The Children’s Society is a leading children’s charity committed to making childhood better. We work with children across the country, providing the right support at the right time. We commissioned The Good Childhood® Inquiry; the UK's first independent national inquiry into childhood. Its aims were to renew society's understanding of modern childhood and to inform, improve and inspire all our relationships with children.

Right Track National Initiative is funded to disseminate best practice as developed by Right Track with the aim of improving Every Child Matters Outcomes for up to 13,000 Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) children and young people throughout England.

We need more Sessional Project Workers to join our team.

If you:

· Have an understanding of the issues facing young BAME people today
· Are committed to listening to young people.
· Have knowledge of the Youth Justice system.
· Would like to work in a team who believe BAME young people should be treated fairly and with respect
· Can act as a positive role model for BAME young people

Then we would like you to join our team.

We are hoping to appoint a group of sessional workers who will reflect the gender and the ethnicity of all the young people we work with and who will support the young people to deliver training throughout England.

With a Level 2 qualification you will be experienced in using participatory methods to work with BAME children, backed with a commitment to anti-oppressive practices and an empathy with those facing personal crises. The ability to speak an Asian or African language would be advantageous.

Hours are as and when necessary.

This recruitment is on-going and interviews will be held intermittently.

Funded until 31 March 2011.

Sessional Project Worker

Location:

Bristol but may involve travel national travel

Reward Band:

Project Staff II SCN £11.39 - £12.97 per hour

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

RTNI Co-ordinator

Job Purpose: 

• Reduce the adverse impact of Systems on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) young people, particularly in relation to schools and the Youth Justice System
• Offer appropriate support and information to BAME young people involved in the National Initiative
• Enable BAME young people to share their experiences nationally and have their voice heard
• Enable the Children’s Society’s work to be recognised nationally
• Monitor and evaluate the project’s activities to inform future developments

Key Activities: 

• Enable BAME young people to express their concerns and options on issues that affect their ability to improve their life changes
• Through key activities assist BAME young people to develop their skills, knowledge and self-confidence, which will enable them to deliver training
• Assist in the development of models of participation, enabling the voices of BAME young people to be heard in the decision–making processes that affect them
• Keep accurate and detailed records of work, ensuring the Society’s codes of confidentiality and standards are adhered to
• Maintain effective systems for monitoring, evaluating and reporting purposes
• With Trainers, prepare and deliver bespoke training and existing training packages to external agencies that enable dissemination of good practice
• Develop and deliver appropriate consultation work with the full participation of children and young people in accordance with current legislation and safe practice

Attainments:

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

Experience

• Be experienced in working with groups of children and young people who face discrimination
• Be experienced in working with the BAME community
• Be experienced in working with young people involved in the Youth Justice System
• Have experience of working with a wide age range of children and young people

Qualifications

• Level 2 qualification or equivalent skills
• A qualification in Social Work (CQSW/DipSW/CSS), Youth and Community Work or similar qualification working with young people and/or extensive experience of work with BAME young people in the Youth Justice System

Work based knowledge

Have a clear understanding of

• Children’s rights and a commitment to promoting those rights
• The Youth Justice System and law relating to children

Skills

• The ability to act creatively and respond to new and challenging situations
• The ability to act on their own initiative and co-work

Core Competencies:

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

• Identify areas for improvement and take action to achieve desired and agreed outcomes
• Communicates effectively with others in other parts of the organisation or externally on day-to-day matters
• Relates well to others, internal and external
• Uses resources efficiently
• Shares timely and accurate information with others
• Build and maintain good levels of service
• Ensures service delivery reflects the needs of stakeholders
• Recognises and values diverse and different perspectives
• Identifies opportunities for children and young people to be heard and involved meaningfully in our work to make a difference
• Take pride in achieving results

Other Competencies: 

• Be able to build direct and constructive relationships with children and young people
• Can develop with others, both young people and adults, packages to improve outcomes for BAME children
• Demonstrates a commitment in diversity and equality in working relationships and practices
• Able to build effective networks with users, colleagues and stakeholders
• Adds value to the organisation as a whole by sharing own learning and best practice
• Collaborates with others in order to create workable solutions and positive outcomes
• Aware of quality standards and takes steps to improve the quality of service delivery
• Ensures the effective monitoring and evaluation of the provision of service of the project
• Make efficient use of IT
• Work in such a way as to avoid and prevent accidents or damage to health to themselves or to others, co-operate with management and obey all reasonable instructions in order to achieve a safe and healthy working environment

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Regular work out of core hours (evenings or weekends) required
• Based in Bristol but may be required to travel nationally

(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 The Society you will require:

• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the Children’s Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe