Chance UK has been delivering early-intervention mentoring programmes across London since 1995. We are looking for youth workers across two of our mentoring programmes; Explore & Empower and STEP. We are currently running all of our mentoring services via online platforms and phone to adhere to the current government guidance on the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus. We will resume with face to face sessions as and when the government guidance allows and in discussion with individual families.

Key Information  

Job Title:  Youth Worker

Reporting to: Programme Lead

Salary: £12 per hour 

Hours: Part time (approximately 12-22 hours per week) 

During term-time, these hours will be predominantly at weekends during the daytime and after school during the week, to fit alongside families’ availability. During school holidays these hours could swap to accommodate some weekday daytimes. 

Location: Islington and online

Duration:  June 2020 until April 2021 

Proposed start date: June 2020 

About the role: Mentors pick the child up from home and run a 1:1 session in the community, once a week for 2-4 hours. They use the solution-focused approach to work on building the child’s self-esteem and confidence, set goals and explore new places. We are currently running all of our mentoring services via online platforms and phone to adhere to the current government guidance on the prevention of the spread of Coronavirus. We will resume with face to face sessions as and when the government guidance allows and in discussion with individual families.

Explore & Empower is Chance UK’s flagship early intervention programme that supports 5-12 year old children with behavioural and emotional difficulties and their parents/carers. This nine month-long programme empowers children to develop their skills, confidence and life aspirations through weekly mentoring sessions alongside 1:1 and group support for parents and carers 

STEP transitions mentoring is Chance UK’s newest programme that supports year 6s and year 7s (and their parents/carers) as they make the move to secondary school. In this six month-long programme, each child will receive weekly mentoring sessions and group support, helping them to develop skills confidence and strategies to manage the changes ahead, successfully navigate their first months of secondary school and beyond. 

This programme is designed for children who have current/past involvement from CAMHS. The families we work with have often experienced challenges in life e.g. trauma and we use solution-focused techniques to help strengthen relationships and explore their preferred future. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Attending Chance UK’s mentor training (either two full days or three evenings) and delivering a structured mentoring programme according to the principles and ethos outlined 

• Mentoring a caseload of up to 6 children for a six-nine-month duration. Every effort will be made to allocate Youth Workers to children who live in a close area so that sessions can be completed as efficiently as possible 

• Meeting each child on a weekly basis, online or picking up/dropping off at home, building rapport, and planning appropriate activities according to their individual interests, abilities and goals 

• Taking full responsibility for the child’s safety and welfare when out in the community together 

• Liaising directly with each parent/carer to ensure sessions happen every week

• Completing an online report for each session within 24 hours of it taking place 

• Understanding and abiding by all of Chance UK’s policies and procedures 

• Following Chance UK’s safeguarding procedures and acting on any concerns within an appropriate timeframe 

• Attending a graduation ceremony at the end of the mentoring period, and abiding with Chance UK’s no-contact policy with families after this date 

• Working pro-actively with the Programme Manager to achieve the best outcomes for each child, and flagging up issues that arise 

• Attending a monthly 1:1 supervision with the Programme Manager at Chance UK’s office 

Person specification: 

Essential 

• Significant experience supporting children or young people on a 1:1 basis 

• Strong understanding of the context and challenges facing vulnerable children and families 

• Strong understanding of the impacts of domestic violence and how these might present in children

• Safeguarding training successfully completed to a level 3 standard within the last 18 months. Evidence of this training (dated provider's certificate) should be provided at interview. 

• Ability to work in a child-centred manner; quickly building trust and rapport with a child

• Commitment to seeing each child complete the full six- or nine-month programme once started 

• Ability to have motivational conversations about topics children find challenging in a non-judgemental and child-centred way 

• Willingness to take part in a range of activities depending on the child’s interests 

• Agreement to stick within the monthly budget for activities and to claim expenses promptly at the end of every month 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Excellent time-management and organisational skills

• Own transport or ability to use public transport to travel between family homes 

• Flexibility with scheduling own working hours, whilst bearing in mind that all sessions with a child must take place outside of school time 

Desirable 

• A professional qualification in youth work, social work, child development, education or a related field 

• Experience supporting children in the 5-13 age range on a 1:1 basis 

• Experience working in a trauma-informed way 

Essential competencies: 

• A flexible team player who thrives on a diverse work portfolio. 

• Is solution focused and pre-empts problems by seeking guidance or taking action. 

• Pursues tasks/goals with energy, drive and a need for completion. 

