Project Worker
£22,128 - £25,207 pa
Based in Newcastle, 15 hours per week

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 Children’s Society’s SMART Project supports refugee, asylum seeking and migrant families, and young people living in Newcastle. Your work will involve providing targeted support to these children and families with challenges they face such as dealing with discrimination, poverty, poor mental health, maintaining self-esteem and the fear of being deported.

Our model of support incorporates the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and work can range from helping service users to read and understand their correspondence, supporting them to access relevant services in the city, structured development of parenting skills, and generally building their trust in our project as a ‘first port of call’ if they need support.

You’ll be able to demonstrate skills and experience in building excellent relationships with people facing hardship, as well as assessing, planning and delivering action plans that address the issues that children, young people and parents have identified.

An understanding of the issues facing people within these communities is important, and you must be a good communicator, equally effective whether relating to young people or their parents/carers.

For an informal discussion please contact the SMART Project on 0191 256 5037.

To apply, please visit www.playyourpart.co.uk or call us on 0121 362 8619 quoting reference N02393

Closing date: 13/02/2012
Interview date: 27/02/2012

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

Charity registration number 221124.
We strive to be an equal opportunities employer.

www.childrenssociety.org.uk

Title: Project Worker
Location: SMART Project Newcastle
Reward Band: Project Worker II SCN: £22,128- £25,207 - Pro rata CRB Level Required: Enhanced

Reporting to: Senior Practitioner / Programme Manager


Job Purpose:

To provide support in Newcastle for refugee, asylum seeking, and migrant young people and families through the provision of individual and group work based services, aimed at promoting the best possible outcomes.
Key Activities:
1. To provide and develop work with refugee and migrant children, young people and their families in accordance with current legislation and good practice guidelines through a variety of methods.

2. To build positive relationships with individual refugee and migrant children to enhance their skills, knowledge and self-confidence

3. To work in partnership with social care, education and other relevant voluntary and statutory agencies to ensure the project’s development both locally and nationally, through regular communication and good working relationships.

4. To develop models of participation enabling the voices of refugee and migrant children and young people to be heard in the decision-making processes that affect them.

5. To raise awareness of the issues raised by refugee and migrant children, and utilise appropriate child safeguarding systems.

6. To contribute to the administration of the project by undertaking tasks that support effective delivery of services, monitoring and evaluation of work and the maintenance of accurate records.

To contribute more generally to the development and implementation of The Children’s Society’s work at regional and national levels.

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

 Experience of supporting children, young people, and parents/ carers who are dealing with complex and sensitive issues.
 Knowledge and understanding of delivery of group work and activity based initiatives with children and young people.
 The proven ability to undertake rights based development work with vulnerable and marginalised children and young people.
Qualifications

• A relevant professional qualification e.g. diploma in social work, certificate in youth and community work, or related NVQ

Work based knowledge

 Knowledge of relevant legislation directly affecting children and young people.
 An understanding of the issues affecting refugee and migrant families in the UK.
 Knowledge and awareness of child safeguarding, legislation and safe practice.
 Working knowledge of information technology.

Skills

 Able to form effective, professional and appropriate relationships with migrant / refugee / asylum seeking children, young people and families incorporating assessment, planning, action, review and evaluation skills

 Able to work with children, young people, families and colleagues in a way that is sensitive and anti discriminatory - showing respect for cultural heritage, backgrounds and points of view.

 Able to plan, deliver and evaluate programmes of group work

 Ability to record interventions delivered in an effective, concise professional manner

 IT skills
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

 Take a leadership role within team when appropriate.
 Lead on specific activities when necessary, contributing to the building of a strong team work ethic.

Innovation

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

Leading Change

Communicating with Others

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

 Convey clearly, both orally and in writing issues relating to the work and role to a range of stakeholders externally and internally, including those whose first language is not English

Building and Maintaining Partnerships

 Relate well to others, internal and external.
 Take an active part in team meetings.
 Be tactful and sensitive showing awareness of the range of issues involved in working with refugees, young people and service providers so as to maintain positive and professional relationships.

Managing Continuity

Managing Resources

 Shares timely and accurate information with others.
 Use resources efficiently and appropriately with an awareness of how it enables or contributes to achieving targets.

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.
 Understand the needs of young refugees and respond effectively to them delivering high quality services.

Producing Results

Managing Yourself

 Make decisions confidently.
 Manage own learning.
 Take pride in achieving results.
 Act on your own initiative, aware of the changes and development in an ever-changing environment in order to enhance the effectiveness of your engagement with young refugees, their families and other partners.

Agreeing and Meeting Targets

 Propose targets and standards for role.
 Plan day-to-day activities.
 Work under fairly close supervision.
 Identify and carry out tasks agreed in project and action plans with a positive outcome for young refugees whilst meeting deadlines.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding children and young people

 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.

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

Working with children, young people and families at risk can be stressful. Regular supervision will occur as a matter of course, a high level of support will be provided, and an emphasis will be placed on health and safety.

This post will involve irregular hours, including late evenings, early mornings, and weekend working.

(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:

1. An understanding and acceptance of the principles of the organisation.

2. An ability to promote anti-discriminatory practice with young people, the project and others that you have contact with.
3. A willingness to adhere to all internal policies that promote safe practice and staff welfare.
4. A commitment to ensuring that the needs and rights of all young people are upheld.

5. A desire to improve your own practice and learn from others.