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.

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

Post based in our office in Peckham and currently funded to March 2011.

Project Worker - Participation

 Location:

Greenwich Children and Young People’s Participation Service Office (Peckham)

Reward Band:

Project Staff II

Reporting to:

Senior Project Worker, GCYPPS

Job purpose:

• To develop and deliver activities for Greenwich Children and Young People’s Participation Service (GCYPPS) enabling children and young people to actively participate in decision-making;

Key activities:

• To develop and promote models of consultation and participation enabling children and young people to influence decision-making processes that effect their lives
• To support children and young people to develop skills, knowledge and self-confidence to participate in decision-making.
• To support professionals to build their capacity to deliver consultation and participation work with children and young people.
• To work in partnership with relevant voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure the project’s development locally and beyond.
• To share information obtained through the consultation and participation activities with relevant professionals and agencies and thereby promote effective service provision.
• To contribute to the administration and planning of the project by designing, delivering, monitoring and evaluating all work delivered.
• To keep carers and relevant agencies informed of the project activities where appropriate and necessary.
• To provide an inclusive service that recognises the importance of young people and adults respecting each other and getting on well together.
• To adhere to TCS quality standards and policies, including equal opportunities, anti-discriminatory, diversity and practice guidance.
• To contribute to the work of Greenwich Participation Project as required.
  

Attainments:

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

Experience

• Relevant experience in working with children and young people from diverse backgrounds, including disabled children and/or young people at risk of offending
• Relevant experience of delivering capacity-building/training activities for other professionals
• Experience of leading effective participation group work
• Experience of partnership and multi-agency working
• Experience of working on one’s own and within a team

Qualifications

• Social Work degree or equivalent OR relevant professional qualification e.g. Youth & Community, Education or Health & Social Care

Work based knowledge

• Experience of participatory methods in working with children and young people
• Working knowledge of relevant policy and legislation as it relates to young people, especially young offenders or young people at risk of offending
• Working knowledge of relevant policy and practice relating to child protection and safeguarding of young people

Skills

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with children and young people written and verbally
• IT Skills (Microsoft Word, Outlook Express)
• Ability to plan and manage own workload
• Ability to deliver training sessions
• 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:

Innovation:

• Identify areas for improvement and take action to achieve desired and agreed outcomes

Communicating with Others:

• Communicate effectively with others in other parts of the organisation or externally on day-to-day matters

Building and Maintaining Partnerships:

• Relate well to others, internal and external
• Take an active part in team meetings

Managing Resources:

• Use resources efficiently
• Shares timely and accurate information with others

Providing Service to 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

Managing Yourself:

• Make decisions confidently
• Manage own learning
• Take pride in achieving results

Agreeing and Meeting Targets:

• Propose targets and standards for role
• Plan day-to-day activities
• Work under fairly close supervision

Other Competencies:

Leading Others:

• Take a leadership role within team when appropriate

Managing Resources:

• Use resources efficiently
• Shares timely and accurate information with others
  

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
• An enhanced clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau is required.

(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 taking action to advance Society values in day-to-day work
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the Society’s commitment to keeping children safe
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practices
• Emotional resilience and the ability to work under pressure.
• Flexible, adaptable and able to cope with changing priorities and ambiguitye
• Effective team worker