• A self-motivated individual with the ability to work effectively under pressure and with minimal supervision. 

• Committed to diversity and implementing equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. 

• Discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential information.

Please send a CV and 1 page covering letter to the recruitment email. 

Closing Date:

Round 1 - STEP Mentoring Programme closes on Thursday 4th June 2020. 

Round 2 - Explore and Empower Mentoring Programme closes on Thursday June 25th 2020.

We are looking for successful candidates to start as soon as possible and therefore applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews scheduled accordingly. 

The job description is a general outline of the duties and responsibilities the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time. 

Post: NCS Team Leader

Based at: Millwall Community Trust, Millwall Lions Centre, Bolina Road, SE16 3LN

Post Summary:

The Team Leader is a key role in the delivery of National Citizen Service (NCS) programme. It is designed to support young people to participate in activities which will develop their sense of responsibility and encourage them to be active in their local communities. This is a rewarding and challenging role which will require working long hours and participation in a night shift rota during the residential phases of the NCS programme. The Team Leader’s role is to inspire and lead a team of 15-17-year old participants through the NCS summer programme. This role is suitable for a mentor who can act as a strong role model and push each young person in the team to reach their full potential and deliver a wide variety of engaging sessions.

Salary grade:

£1600 for 20 day programme OR £1200 for 15 day programme (Exclusive of 2 days mandatory training)

Flexibility:

Flexibility is required from the post-holder to work effectively in a changing environment. Any other tasks that may be requested will be at the same level of responsibility and terms and conditions of employment. Night staff ROTA will also be in effect during residential phases.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead a team of up to 16 participants through the NCS programme, maintaining high levels of enthusiasm and engagement throughout. Ensure that the support, pastoral and safety needs of young people are met whilst also being the disciplinarian of the team

• Manage an Assistant Team Leader and work collaboratively to coordinate workloads and to ensure the NCS code of conduct is upheld throughout the programme

• Deliver assigned curriculum including daily reflection sessions and follow lesson plans provided in line with the programme curriculum and NCS ethos

• Ensure all policies and procedures are followed and tasks are completed accurately throughout the programme. Such tasks could include: completing young people registers, incident and safeguarding reporting, and risk assessments

• Positively engage with all aspects of the programme including the outdoor activity first phase, residential second phase and the community-focussed third phase, adopting an inclusive approach to all aspects of the programme

• Work with the Assistant Team Leader to adhere to deadlines, procedures and timetables to ensure that all paperwork is completed correctly and handed in on time

• Work with all delivery partners including outdoor instructors and colleagues to support and ensure the enjoyment and achievement of all participants

• Coordinate, support and encourage your team through the planning, implementation and evaluation of an impactful social action project that directly benefits people living in their local community

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience of building a positive rapport with young people from a variety of cultural, economic and social backgrounds

• Ability to inspire and motivate teams and individuals to help them achieve their potential

• Excellent teamwork and ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and also the ability to line manage 1 member of staff

• Ability to be proactive and adaptable with the skills to think on your feet

• Well organised with a responsible attitude to paperwork and record-keeping

• Experience of working in a demanding environment, and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations

• Strikingly positive and motivated attitude, with a passion for building stronger communities and seeing change in society

• Ability to lead and follow the curriculum and facilitate sessions for up to 16 young people and make them as engaging and interactive as possible.

About the NCS Programme

We are a local delivery partner for the National Citizen Service (NCS), a life-changing experience for 15-17-year old’s. The scheme is available to young people from all backgrounds to take part in outdoor activities, meet new people and give something back to their communities. By taking part they learn new skills and have a great experience they can put on their CVs or college applications.

They achieve this by completing three phases​:

• Be Epic Phase 1: Up to 3 socially mixed teams of young people bond through a week of challenging outdoor activities and engaging evening sessions . Residential
• Live Life Phase 2: Teams return to their local area and learn new skills such as public speaking, CV and interview skills, Money management, Career development. Residential
• Do Good Phase 3: Teams work to design and deliver a campaign and social action projects that will bring the local community together. Non-residential

Accommodation and Training

• All meals and accommodation are provided during the NCS Phase 1 & 2, generally in an outdoor activity center.
• Phase 3 will be non-residential on a 9-5 basis and not catered.
• 2 day training must be completed prior to being allowed to work on a wave which will include first aid training as you will be the designated first aider for your team

Please Apply Via our website and return a completed application form and CV 

Assesment day will be held on - 25/04/2020