Architecture, Wakefield Lit Fest and Culture Bridge North East.
The fundamental principles of the CONNECT content forms a huge part of how we work together as a staff team, and our approach to professional development with all our staff.
Image Description: A group of adults, sat in circles during a CONNECT workshop, happily talking and interacting.
Page Eight
The Role
We are excited to be recruiting two new Practitioners to our team, to support the delivery and coordination of our growing programmes of work. 
We are looking for two skilled and enthusiastic practitioners, who want to specialise in the type of work Mortal Fools do and commit their time to developing their practice and delivering high-quality work with our beneficiaries. 
There are three main areas of work that we currently lack capacity in, which we are aiming to fill through these two roles:
1. Artistic delivery and facilitation across our young people's programmes
2. Professional delivery of our CONNECT training programme
3. Coordination support for both these strands of work
If you are confident that you can apply your skills and experience to any combination of those 3 areas*, then you are who we're looking for.
*Please note: Applicants must be able to demonstrate delivery capability in either young people's work, CONNECT professional training, or both. Please do not apply if your interest or skills lie solely in coordination.
Note: These appointments will be made on merit, but we believe that diversity strengthens and enriches us, and that it is the responsibility of all arts organisations to make the arts and cultural sector a more diverse and equal place. Black, South Asian, South East Asian, and East Asian people, people from ethnically diverse communities, and disabled people are currently under-represented at Mortal Fools, so we particularly encourage and welcome applications from these people.
Page Nine
The Role Continued
Reporting to: Creative Producer 
Contract: Employed, 12 month fixed term (potential to extend)
3 - 5 days per week (24 - 40 hours)
Salary: £23,000 - £28,000 pro rata, depending on experience and capability
Location: Various settings across Northumberland, Newcastle and Gateshead 
To Apply: Send the following documents to admin@mortalfools.org.uk with the subject:
Application: Practitioner
* Please ensure they are sent as separate attachments
• Application Form Part 1
• Application Form Part 2
• Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form
Application Deadline: 31st October 2021, 11:59pm
Successful candidates will be invited to interview and workshop in November 2021, with a projected 
start date of January 2021
Application: Application Form 
(if you prefer, you can complete Part 2 of your application form via video submission instead).
Page Ten
Role Summary
We believe that when it comes to job roles, it's not helpful to try fit people into boxes.
We want all our staff members to feel that their individual needs, interests and development goals are being met, whilst also ensuring the purpose of their role benefits the company and its growth. 
The responsibilities in these roles will be varied and will be allocated with appropriate salary levels, based on a combination of these factors:
Candidates' existing skills and experience.
Candidates' areas of interest or development.
The size of role candidates are able and want to take on (min. 3 days - max 5 days).
Stakeholder demands and the needs of the business.
Balance of workload.
These practitioner roles will inevitably adapt and develop over time, as we get to know our successful candidates better, and shape the role to get the best out of their personal potential. 
The role of Practitioner focuses predominantly on delivery.
They require a hands-on approach to delivering workshops, co-creating work, and supporting the needs of our beneficiaries.
Page Eleven
Key Responsibilities
The following responsibilities are key, whether you are working across our young people's programmes, CONNECT programme, or both:
Working with colleagues, partners, clients, young people and stakeholders in a professional, supportive, respectful manner.
Leading the delivery of projects and sessions - with young people, CONNECT clients, or both (depending on area of interest /skills and experience). 
Undertaking internal and external training and learning, to develop knowledge and skills in your areas of work, including: 
- Training sessions.
- Peer reflection sessions and skills shares
- Mentoring and line management meetings
- Team away days and development meetings
- Self-reflection 
Maintaining high standards of delivery and conduct.
Engaging with and acting upon feedback, training, mentoring and coaching from colleagues, line managers, external trainers and other stakeholders.
Arranging and completing planning and debriefing sessions with co-practitioners.
Undertaking project management tasks on agreed pieces of work, which may include:
- Project planning and preparation
- Communications with clients, partners, and stakeholders
Upholding our company values: Contributing, Growing, With Others, As Ourselves.
Complying with all Mortal Fools' policies.
Page Twelve
Key Responsibilities
Other responsibilities - specific to Young People's Programme:
Maintaining high standards of artistic output when co-creating with young people.
Building rapport with beneficiaries and supporting their personal skills development and wellbeing through activities.
Supporting with young people's events and working with the wider production team to make events a success.
