The Children’s Society are looking for an experienced Project Worker to join a new team who will be providing independent intensive support to children and young people at risk on the streets in Coventry. By empowering young people they will have better emotional health, improved family and peer relationships, confidence to use universal provision and know how to stay safe. You will have to work flexibly, encourage young people to be involved in the development of the project, and keep accurate records so the work can be evaluated effectively.

You must have a professional qualification in a child care related field such as Youth and Community, Social Work or Education, and experience of working with vulnerable children and young people in a child-focused way.

We are looking to recruit a diverse team from a range of backgrounds and therefore would be pleased to hear from people who reflect this.

The post is open to secondment.

For an informal discussion please contact Judy Wigfull, Assistant Director Central Region, on 07841 322 617.

Hours of work will be 21 per week.

Title:

Project Worker

Location:

 The Children’s Society – Safe in the City – Coventry City Centre location to be confirmed

 Reward Band:

£20,193 to £26,130 pro rata (Project Worker II - SC)

Reporting To:

Programme Manager

Hours of Work:

21 Hours Per Week

Job Purpose:

• To provide intensive support, information and advocacy to children and young people at high risk of or involved in running away.
• To work with families, and other agencies to ensure young people on the streets have the support, advice and services required to meet their needs.

Key Activities:

• To reduce the incidence of running away by providing intensive support to children and young people who are identified at high risk of running away
• To provide accessible information, advice and advocacy service to young people so they develop alternative strategies to running away, or minimise the risk to their safety if they do
• To build positive relationships with children and young people so they develop the skills, knowledge and self-confidence that enable them to respond to the issues affecting them
• To work with families and other agencies to ensure children and people at risk of running away have access to the support they need
• To develop models of participation enabling the voices of children and young people to be heard in the decision-making processes that affect them
• To raise awareness of issues faced by children and young people running away, in accordance with current legislation and good practice guidelines, utilising child protection systems when appropriate
• To work in partnership with the police, social services, education and other relevant voluntary and statutory agencies to develop a quality service for children and young people who go missing from care and home
• To produce and maintain written records, statistics and reports, which will be used to evaluate the Project and influence policy at local and national level

Attainments:

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

Experience:

• Substantial experience of work with young people experiencing a range of difficulties
• Of working in a variety of cultures
• Of listening, assessment, advocacy, negotiation and communication (written and oral) with / for children and young people.
• Of working creatively with other professionals

Qualification:

• A professional qualification in a Child Care related field such as Youth and Community, Social Work or Education.

Work based knowledge:

• Of advocacy practice.
• Working knowledge of child protection and confidentiality as it relates to children and young people.

Skills:

• Able to defuse and sensitively handle situations, which are potentially confrontational.
• Ability to work on own initiative and to reflect on own practice and performance.
• Basic administrative and IT skills.

 
Core Competencies:

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

• Build and maintain good levels of service on behalf of children and young people who run away
• Relate well to children and young people for whom the service is provided
• Communicate effectively with children and young people, parents and external agencies
• Identify areas for improving the services for children and young people who run away
• Relate well to others internal and external to the organisation
• Take a leadership role within the team where appropriate
• Use resources efficiently and maintain a high standard of recording

Special Job Circumstances:

• Travel will be required in the Coventry area and occasionally nationally which may include overnight stays
• This post requires the successful applicant to have a driving licence, and access to his/her own transport. Access to suitable alternative travel arrangements for people with disabilities would be essential.
• Will require some evening work with children and young people

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

•  A commitment to the Vision, Mission & Values of The Children’s Society
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice
• A commitment to a child centred approach to the work
• A commitment to upholding the rights of children and young people
  

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