This role is a fixed term contact until 31st March 2013.  It may be extended subject to further funding.

Work with London’s churches to help young people at greatest risk

This Project is an established and successful partnership between The Children’s Society and the Diocese of London.

We need an experienced and dynamic practitioner who will continue to lead and deliver the work as well as contribute to the development of the partnership for the future.

A vital part of the role is to provide support and guidance to parishes so they can offer innovative and participatory activities for children young people in their area. This includes advice and guidance, creation of resources and delivery of training. Much of the work will focus on supporting work in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

An approachable and motivated team player you will have proven experience in working directly with children and young people to deliver high quality provision as well as managing and leading staff to success. It is important that you understand the structure and belief of The Church of England and can accept and promote the principles and values of The Children’s Society.

To find out more and apply, please visit www.playyourpart.co.uk in the first instance, or call us on 0207 841 4559, quoting the reference number .

Application pack is available on alternative format on request

Location:
Youth Development Project of the Diocese of London
Reward Band:
Band 3 SFN £26,572 – £30,269 (+ inner London weighting £3,277)
CRB Level Required:
Enhanced
Reporting to:
Programme Manager

Job Purpose:

To provide quality advice, support and resources for Diocese of London to ensure effective engagement with children and young people thereby enabling them to have an active voice in the church and/or community

Key Activities:
1. To work in partnership with the Diocese of London and empower parish churches to deliver and develop appropriate provision for children and young people in accordance with current legislation and safe practice, with particular emphasis on the most deprived neighbourhoods

2. To recruit, manage and support staff and volunteers within the Society’s performance management procedures

3. To ensure training, support and dissemination of good practice for the Diocese

4. To develop models of participation that enable young people to be involved in the work of the project

5. To support the Programme Manager in identifying potential funding sources and assist in writing funding applications in relation to the work

6. To support the Programme Manager in monitoring project expenditure in line with approved guidelines

7. To build and maintain effective working relationships both internally and externally while promoting the work of the project and the Children’s Society

8. To develop and maintain effective communication and marketing for the project

9. To maintain effective systems for monitoring, evaluating and reporting purposes

10. To deputise for the Project Manager as required

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

Experience

• 2 years experience of working with children and young people from diverse backgrounds
• Experience of supervising staff and/or volunteers
• Experience of working both in a team and independently
• Experience of running groups and group work
• Experience of working in partnership with voluntary and statutory agencies including the church
• Setting up and delivering training/development programmes

Qualifications

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

Work based knowledge

• A thorough knowledge of issues affecting young people in a diverse community such as exclusion, disability, children at risk on the streets or in trouble with the law
• An understanding and knowledge of institutional racism, and the particular issues affecting Black and Minority Ethnic young people
• A good understanding of contemporary youth culture
• Effective methods of working with young people
• A working knowledge and understanding of legislation and other relevant regulations in youth work provision and child protection
• An understanding Health and Safety in the workplace and how to implement it in this area of work
• An understanding of the faith and administrative structure of the Church of England including its relevant policies and strategies relating to the community and young people

Skills

• The ability to communicate clearly and with enthusiasm both verbally and in writing to both children & young people and adults
• The ability to lead, motivate and support those engaged in work with children and young people
• Networking internally and externally
• The ability to problem-solve and plan in a creative way
• One-to-one working and group working
• Good administrative abilities
• IT skills in word processing, and e-mail. (The Society uses Microsoft Office applications)
• Facilitation and presentations skills including the ability to produce publicity materials


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

Leading others

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

Innovation

• Agree and set targets for improvement with others

Communicating with others

• Communicate with others internally and externally on matters of longer-term significance (such as funding, development opportunities, partnerships)

Building and Maintaining Partnerships

• Build and maintain effective networks with partners, colleagues and stakeholders
• Influence effectively on day to day matters with colleagues

Managing Yourself

• Confidently apply knowledge and skills
• Promote Society’s image and values


Agreeing and Meeting Targets

• Determine and work to demanding goals
• Take initiative to solve problems
• Requires only general supervision

Providing Service to others

• Identifies opportunities for children and young people to be involved in the work and ensures others are aware and understand this approach

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of high standards of service

• Values difference in others and respects their contribution/expertise

Managing Resources

• Contribute to setting budgets and manage resources within them

Safeguarding Children and Young People

• Ensure the promotion and development of a safe practice environment
• Supervise others to achieve high safeguarding standards
• The ability to make a coherent decision in regards to safeguarding when appropriate


Special Job Circumstances: This post has the following special circumstances:

• Regular 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 South/West region
• An enhanced Criminal Records disclosure

(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:

a) An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
b) An understanding of Church of England, it’s mission and structure
c) 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.
c) A commitment and enthusiasm for working with children & young people, ensuring their needs and are upheld through their active participation in the work of the project and the Society.
d) a commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice, and a particular focus on the issues affecting Black and Minority Ethnic children & young people
e) the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
f) to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the work of the project and of the Society
g) to be flexible , adaptable and emotionally resilient in order to be able to cope with changing priorities and demands