Other responsibilities - specific to CONNECT Programme:
Planning and delivering training with wider CONNECT practitioner team (alongside other MF staff) including new recruits, when applicable.
Providing informal support for wider CONNECT practitioner team e.g. coaching, trouble-shooting and informal check-ins.
Additional responsibilities:
Candidates who express an interest and demonstrate appropriate skills will also be given coordination and project management responsibilities. These could include:
Building and maintaining partnerships.
Working with Leadership to develop new content and training.
Fundraising and reporting.
Evaluation and monitoring.
General administration tasks.
Promoting the work for Mortal Fools at events, conferences and presentations.
Page Thirteen 
Person Specification
You will be scored in your application based on how strongly you demonstrate these requirements in your application.
Essential Requirements: 
Experience (via education, training or work):
Relevant experience in a related field (e.g. arts/culture, teaching, training delivery, health/social sciences). 
Active engagement with personal development opportunities.
Experience working collaboratively with other practitioners, artists, facilitators or producers.
Experience in theatre and drama - e.g. directing, acting, devising, writing, or facilitating.
A demonstrable interest and commitment to Mortal Fools and the type of work we do.
Practicalities:
Based in the North East and able and willing to travel to locations across the region, with potential for travel to other locations in the UK for tours and partnership activities.
Availability to take on this role, including flexible availability for session delivery during the daytime and/or evenings.
Page fourteen
Person Specification Continued
Essential Requirements Continued:
Personal and professional attributes:
Motivated to support others to unlock their potential.
Keen to develop your own practice and learn alongside others via personal development and coaching / feedback.
A confident, professional, and personable demeanour when working with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
Skill in building rapport with people and supporting people's wellbeing.
Able to draw on knowledge and creative ideas to apply to planning, delivery, evaluation and practice development.
Able to work both as a team and autonomously.
Able to maintain high standards in your work.
The courage to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself.
Willing to work hard and commit to this type of work.
Enthusiasm, care and commitment for our company values, ethos and the type of work we do.
Page Fifteen 
Person Specification Continued
Additional essential requirements specific to the area/s of work you are applying for:
Young People's Programmes (YP) ESSENTIAL requirements:
Experience delivering high quality projects, sessions and co-created work with a range of children and young people as a practitioner.
Experience working in different young people's settings.
Flexible availability for regular evening and occasional weekend work.
CONNECT essential requirements:
Experience of facilitating workshops or learning environments, or relevant transferable skills.
Able to work with pre-prepared material and devise suitable new activities to meet clients' needs.
Flexible availability for session delivery during the daytime and/or evenings.
Image Description: A group of youth theatre performers are performing I Weigh on stage. 4 young people are carrying another young person, who has a worried look.
Page Sixteen
Person Specification Continued
Desirable Requirements:
An understanding of the charitable sector. 
Experience of project management type duties.
YP Programmes desirable requirements:
Experience in other art forms related to theatre & drama (e.g. music, creative writing, film).
Access to own transport e.g. car - many of our work locations are not well served by public transport.
An understanding of the PERMA wellbeing framework.
CONNECT desireable requirements:
Access to digital computing equipment and WiFi suitable for high quality digital delivery (equipment can also be provided by Mortal Fools). 
Access to an appropriate, uninterrupted home working space to lead online training sessions.
"Simply the best training I have ever done" - CONNECT participant testimonial.
Image Description: A class of school children watch a projected video of Mortal Fools' production ‘Melva'.
Page Seventeen 
"It is rare to find an organisation with this quality, community focus, and ambition" - Rob Huggins CEO Gosforth Civic Theatre // Liberdade Charity testimonial
Full page image -Image Description- Two actors, dressed in hats and scarves, perform in the Mortal Fools' production of ‘Melva'. They are sitting in an icy shelter and have surprised looks on their faces.
Page Eighteen
Our Recruitment Promises
Recruitment is often a person's first contact with our organisation and we want to make that as positive an experience as possible, even for those people who don't go on to get a job with us.
For that reason, we have a series of recruitment promises...
Promise One: We issue recruitment information in a range of formats.
Our organisation is richer if it includes people with a range of lived experiences. No-one should miss out on a job because the information provided didn't meet their needs. We recognise we still have things to learn in this area and are committed to continuing to get better at this. 
We support the positive recruitment action in the Equality Act by offering all disabled candidates who score at least 2 on all person specifications an interview.
