Youth Development Worker

Working under the direction of the Lead Project Worker the successful candidate will be required to operate as part-time Youth Development worker for children and young people who have witnessed and/or experienced domestic abuse in their homes. You must be personable, enthusiastic, and able to engage with a range of people from different backgrounds.

You will have a case load of young people, providing direct domestic abuse trauma informed therapeutic support in schools and at after-school sessions. You will be required to conduct initial assessments with beneficiaries, using assessment tools to assess, track and evaluate the support offered to young people. This includes producing reports throughout the project and collating data to show effectiveness. You will be responsible for the completion of relevant paperwork and keeping up to date records using our database. You will also be expected to contribute to developing strong relationships with beneficiaries and their families. The role will require you to provide both emotional and practical support, working on a one-to-one basis and in a positive group setting, promoting self- worth and self-esteem and reducing self-blame. You will be expected to regularly consult with the Lead Project Worker to contribute to the development of progress reports.

The role will also include assisting the Lead Project Worker to increase the number of volunteers who will mentor young people. You will be required to support recruitment and assist with interviewing and induction of new volunteers, providing access to training and development opportunities to help them understand the complexities of working with young people 11-18 years that have experienced or lived in domestic abuse households. You will assist with coordinating and supervising volunteers and managing the pairing process with young people to ensure success. You must be well organised and possess the skills and abilities to identify suitable volunteers with the necessary skills and attributes to work with young people.

The Youth Development Programme worker will also be expected to work alongside key professionals, including domestic abuse workers, counsellors and play therapist as required and contribute to developing relationships with other organisations and local support networks.

Part of the role will include building on our pre-existing online offer so you must be familiar with social media platforms and the use of Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype.

CONTROL OF RESOURCES:

Financial: None

Equipment/Materials: Responsibility for materials and equipment necessary to meet the designated tasks

Health/Safety/Welfare: To be responsible for health/safety and welfare of self and others whilst at work

Relationships: All RCT staff, volunteer mentors and people who use the services

Internal: All RCT staff; most notably the programme colleagues, DA team workers, the In-house Counselling team, volunteer mentors and people who use the services of RCT.

External: Agencies, Local Authority staff, Beneficiaries families and visitors to RCT building.

Principle Duties

• Delivering one to one and group sessions.


• To lead after-school activities (youth groups and online activities)


• To provide direct domestic abuse trauma informed support work with up to 10 young people at a time.


• Will support the Project Lead to match mentors and mentees


• Ensuring appropriate and effective session planning is in place.


• Effectively managing own allocated beneficiary cohort of CYP.


• To keep clear and concise records of all participants on the programme


• To ensure initial assessments and reviews are undertaken at set times and associated paperwork is completed


• Ensuring ongoing monitoring and evaluation is undertaken appropriately via auditing


• The planning and delivery of holiday activities together with colleagues


• Undertaking necessary Risk Assessments and operating within health and safety guidelines


• Identifying parent/carer/family needs and providing appropriate interventions


• To ensure parents (this will usually be mothers) are involved at key times and supported as necessary


• Production of relevant reports and end of year evaluations


• Liaising effectively with partner agencies and appropriate promotion of the programme


• Appropriate sharing of learning and dissemination of best practice


• To undertake all necessary ongoing training


• To attend regular supervision sessions


• To abide by the RCT Equal Opportunities Policy and all Safeguarding Procedures


• To ensure that appropriate information is shared with relevant agencies and individuals (Schools, Police, Children's Social Care, Parents)


• To consult with beneficiaries to identify areas for development and implement where practical


• To work as directed by the line manager and carry out other duties as assigned
  
  Experience of working within the Domestic Abuse field


Experience of working with people from different BMER groups

Experience of working as part of a co-gendered team

Experience of effectively managing own work load

Desirable:

Experience of working with children and young people or families

Experience of liaising with schools, social workers and other professionals from a range of statutory and independent sector agencies

Experience of working in a social care setting e.g. substance misuse, child protection, family support.

2 - Knowledge

Essential:

An understanding of project work

An understanding of the nature of domestic violence and its effects on those involved

An understanding of the range of the impact witnessing/experiencing domestic abuse has on children and young people

An understanding of and commitment to working in ways which prioritise the safety of those affected by domestic abuse, both children and young people and their mums

Desirable:

An understanding of risk factors in domestic abuse

An understanding of the criminal and/or family court systems in relation to domestic abuse and the legal options available to those experiencing domestic abuse

An understanding of children and young people's safeguarding procedures

3 - Skills

Essential:

The ability to contribute to the development of a service

The ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with a range of people, both over the telephone and a person, sometimes over sensitive and/or complex issues

The ability to operate as part of a team

The ability to manage your own work load and use your own initiative, obtaining clarification/guidance as required

Desirable:

Skills in the effective delivery of group work, or the ability to develop these skills

4 - Attitude

Essential:

Demonstrate an understanding of Anti-Discriminator Practice in employment and service delivery and a commitment to implementing Anti-Discriminatory Practice in relation to job responsibilities

Demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to work in accordance with the Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities Policies of Rochdale Connections Trust

Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to work in accordance with the objectives and principles of Rochdale Connections Trust

Demonstrate a willingness to work within an organisation which works with children and young people, male perpetrators of and women who have experienced domestic violence

Willingness and ability to work flexibly.,
• A-Level or equivalent (preferred), working with young people: 2 years (preferred)
  
  RCT were founded in 1997 by a group of local Youth Magistrates concerned by the number of young people coming before them who were disengaged from education, with little or no family support. They soon realised the offer of support needed to be extended to incorporate a whole family approach if they were to impact effectively.


Over the 20+ years we have been operating our remit has grown and we now work with the most vulnerable, disadvantaged children, young people and adults with a range of complex barriers to engagement living throughout Rochdale. The Charity is deeply embedded in the local communities, particularly those with greatest need. By knowing our community, understanding the complexity of the issues faced and evolving as an organisation to meet changing social, health and wellbeing needs we have become the leading independent provider of domestic abuse programmes, support and interventions for those at risk; female victims; male perpetrators and children and young people who have witnessed/experienced DA in the family home. This is in addition to our extensive menu of ongoing programmes concerned with youth support to prevent disengagement; family focused interventions; provision for highly vulnerable women and an In-house Counselling service available to any service-user with that level of emotional
need.

Hours:1x Part Time (30hrs). We expect flexible working hours to meet the needs of the role and this may include some evening and weekend work

Location: This role is flexible and will include home, community and office-based working

Salary: £25,300 (pro rata)

Pension: All staff are enrolled with Nest and RCT pays a 3% employer contribution

Training and well-being: We believe in the importance of the wellbeing of our team, you will have access to a free employee assistance programme. We also prioritise training and staff are encouraged to develop their skills and engage in a range of internal and externally provided training throughout the year,
• Additional leave


• Casual dress


• Company events


• Company pension


• Free parking


• Health & wellbeing programme


• On-site parking


• Sick pay


Schedule:

• Flexitime


• Monday to Friday


• Weekend availability