Support Worker Role: Works to: Senior Support Worker Reports to: Safer London Salary: 27,000 Duration: Fixed term until 30th September 2017 Location: Safer London office in Southwark (with frequent travel across London) About the Service Safer London, Only Connect and Redthread are embarking on an exciting new partnership to deliver an innovative pan-london service. This service will provide intensive support to young people aged 16-25 who are involved, affected or exploited by gangs in London. This unique service is an exciting opportunity to deliver innovative interventions, facilitate lasting changes and promote best practice in addressing gang and youth violence. Job Summary The support workers role is to provide transformational and trauma based support to young women aged 16-25 involved, affected or exploited by gangs across London. The role will be expected to work well with others and demonstrate clear and effective communication with stakeholders, partners and service users. Experience of working in multi-agency settling and experienced at delivering person centered and trauma based support is a core component to the skills required for this role. The majority of the role will require you to work directly with referred clients on a 1:1 basis. You will develop and support relationships with partner agencies and third sector organisations across a number of key London Boroughs ensuring effective case communication and management. This post is required ensure that effective outcome data is collated, monitored, is SMART and inputted in line with organisational processes and procedures. The role is also required to demonstrate a clear understanding of safeguarding. Due to the nature of the role, applications are only open to Female candidates. (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1). Main duties 1
1. In conjunction with other professionals and the service user, you will deliver effective transformational and trauma based support. This will be achieved through: a. Undertaking appropriate needs and risks assessments b. Undertaking effective support/actions plans in liaison with the service user and other professionals c. Reviewing strategies regularly with service user and professionals d. Monitoring outcomes and contributing to alternative plans as appropriate. e. Providing on going person centered support 2. Maintain accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date information/case records, and share information as appropriate and ensure all monitoring, evaluation and case recording requirements are delivered in an accurate and timely way. 3. Adopt a range of approaches when working with individuals in order to improve wellbeing and where relevant any offending and gang related issues through: a. Solution focused approaches and evidence based practice b. 1:1 outreach work c. Strength based approaches to improve coping capacity and resilience 4. Play a key role in ongoing risk assessment and risk management and to effectively communicate concerns/issues to the Metropolitan Police, CRC or local authority and attend any risk management meetings 5. Support the service user to explore issues on their rights, risks, safety, relationships, values, attitudes, conflict negotiation, positive choices, self-esteem and aspirations. 6. Effectively support young women inclusive of those with multiple and complex needs and ensure they are accessing services. 7. Maintain partnership working with the referring partners and key stakeholders and pro-actively implement effective and timely communication, internally and with partners. 8. Advocate on behalf of the young person, ensuring the safety and well-being of the young person remains central at all times. 9. Make appropriate onward referrals, signposting young people to support services with partner agencies and positive activities where appropriate, and identifying creative solutions to any barriers that may arise. 10. Develop and maintain effective relationships with partners, funders, and other agencies to support the delivery of the service. 11. Support the delivery (where applicable) of training, events, workshops and seminars to professionals to raise awareness and develop the capacity of partners to identify gang involved/affected young people. 12. Work creatively with colleagues to generate project resources and materials as required, supporting both the development of the service and wider Safer London programmes. 13. Positively contribute to the wider work of the Safer London team and actively support good communication between all members of staff and volunteers 14. Keep abreast of current developments in policies and legislations relevant to working with gang affected children/young people and families. 15. Contribute as required to the wider work of the team. 16. Undertake any other duties as required and commensurate with the level of this post. 17. Act in a manner that is in keeping with Safer London s values. Confidentiality 2
The postholder will have access to confidential information and is expected to ensure that the highest level of confidentiality is maintained at all times. Safeguarding The postholder will be required to consent to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check. This role will involve working some unsocial hours, including evenings. 3
Person Specification Essential Method of assessment 1 Relevant professional qualification or demonstrable professional development relevant to role. 2 Significant experience of working with and supporting young women with complex needs involved in or at risk from gang related offending or harm. 3 Experienced at delivering person centered or trauma based support in a 1.1 setting. 4 Significant experience of meeting complex outcome targets and ability to input key data in a timely manner. 5 Track record of developing partnerships and relationships with a wide variety of organisations to support the needs of vulnerable young men. 6 Ability to engage with hard to reach young people who may be resistant to support. 7 Ability to be creative and find positive solutions to problems. 8 In-depth knowledge and understanding of issues facing young men affected or exploited by gangs or already gang involved. 9 Practical understanding of equalities and diversity and experience of applying its principles in the workplace. 10 Experience of working with a range of statutory, voluntary and community sector agencies to support vulnerable individuals and the relevant referral processes for accessing support. 11 Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills. and Test 12 Good IT skills (Excel, Word etc.) and experience of using databases. 4
13 An understanding and experience of implementing of all health, safety and safeguarding legislation and best practice procedures as they relate to working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. 14 An understanding of current policy relating to serious youth violence and gangs. Desirable 16 Knowledge of services for gang affected individuals and patterns of offending/gang activity in London 5