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.

We provide strategic and ‘hands on’ participation services for children, young people and agencies across the borough of Greenwich. We work with children and young people aged 5 – 21 from diverse backgrounds and with diverse needs including looked after children, disabled children and young offenders. We also work in diverse settings such as primary schools, Youth Offending teams, Looked after Children services, and with youth participation groups to further develop their participation practice through mentoring and training.

To help us successfully deliver these services we’re looking for individuals with knowledge, experience and skills to support a diverse range of children and young people as well as the professionals who work with them. To be considered for this post you’ll need to hold a relevant professional qualification within the field of education, social work or youth work. In addition, you’ll need experience of supervising staff/volunteers and of developing and delivering training.

We encourage applicants to contact Veronika Neyer on 0207 358 2004 for an informal discussion about the role before applying.

Senior Project Worker

Location:

Greenwich Children’s Fund (GCF) Participation Project, 91 – 93 Queen’s Road, Peckham, LONDON, SE15 2EZ

Reward Band:

Reporting to:

Programme Manager

Job purpose:

• To ensure the provision and delivery of Greenwich Children and Young People’s Participation Service (GCYPPS) enabling children and young people to actively participate in decision-making.

Key activities:

• To deliver and develop the Greenwich Children and Young People’s Participation Service (GCYPPS) for children and young people in accordance with current legislation and safe practice.
• To be involved in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers and staff according to the Society’s policies and procedures.
• To manage and support designated project staff and volunteers within the Society’s performance management procedures.
• To contribute to and develop, models of participation that enable children and young people to be involved in the work of the project and The Children’s Society.
• To support the development of the project by contributing to the annual and on-going planning process of the project.
• To build and maintain effective working relationships both internally and with externally while promoting the work of the project and The Children’s Society.
• To maintain effective systems for monitoring, evaluating and reporting purposes.
• To deputise for the Programme Manager, as required.
• To support the Programme Manager in identifying potential funding sources and assist in writing funding applications.
•  To support the Programme Manager in monitoring project expenditure in line with approved guidelines.
• To contribute to any aspect of the work of the project including training and the dissemination of good practice.
  

Attainments:

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

Experience

• Substantial experience of working with children and young people from a range of diverse backgrounds
• Experience of multi-agency working/partnership working
• Experience of supervising staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience of developing and delivering training.
• Experience of working in a team.

Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification such as Youth & Community, Social Work Diploma or another qualification associated with the area of work

Work based knowledge

• Understanding of issues that affect children and young people
• A working knowledge of relevant policy and legislation as it relates to children and young people, particularly related to Participation
• A working knowledge of effective participatory methods in working with children and young people
• Knowledge of Child Protection, Safeguarding and Health and Safety issues and processes

Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both written and verbally for a range of audiences
• Ability to network internally and externally
• Ability to problem-solve and plan in a creative way
• Ability to facilitate groups
• IT skills in word processing, and e-mail. (The Society uses Microsoft Office applications).
• Ability to instruct other team members

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:

• Recognises and develops the potential of individual team members ensuring a range of leadership styles are used effectively

Innovation:

• Contribute ideas and suggestions to the development of quality assurance processes, encouraging the contribution of others

Leading Change

Communicating with Others:

• Communicate with others, internally and externally, on matter of longer-term significance

Building and Maintaining Partnerships:

• Lead and initiate purposeful relationships across team/functions to encourage partnership working
• Influence effectively on day-to-day matters with colleagues

Managing Continuity

Managing Resources:

• Manage budgets and allocate resources within them
• Aware of legal and safeguarding frameworks/standards

Providing Service to Others:

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of high standards of service to others
• Ensures that others are aware and understand safeguarding requirements
• Identifies opportunities for children and young people to be involved in the work we do and ensure that others are aware and understand this approach

Producing Results

Managing Yourself:

• Confidently apply knowledge and skills to generate practical solutions
• Promote Society’s image and values

Agreeing and Meeting Targets:

• Determine and work to demanding goals
• Takes initiative to solve problems
  

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• The post necessitates working some unsocial hours, with regular evening and weekend meetings for which time off in lieu is granted.
• The post may also necessitate some occasional residential trips or time away from home
• An enhanced clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau is required.
• 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:

• To actively promote the values of The Children’s Society in your day-to-day work
• 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.
• A commitment to ensuring the needs and rights of children and young people are upheld through their active participation in the work of the project and the Society.
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the work of the project and of the Society
• To be flexible and adaptable and be able to cope with changing priorities and demands