PURPOSE OF THE JOB:
To work towards the achievement of better outcomes for children, young people and families in Hackney by:
* providing a high quality, effective programmes of youth work for children and young people in Hackney
* giving children and young people opportunities and encouragement to get involved in activities that complement and enhance their physical and emotional well being, and which support their educational attainment and transition to employment
* supporting young people to do things for themselves individually and collectively and to be active participants in their community
The Assistant Youth Worker is responsible and accountable for the delivery and evaluation of high quality open access and targeted programmes of youth work, primarily delivered through Young Hackney Youth Hubs, and via outreach in schools and community settings.
RESPONSIBLE FOR:
PLANNING
* Contribute to the development of a varied 7 day programme of term-time, holiday and residential youth activities (open access and targeted) within the youth hub and community settings.
* Contribute to the development of participative youth programmes that enable children and young people to progress, manage transitions and improve their outcomes.
* Contribute to the development of opportunities which support community cohesion; promoting young people's active participation within their community.
* Contribute to the development of programmes which support the ambition for a robust local offer for disabled young people.
SERVICE DELIVERY
Direct work with young people and their families
* Contribute to the planning and delivery of innovative programmes of open access and targeted youth work, which meets the needs of children, young people and families; facilitating the development of physical health, emotional well-being, supporting educational attainment, and preventing / reducing youth crime.
* Promote and safeguard the welfare of young people in all contexts, with awareness of the risks that may be faced in respect of physical health and emotional well-being, educational attainment, sexual development, CSE, crime and gang activity, and personal finance.
* Engage and build respectful, honest, challenging and supportive relationships with young people including those who may previously have had little contact with services and may be hard to reach.
* Acquire local knowledge and develop a meaningful dialogue with children, young people and families; with the purpose of assessing their individual or collective developmental needs in order to provide early help interventions to meet them.
* Safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and contribute to the assessment of the vulnerability of individual young people.
* Participate in assertive outreach to facilitate the involvement of young people from across the Network; targeting those who have had little contact with services and may be hard to reach.
* Provide effective pathways and access to appropriate services and provision so that children, young people and families receive the help they need at the earliest opportunity.
* Tie all work to observable or measurable indicators of success; where possible monitoring and evidencing progress through recognised accreditation and awards.
* Contribute to the development of initiatives and partnerships that encourage young people to build strong links with their local community and support the growth of positive perceptions of young people.
* Understand and respect the rights of young people and ensure their meaningful participation in their own plans and within the wider community; including the design delivery and evaluation of youth work programmes and services.
Partnerships
* Work with staff from across the wider children and young people's workforce to ensure that children and young people's needs are met; including the Police, Children's Services, schools, voluntary sector and faith organisations, etc.
* Follow statutory guidelines and local procedures for joint working including the London Child Protection Procedures.
* Share information about young people with other agencies in order to manage the risks to themselves and others, and promote their welfare in line with the requirements of all relevant legislation.
Equalities
* Model a young person-centred and outcome focused approach; upholding an inclusive culture where respect, honesty, and trust enable children and young people to thrive.
* Work within expected practice standards, expectations and timescales, and culture of personal and collective responsibility and accountability for the quality and inclusivity of all delivery.
* Demonstrate a commitment to equality of opportunity for all groups of staff and service users and challenge discrimination including racism, sexism and all other forms of oppression and unjust attitudes, behaviour and practice.
* Promote equality of opportunity and collaborative working, delivering non-discriminatory services and promoting greater equity for disadvantaged groups.
* Be vigilant to the diversity of the youth programmes and opportunities provided; ensuring they are reflective of the needs of different age groups, abilities, and cultural identities, and inclusive of their interests.
Health and Safety
* Ensure that Council policy and procedures for health and safety are adhered to.
* Conduct risk assessments for the premises, and on and off site activities/ services as directed.
* Undertake first aid training and provide first aid cover for delivery sessions.
Administration
* Keep accurate and up to date records of attendance data and other management information as required.
POLITICAL SENSITIVITY
* Demonstrate commitment to the Council's organisational values and beliefs.
* Be politically sensitive and able to recognise and deal with a range of sensitive issues that impact on the Children & Young People's Service in terms of reputation, integrity and credibility.
COMMUNICATION
* Communicate in a way which meets the needs of a diverse audience and in a way that influences recipients effectively.
* Promote the youth programmes and services delivered through the youth hub and community provision.
GENERAL
* Work regular evening and weekends to meet the needs of children, young people and family's.
* Undertake other temporary duties consistent with the basic objectives of the post.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Hours of work: Sessional and holiday hours as required (NB most term-time sessions equate to 3 hours)
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential
* Experience of delivering open access and targeted youth work/ youth participation programmes
* A satisfactory DBS check at enhanced level is required.
Desirable
Relevant professional qualification in Youth Work or Play Work First Aid qualification Arts, sporting or outdoor education qualifications, e.g. Music, drama, MLA, FA level 1 Knowledge of accreditation programmes that validate young people's achievements
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
* Understanding of the roles and responsibilities of key agencies working with young people, including their statutory responsibilities.
* Understanding of child and adolescent development, and the importance of peer influence, family and environmental factors upon their personal growth and transition to adulthood.
* Ability to engage with and create a rapport and build relationships with young people and parents / carers and families and to deal with complex issues in a sensitive and appropriate manner.
* Ability to assess risks posed to, and by, children and young people.
* Experience of delivering inclusive and participative programmes of youth work/ informal education in open access settings that are focussed on improving education, health or youth crime reduction outcomes, including restorative solutions.
* Able to demonstrate reliability and integrity together with an enthusiastic and positive attitude towards children, young people, families, staff, and stakeholders.
* Experience of delivering services within an urban and ethnically diverse context and developing and delivering appropriate services.
* Ability to initiate and maintain effective communication and working relationships with a relevant range of people and organisations.
* Ability to work with children and young people who present challenging behaviour.
* Ability to plan and implement programmes which respond to the diversity of young people's needs and are inclusive of disabled young people/ those with SEN. Personal style and behaviours
* Personal and professional demeanour which generates credibility and confidence amongst young people and families, elected members, chief officers, managers, staff, external partners and all other stakeholders.
* Ability to demonstrate an approach to working with children and young people which is inclusive and non-judgemental.
* An interest in young people's personal development and participation.
* Resourceful, creative and adaptable.
* Ability to acquire new skills and demonstrate a desire to contribute to the development of best practice with children, young people and families
Resilience
* Ability to thrive in a complex environment and demonstrate resilience
NB: All employees are expected to adhere to the Council's Diversity & Equality and Health and Safety Policies.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £24,420.00-£41,384.36 per year
Work Location: In person