Research carried out by the Children’s Society shows that over 100,000 Children and Young People run away each year in the United Kingdom. One in twelve of these Young People are hurt or harmed.

Safe in the City aims to provide support to Birmingham children and young people who runaway, through independent return visits, group sessions, a personal development programme, mentoring and surgeries.

We wish to appoint an exceptional individual to help support and organise our mentoring work with children and young people at home and in care.

You will be able to demonstrate competence derived from practical experience of working with volunteers and have been educated to the equivalent of 5 GCSE (A-C grades). You will have experience of creative approaches to work with volunteers, and/or parents and children and young people face to face.

You will help to deliver a programme of work, which will include:

· Ensuring volunteers are successfully recruited and matched with young people
· Helping to deliver mentor training
· Supporting the delivery of group sessions
· Contributing to safeguarding children and young people across the city

You will be part of a strong team committed to providing information, guidance and support to children and young people who run away from home or care in Birmingham.

The post will be based at 7 New Spring Street North, Hockley, Birmingham. B18 7HQ.

Hours of work are 14 per week

Title Mentor

Support Worker   14 hours per week

Location

The Children’s Society Safe in the City

Reward Band

Project staff I (SA) £14790 – 19143 pro rata

Job Purpose

• To implement inducting and matching mentors, running workshops and training with mentors, young people and parents enabling them to better meet children and young peoples needs.
• To ensure that a high standard of child centred, quality practice is achieved in all work.
  

Reporting to

Birmingham Young Runaways Co-ordinator

Key activities

Relating to

Job purpose

• To work with the runaway support co-ordinator to jointly develop work with mentors by:
• Inducting mentors and befriender’s to become involved in a variety of intervention methods with young people at risk of running away from care;
• Setting up and supporting group workshops and training and supervision to enhance mentors’ understanding of their role with regard to young people’s safety, development and wellbeing
• Assist in developing creative ways to engage and match mentors and young people and supporting them to foster effective relationships
• Work with parents to develop a programme of befriending and support to parents
  Key activities

Relating to

Job Purpose

• To support/assist in the development of a range of resources promoting good practice which meet the targets of The Children's Society Programmes which reflects the Society’s requirement that work be child centred and of high quality by
• Keeping accurate and up to date records of work for the monitoring and development of the work;
• Taking a collaborative approach to the work including multi agency working;
• Meeting regularly with the Runaway support co-ordinator and engaging in supervision;
• Working as part of a team including involvement at team and project meetings;
• Adhering to The Children's Society policies with particular reference to child protection, confidentiality and safe practice;
• Demonstrating a commitment to equal opportunities, anti-oppressive practice and dignity at work;
  

Attainments

• Qualifications and Skills
• Educated to GCSE level A-C (or equivalent)
• The post holder should be able to demonstrate competence derived from substantial practical experience of working with volunteers and children/young people or families
• Have a sufficient IT skills to work competently with the Microsoft Office Suite of Word, Outlook and so on.

Core competencies

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

Continuously improve:-

• Take part in the planning, monitoring and development of the work with team colleagues;-
• Be committed to the development of the work and prepared to try different approaches where this is necessary

Aree and meet targets

• Commit to the quality standards required for the work and demonstrate the practice based upon that commitment;-
• Work with the Co-ordinator to achieve the outcomes, asking for guidance and support when required.

Manage self and Lead others:

• Have the ability to prioritise work and make effective use of time;
• Seek and agree personal development
• Build and maintain relationships

Communicate with others

• Show competence in liaising, consulting and negotiating with other agencies, professional colleagues and members of the community;
• Provide a service to others
• Be a good representative of The Children's Society by promoting the Society’s standards and approach in all that they do, from dealing with a query to taking part in planning and strategy group meetings.

Manage resources:

• Being careful in the use of resources
  

Special Job Circumstances

• Occasional evening may be required
• An enhanced CRB check will be required for this post.

(Please note: If you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of 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 principals and values of the organisation (as described in the literature provided in the recruitment pack).