SCARPA is a city centre project working with young people involved in risky situations resulting from them running away / going missing.

Research has shown young people often run due to conflict or issues at home. SCARPA believes that if we can succesfully work not only with young people but also their families then we can achieve a reduction in running away by young people due to a more stable home environment.

The role will involve a mix of direct casework, as well as liasion with partner agencies across Newcastle who offer significant support to families.

If you feel motivated to deliver and shape the family element of the SCARPA service alongside our project workers currently supporting young people we’d like to hear from you.

You will have experience of and be excellent at building relationships with families experiencing difficult situations. A professional qualification in social work, youth and community work or similar is desirable.

Hours of work will be 37 per week. This post is currently funded for 12 months from start date.

Interviews will be held on 29th July 2008.  

SCARPA Family Project Worker

Location:

• Safeguarding Children At Risk - Prevention and Action (SCARPA), Newcastle

Reward Band:

• Project Worker II SC: £20,193 - £26,130 - 37 hrs per wk

Reporting to:

•  Programme Manager

Job purpose:

• To deliver the work of SCARPA thereby ensuring that the families of children and young people involved in running away / going missing receive support, information, and services to meet their needs.

Key activities:

• To provide family support and mediation work with young people and their families in accordance with current legislation and good practice guidelines through a variety of outreach and referral methods
• To work within SCARPA and organisational guidelines to effectively safeguard young people and follow local policy regarding any concerns about young people
• To build positive relationships with families to enhance skills, knowledge and self-confidence leading to a reduction in young people feeling the need to runaway where family issues have been identified as a contributing factor.
• To work in partnership with other relevant voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure the project’s development both locally and nationally.
• To contribute effectively to a multi-agency setting to ensure a positive referral system leading to effective interventions with young people and their families.
• To develop models of participation enabling the voices of families to be heard in the decision making processes that affect them
• To raise awareness of the issues raised by the families of young people involved in running away, and utilise appropriate child protection systems where appropriate
• To contribute to the administration of the project by undertaking tasks that support effective delivery of services, monitoring and evaluation of work and the maintenance of accurate records.
• To contribute to the projects learning and development by attending conferences, seminars and training events, and attending local and national meetings to make a strategic contribution.

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Experience

• Substantial relevant experience in working with families where young people are at risk, from diverse backgrounds
• Experience of supporting people who are dealing with complex and sensitive issues
• Experience of advice or advocacy work with vulnerable families
• Experience of working within a team.

Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification e.g. diploma in social work, certificate in youth and community work or related NVQ is desirable
• A relevant mediation qualification – or a willingness to attain one.

Work based knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of methods in building positive relationships with families experiencing difficulties
• Awareness of issues affecting families containing young people who run away
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and child protection systems.

Skills

• Family working and group working skills
• IT Skills (Microsoft Word, Outlook Express, PowerPoint).

Core competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Provide a service to others:

• Understand issues and concerns faced by the families of young people who runaway. Able to develop effective responses to the issues by constructing positive relationships that can lead to positive outcomes

Build and Maintain Relationships

• Able to relate well to others, being an active member of the team, and building good relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Manage Resources

• Effectively use and control a selection of resources to provide a high quality service to families

Communicate With Others

• Able to speak clearly with carers, young people and professionals using language appropriate to the situation. Written information is presented clearly with an appropriate structure

Agree and Meet Targets

• A commitment to achieving high quality results and ensuring that tasks are followed through

Manage Yourself

• Effective time management is shown.  Initiative is used to solve problems and opportunities for learning are sought.

Continuous Improvement

• A commitment to improving practice and trying new methods. An awareness of quality standards and an ability to take steps to improve service delivery

Leading Others

• Co-operates well with team leader and colleagues, responding positively to suggestions and feedback and can show some leadership when required.

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Working with families experiencing difficulty can be stressful. Regular supervision will occur as a matter of course, a high level of support will be provided, and an emphasis will be placed on health and safety.
• This post may involve irregular hours, including late evenings, early mornings, and weekend working.

(Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions)

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and in The Children’s Society you will require:

• An understanding and acceptance of the principles of the organisation
• An ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice with young people, their families, the project and others that you have contact with
• A willingness to adhere to all internal policies that promote safe practice and staff welfare
• A commitment to ensuring that the needs and rights of all young people are upheld5. A desire to improve your own practice and learn from others.

Files/File/SCARPA FAMILY WORKER INFORMATION - 23.6.08.doc