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.

The Children’s Society is developing a Student Transition Support Service to provide intensive support to young people in East Devon who require additional support during the transition period between primary and secondary school.

We’re looking for three Student Transition Support Service Workers (30 hours per week) to work with the Student Transition Support Service Co-ordinator and other professionals in the development and delivery of the Service.

You’ll be based at Honiton Children’s Centre on Fridays and will spend the rest of your working week working throughout East Devon.

Funding for this Service is provided by the East Devon Local Children’s Trust and is currently secured until 31st March 2011.

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

Interview date: w/c 29 March 2010.

All recruitment documents are available in alternative formats. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Charity Registration No. 221124
We strive to be an equal opportunities employer

Student Transition Support Service Worker  (30 hours per week)

Location:

Student Transition Support Service, East Devon

Reward Band:

Project Worker 1 (SAN)

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

Student Transition Support Service Co-ordinator

Job Purpose:

• To work with the Student Transition Support Service Co-ordinator and other professionals in the development and delivery of a service which will provide intensive support services to identified targeted children and young people during the transition period between primary and secondary school.

Key Activities:

• Contribute to assessment of need and offer interventions as appropriate to children and young people and their families within the referral criteria
• Manage a caseload of young people with a focus on moving them into positive outcomes
• Guide young people through their options and choices and help them to make lifestyle decisions
• Work within a network of voluntary, community and statutory agencies to assist and support activities and remove barriers
• Involve young people in the review and development of the services available to them.

Attainments:

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

Experience

• Experience in direct work with children and adults and confidence in using a child centred approach to work

Qualifications

• A relevant NVQ2 or equivalent qualification
  
• In the absence of such a qualification the post holder should be able to demonstrate competence derived from substantial practical experience
  

Work based knowledge

• Issues affecting children and young people in a diverse community
• Effective methods of working with children and young people

Skills

• Effective teamwork skills
• The ability to problem-solve and plan in a creative way
• IT skills in word processing, and e-mail (The Society uses Microsoft Office applications

Core Competencies:

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

Managing People

• Leading Others
  • Participates fully as a member of a team
• Innovation
  • Improve work methods to achieve higher levels of efficiency
  • Learns from experience

Leading Change

• Communicating with Others
  • Communicate effectively with others in own area on day-to-day matters
    
• Building and Maintaining Partnerships
  • Influence effectively on day-to-day matters with colleagues
  • Build effective networks with colleagues and stakeholders
  • Lead and initiate purposeful relationships across team/functions to encourage partnership working

Managing Continuity

• Managing Resources
  • Supports the efficient use and takes responsibility for sustaining of resources
  • Shares relevant information with others
• Providing Service to Others
  • Provide services to others, internal and external
    
  • Treats others with respect and dignity
  • Complies with safeguarding requirements
  • Works in partnership with children and young people
  • Works in partnership with children and young people so their views and ideas are listened to and taken seriously

Producing Results

• Managing Yourself
  • Take steps to improve performance
  • Takes initiative and is aware of own learning needs
• Agreeing and Meeting Targets
  • Focus on what needs to be done
  • Meet service and quality standards
  • Act in line with specific directions

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Occasional weekend and evening work
• Some residential time away from home for team development and/or training
• Occasional requirement to promote and develop work in the wider Southern region

(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.

Please click on the link below for further information on the Student Transition Support Service:

Files/Descripton of Student Transition Support Service(1).doc