Promise Two: We accept written and video application formats. 
Sometimes written applications are not the most suitable way for a person to effectively apply for a job. If that's you, this alternative means you're not excluded.
Page Nineteen
Promise Three: We clearly explain what we expect to see demonstrated and evidenced in an application.
There's too much of "It's not what you know, it's who you know" that dictates success in the world, so all our applicants are assessed against the same criteria and without bias or favouritism. We provide a detailed recruitment pack and application form and explain specifically what we need you to reference and demonstrate in your application e.g. with reference to the job description and person specification.
Promise Four: We assess all applications anonymously against the same criteria. 
We want to have as equitable a recruitment process as possible. Your application is anonymised when it arrives, by someone not involved in shortlisting (including removing the names of any educational establishments attended). The applications are assessed using a numeric scoring system, based on how well you have demonstrated the qualities listed in the person specification. 
The scoring system is: 
0 = no evidence
1 = little evidence
2 = some evidence
3 = strong evidence
Promise Five: We reply to everyone who applies, providing all applicants with concise, personalised feedback.
We respect that it's taken you time and effort to submit a job application. In recognition of the time spent applying to us, we make sure to give our time in return by giving you a personalised response.
Page Twenty
Promise Six: We provide interview questions in advance to support preparation.
For those jobs where having the ability to think on the spot is a requirement, we'll ask some direct questions in our interviews. For all other situations, we want you to be enabled to give responses that are considered and that present what you want to say in a way that you're happy with. Knowing what you're going to be asked is even more important for supporting neurodivergent people appropriately. 
Promise Seven: We provide expenses to attend interviews. 
We can't pay everyone for the time they've taken applying to us, but we can recognise that it does take time with this small recompense.
Promise Eight: We provide detailed feedback to all interviewed unsuccessful candidates
You've put in all that time and effort to applying to work with us. There's likely been some stress and some disappointment. Even though you weren't offered a job, we want to support your learning and development and be transparent about why you weren't the fit for the role we were looking for.
Page Twenty-One
Why Work At Mortal Fools
"Of all the projects and organisations I have been associated with during this crisis [Covid-19 pandemic], Mortal Fools has been one of the most supportive and accessible. Kiz and her core team have been tenacious and thoughtful in their restructuring and communications - keeping the wellbeing and creative opportunities for their participants and associate practitioners at the forefront of their mission, even in the most challenging of circumstances." - Mortal Fools' Staff Testimonial 
Professional Development:
We want everyone who works with us to feel that they belong at Mortal Fools and that their efforts and skills are appreciated. Staff members are supported in their development through:
One-to-one feedback and mentoring.
Peer-to-peer support.
An environment where they are able to bring ideas, enthusiasm and talents to fruition.
The chance to work with a cross-sector network of national partners, expanding their professional networks and experience.
Training by external providers to meet their personal development goals relevant to this post.
A safe, supportive, inclusive, and fun company culture.
Opportunities to help shape the growth and development plans of the wider company.
Page Twenty-Two
Why Work At Mortal Fools Continued
"I feel uplifted and passionate every time I come to work with Mortal Fools. Everyone is respected and held in such high regard with one another. There is a sense that we are all on the forefront of a new dawn of company management - where each and every member of the company is an essential part of the Mortal Fools jigsaw." - Mortal Fools Staff Testimonial
Staff Benefits:
Above statutory holiday allowance: 
33 days per annum, including bank and public holidays.
Above statutory employer pension contribution of 4%, with employee contribution of 4%.
Office equipment allowance.
Wellbeing support.
Flexi-time system for working hours.
Image Description: A young white girl, wearing a handmade feather headband, shouting excitedly.
Page Twenty-Three
Half page image.
Image Description: Mortal Fools theatre practitioners and members of the youth theatre laugh together.
Please make sure you read this pack carefully, before completing your application.
If you have any questions, please check the FAQs listed on our Work With Us page before getting in touch directly.
We will be holding an optional drop-in session for all interested candidates on Monday 18th October via Zoom, 5pm-7pm. 
Attendance will not impact your application, but it will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have and meet some of the Mortal Fools team.
You can confirm your attendance to this event by emailing: admin@mortalfools.org.uk
Logo strip featuring Arts Council logo, Here For Culture logo, Northumberland County Council logo, Paul Hamlyn Foundation logo and Community Foundation logo.