Job title: Safe Project Youth Worker
Salary: JNC points 12-15 £28,501- £31,528
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Youth Justice Centre, LS102AY
As a Youth Worker within the Safe Project, you’ll thrive on building relationships with children and young people where there are risks of child sexual and/or criminal exploitation. This includes both one to one work and group work.
Within the Safe Project you will work alongside Social Workers, Family Practitioners and another Youth Worker. You will be skilled at multi-agency working, communicating with families and professionals, and recording your work on a child’s record.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our and ambitions.
About you
As a Youth Worker, you will bring to the role:
1. Experience of working with young people in a youth work environment.
2. Experience of workingas an effective and reflective practitioner
3. Knowledge of issues affecting young people and respond appropriately to these issues
4. Ability to establish, maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people to support the youth work process.
5. Experience of enablingyoung people to work effectively in groups
6. Knowledge of child protection and welfare issues
7. Experience of working with young people to safeguard welfare and develop awareness for their self-identity.
About the role
As a Youth Worker in the Safe Project you will work creatively and flexibly around the needs of the service. This means responding to new and emerging risks related to child exploitation across Leeds. You will be committed to developing your skills and knowledge around contextual safeguarding and risks outside of the home. You will also be professionally curious and reflective, modelling the values of Leeds.
Within the team you will have regular opportunities to develop your learning and to reflect on cases within group supervision and practice development. You will also be involved in the MACE meetings and will support the work of Project Shield to reduce Serious Youth Violence.
The role is integral to our team as we thrive on being a multi-disciplinary service that puts the child first and behaviour second. The team is part of Children’s Social Work Services and is a city wide service.
What we offer you
We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:
8. a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
9. membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
10. flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
11. a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
12. a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further
How to apply
Please complete the online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy .
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.
We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.
All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.
Job Description
Job Purpose: Deliver youth work and assist in the planning, delivery, evaluation, and review of youth work programmes that are responsive to the needs of young people and in line with the Children’s Service and strategic objectives. The role requires flexible working arrangements involving weekly activity rotas, evening activity sessions and weekend working.
Responsibilities:
13. Work directly with young people at risk of exploitation to develop and maintain relationships to help identify their starting points, needs and aspirations.
14. Facilitate the social education of young people through the design and delivery of programmes that are responsive to their needs and aspirations and reflect the Safe Project.
15. Attend multi-agency meetings with young people and where appropriate, advocate on their behalf.
16. Record all work in an accurate and timely way on mosaic.
17. Assist in development of Service, by planning, delivery, monitoring and reviewing of youth work provision.
18. Encourage young people to participate in designing, delivery and reviewing their programmes.
19. Encourage young people to take responsibility for their learning and actions.
20. Create an environment in which it is safe and appropriate to challenge young people’s thinking, attitudes, and behaviour.
21. Contribute to The Safe Project performance targets.
22. Undertake relevant training according to the needs of the service, personal and professional development.
23. Ensure that all aspects of the work are underpinned by the principles of equality and diversity.
24. Create and maintain a safe youth work environment in accordance with Health and Safety policy and legislation.
25. Maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within the Directorate, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies, and the general public.
26. Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post.
Qualifications
27. Minimum JNC endorsed Level 3 NVQ / VRQ Initial qualification in Youth Work is essential.
Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
28. Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
29. Able to establish, maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people to support the youth work process.
30. Able to support young people in tackling problems, taking actions.
31. Able to work effectively with young people in groups.
32. Able to work with young people to design and develop sessions and safeguard their welfare .
33. Able to support young people to use their learning to enhance their future development.
34. Able to record and evaluate youth work sessions.
35. Able to develop programmes that recognise and challenge prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination.
36. Able to develop a range of activities and resources which promotes confidence and ensures all can participate.
37. Able to have a flexible approach within a planned programme and meet changing demands of the service.
38. Knowledge of issues affecting young people and respond appropriately to these issues.
39. Knowledge of child protection and welfare issues.
40. Knowledge of local and national policies and their relationship to the youth work curriculum.
41. Knowledge of Health and Safety issues affecting all activities within your remit.
42. Experience of working with young people in a youth work environment.
43. Experience of enablingyoung people to work effectively in groups.
44. Experience of enablingyoung people to explore their values and self-respect.
45. Experience of enabling young people to use their learning to enhance their future development.
46. Experience of workingwith young people to safeguard welfare and develop awareness for their self-identity.
47. Experience of planning youth work sessions with young people linked to the curriculum and youth service targets.
48. Experience of effectivelyrecording and evaluating youth work sessions.
49. Experience of workingas an effective and reflective practitioner.
Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics
50. Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
51. Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering theBest City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
52. Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
53. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
54. Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
55. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
56. Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
57. Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
58. Be aware of and support difference ensuring equality for all, working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity.
59. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
60. The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
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