Please note:
* This role will cover Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin, using a hybrid model of face-to-face and virtual sessions based on the needs of the veteran and their family. The worker will be expected to deliver support both in the community and in prison and develop a family participation group in the community.
* Access to a car or the ability to travel independently across the region is essential. Company Mileage is paid at 0.45p per mile.
* It is expected that weekend and evening work will be a feature of the role from time to time and be a requirement of the post holder.
* You must have the right to live and work in the UK to be considered for this role.
Job Title: Veterans Families First Support Worker
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Salary: £23,405 per annum (pro-rata)
Contract: Fixed term – 18-month contract – extension subject to additional funding
Reporting to: Service Manager
Region: Working across Worcestershire/Herefordshire/Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin
Base: To be agreed
About YSS
We are a charity that helps people to help themselves, and we’ve been doing so for more than thirty years. There are thousands of people in our communities who struggle with life and face what seem to be insurmountable barriers - they are why we exist. We provide a wide variety of community-based support for people and are often described as the ‘glue’ between those at risk of social isolation and the wider mainstream society.
We run a diverse range of services working with 7- to 70-year-olds but our aim is always the same – to help people to break through barriers and to achieve their potential. Our website - www.yss.org.uk - contains further information about YSS and all our projects and services.
Why Work for YSS?
* Professional Development: We offer opportunities for growth and learning to support your career.
* Supportive Work Culture: Join a team that values collaboration, compassion, and individual contributions.
* Impact-Driven Work: Be part of meaningful projects with measurable, transformative and life-changing results.
* Generous Annual Leave: Enjoy an excellent annual leave entitlement of [X] days, rising to [Y] days with length of service.
Background to the role
Since 2016 our Remember Veterans service has provided direct support to veterans in, or at risk of entering the criminal justice system. This support enables the veteran to access sustainable, independent living, whilst reducing the likelihood of reoffending.
YSS have now been provided with 18 months’ worth of funding for a pilot which will enable us to expand our Veterans service delivery to incorporate veterans in prison and their families in the community. Our project will provide emotional and practical support to veterans in the criminal justice system and their families. Whole family support will focus on building resilience, enhancing emotional wellbeing and fostering peer support networks. Veterans will be supported to successfully reintegrate into their family units and communities following release from prison.
The successful candidate for this role will provide comprehensive support to veterans and their families during key criminal justice system (CJS) transitions, from arrest to post-prison release.
This service will be available across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin, using a hybrid model of face-to-face and virtual sessions based on the needs of the veteran and their family. The worker will be expected to deliver support both in the community and in prison and develop a family participation group in the community.
Summary of key responsibilities of the role
* Manage a caseload of veterans both in the community and in prison (who are imminently due for release) and families delivering direct planned work on a one-to one basis, using a variety of interventions to achieve better outcomes.
* Provide supportive, non-judgemental advice to help veterans and families navigate the CJS with reduced stigma, lowering psychological burdens.
* Support families to re-engage with the local community and participate in positive activities.
* Work in a hybrid manner to deliver both face to face and virtual sessions to provide flexible, consistent support, reducing barriers to access and easing psychological pressures.
* Facilitate communication and work to improve relationships between veterans and their families, enabling veterans to feel more supported and less disconnected.
* Signpost veterans and their families to external services as and when required and advocate on their behalf with other professionals.
* Develop a family participation group in the community to foster peer support, mental wellbeing and advocacy.
* Work with other YSS professionals to develop a workbook for veterans in prison, facilitating their transition back into the family home.
* Build relationships and referral pathways with agencies across West Mercia (Worcestershire/Herefordshire/Shropshire/Telford & Wrekin).
* Accept referrals, undertake initial assessments and work with veterans and families to develop tailor-made outcome focused holistic support plans.
* Work in a motivational and inspirational way to engage veterans and their families to develop independence and resilience.
* Commit to working in partnership with multi-agencies and disciplines.
* Support the Service Manager to develop a stakeholder’s group in order to raise awareness of the needs of veterans in the criminal justice system and their families.
* Support professionals across Worcestershire/Herefordshire/Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin by providing advice/signposting and resources around the needs of veterans in the criminal justice system and their families.
* Maintain database records, recording and monitoring data for the purposes of the quarterly reports.
* Participate constructively in team meetings and supervision with line manager as well as undertaking appropriate training as required and appropriate.
* Uphold the vision, values, and profile of YSS both internally and externally.
* Collate data in accordance with GDPR in order to improve systems and services beyond the life of the project.
YSS value people as individuals with diverse opinions, cultures, lifestyles and circumstances. We are committed to building a culturally diverse team and therefore encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates to help us reflect our world and the communities we work alongside.
Our organisation follows Safer Recruitment principles and guidelines for all posts where contact with children and/or adults at risk is possible – this includes a full application process, interviewing candidates, taking up and verifying two satisfactory references, verifying qualifications, identity checks and an enhanced (Disclosure and Barring Service) DBS check.
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