The Children’s Society wants to create a society where children are valued, respected and happy. We are committed to helping disadvantaged and vulnerable young people, including children in care, or those who have run away. We give a voice to disabled children so their needs are met in ways suited to them. Through our work, young carers find time away from their responsibilities, and young refugees have a chance to rebuild their lives in new communities. Children are at the heart of all we do, and we want to build a better childhood for every child.

The OASIS Project has been working with young refugees in Oxford since 2004. The project aims to support young people mostly of secondary age at school in Oxford to overcome barriers to learning and make the most of their educational opportunities

We’re looking to recruit a Project Worker to work in a secondary school in Oxford alongside teachers in order to provide extra support for young refugees. The role will involve some classroom support, running a homework club and liaising with a wide range of school, social services and partner agency staff. You’ll also be expected to help run holiday activities for young refugees.

You’ll be educated to degree level or have a relevant professional qualification e.g. Diploma in Social Work, Certificate in Youth & Community Work, PGCE, and you’ll be a committed team player.

This post is based in Oxford and is 29.6 hours per week.

This post is currently funded until 31st March 2011 but may be extended subject to further funding

Interview date: 5th October 2010.

Project Worker (29.6 hours per week)

Location:

OASIS Project, Oxford

Reward Band:

PROJECT STAFF II: SCN

£21,909 - £24,958 pro rata

Reporting to:

Senior Project Worker

Job purpose:

• To work directly with refugee children and young people in order to promote access to and participation in education and to liaise with schools, Social Services and other agencies in order to provide this service.

Key activities:

• To work directly with refugee/asylum seeker children and young people by providing curriculum support which will enable them to enhance their educational opportunities.
• To devise and develop initiatives to improve attendance at and engagement with school, which can be carried out in co-operation with schools.
• To provide basic practical and emotional support to young refugees and refer them to more specialist services where necessary.
• To support refugee children and young people to develop the skills, knowledge and self-confidence to respond to issues affecting them.
• To keep accurate and detailed records of all work undertaken according to project protocols.
• To liaise with parents, carers, social workers, teachers and other relevant professionals to ensure a co-ordinated approach to a young person’s support.
• To disseminate the learning from this work as widely as possible by writing reports and attending meetings.
• To work towards implementing equal opportunities and diversity policies in all aspects of the project’s work.
• To challenge systems which discriminate against refugee children and young people and to contribute to the campaigning work of The Children’s Society.

Attainments:

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

Experience:

• Relevant experience of working with young people aged 11 – 19 in an educational or social care setting
• Experience of multi-agency working

Qualifications:

• Degree or equivalent level qualification

Work based knowledge:

• An understanding of the issues affecting young asylum seekers and refugees in the UK
• An understanding of Child Protection issues and safe practice
• A sound understanding of the UK education system

Skills:

• IT skills in word processing, email and internet research. The Children’s Society uses Microsoft Office applications
• Good facilitation and communication skills

Core competencies:

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

Provide a service to others

• Understand the needs of refugee children and young people and respond effectively to them by planning high quality services

Build and maintain relationships

• Build good relationships with refugee children and young people, with other professionals and team members, by showing tact and sensitivity

Manage yourself

• Work on your own initiative in school by adopting a practical, problem solving approach and learning from your experience.
• Maintain professional boundaries

Leading Others

• Work professionally with colleagues from partner organisations and represent the values of The Children’s Society in your everyday approach to your work

Agree and meet targets

• Use your time efficiently ensuring that you meet deadlines and see work through to achieve high quality results

Continuous Improvement

• Take steps to improve quality standards whilst working in a creative and flexible manner.
• Use supervision sessions constructively in order to inform your planning

Communicate with others

• Convey clearly, both orally and in writing, ideas and information, to a variety of audiences including those whose first language is not English

Manage Resources

• Use the Project’s resources in an appropriate manner

Safeguarding

• Identify any safeguarding concerns.
• Take appropriate action to ensure the child / young person and/or vulnerable adult is protected.
• Complete detailed safeguarding referral
• Contribute to a safe practice environment, including the supervision of others.

Other Competencies

You will also have the ability to:

• Co-operate well with the team leader and colleagues both in the project and schools and respond positively to suggestions and feedback.

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• There will be the need to attend occasional training courses and meetings outside Oxford and very occasional overnight stays may be required
• It is expected that the post holder will take their annual leave entitlement during school holidays
• There is some flexibility over the days worked but they must include a Thursday.

(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 keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice
• The ability to be flexible, adaptable and to cope with changing priorities and ambiguity
• The ability to be an effective team worker