Isle of Anglesey CountyCouncil
Job Description
Job Title: TRAC Youth Engagement Worker and Pecyn 25
Specific responsibility: Co-ordinator and contact point for Pecyn 25 and the Inclusion Units.
Post Number: JE2775
Directorate: Lifelong learning
Service Unit: Youth Service
Grade:5 (26-30)
Overall Job Purpose: The post-holder will have responsibility for providing emotional and academic support to individuals (aged 11-24) identified through the European Funded (ESF) TRAC project to sustain their engagement and encourage progression through education or training. The worker will be expected to deliver a range of interventions that will give additionality to ‘Pecyn 25’ work programme, and will not duplicate what is provided from the core service of the Inclusion Service.
The post is funded until December 2021 (to be confirmed) through ESF.
The aim of the project is to enable young people to achieve their full learning potential and economic potential by providing additional, individualised, and intensive support to ensure that they have the skills and confidence to succeed in education, employment and training and to reduce the numbers of young people in NW Wales who are not engaging with education and may end up not earning or learning, (NEETS) or at risk of becoming so or who are failing to reach their full potential, because of multiple barriers.
Principal Accountabilities / Key Tasks:
- Working as part of the inter-agency TRAC team, contributing to the assessment process, planning, and review of young people’s needs, acting as lead worker in some cases as defined in the Welsh Government’s Youth Engagement and Progression Framework
- The post-holder will have specific responsibility within the team to co-ordinate and be a point of contact with the ‘Pecyn 25’ work package, working with the Gwynedd and Anglesey Inclusion team and the Inclusion Units for KS3, to ensure that the pupils engage and progress towards accredited outcomes.
- The post-holder will be expected to develop, deliver and quality assure a range of learning opportunities for young people, using informal youth work methods within the educational setting and other youth provision, which are suitable for the needs of young people that have been identified as requiring the support of TRAC.
- Enabling young people to access recognized achievements through coordination and some delivery, which contribute to the individual’s record of achievement (e.g. ASDAN Youth Achievement Awards, AgoredCymru, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, John Muir Awards, Wales Youth Service Certificate, BTEC/Sweet).
- Working with colleagues to improve individuals’ basic skills, and improve their educational motivation in accordance with targets set within their Individual Development Plans.
- Motivating young people by giving them a sense of achievement and recognition by setting specific targets, measurable, achievable, realistic and time bound during each contact, and measuring using Youth Star as a tool.
- Supporting the young people with whom they work as a mentor and advocate.
- Work with Education Welfare Officers, School Staff, FE providers, the Education Department, YJS, Social Services, Community Safety and other agencies to understand the young person’s needs and be able to support them more effectively through key transition stages.
- Work closely with the new Gwynedd and Anglesey Inclusion service to ensure achievement, protection and development of the young people on the project. Any provision will be additional to that which is already provided by the Inclusion Team.
- Ensure that clear and accurate records of work are kept, in accordance with the requirements, policies and systems of the Isle of Anglesey County Council and the European Commission Regulations with guidance from the Project Manager.
-Activity Log for each participant
-Project eligibility documents
-Soft Outcomes
-Youth Star
-Inputting any contact from provision that is commissioned onto the regional database.
- Attending school and youth service planning meetings, youth justice, social services, review meetings etc., and presenting updated reports as necessary.
- Attending moderating and training meetings held by awarding bodies, and cascading information about new developments to other members of the Learning Department.
- Ensuring that all the employer’s relevant policies and other statutory requirements are adhered to, including Equal Opportunities, Health and Safety, Information Governance and Safeguarding.
- Implementing the All Wales Guidelines on Child Protection, Children Act and the Social Services Well-being Act.
- Attending TRAC team meetings and contributing pro-actively and positively.
- Attending ‘Pecyn 25’ team meetings and working in co-ordination with their officers in delivering a quality service to pupils who are EOTAS.
- Ensuring preparatory arrangements are in place for participants who will be attending commissioned provision through TRAC. Uploading details of any adventurous activities to the health and safety Evolve system.
- Present a positive image of the Learning Department and the County Council at all times, and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and external partners and relevant stakeholders.
- Undertake any other relevant duties that are commensurate with the level of responsibility expected within the pay grade, and as directed by the Line Manager or deputy.
Positionin the Organisation:
Reports to: TRAC Project Manager (or to TherapeuticWorkerwhenresponsibilityhasbeendelegated)
Responsiblefor:
Staff supervised:None
Financial Resources
Level: A,B or C? Indicative Value £
PhysicalResources
Land and buildings - No./area / Value £Plant / Vehicles / Equipment – No / Value £
Information Systems – No./volume: 1 helixpad / Value £800
Delegation
Demandswithin the job:
Physicaldemands
The postholder will be required to drive extensively and carry ICT and activity materials across buildings.
Mentaldemands
The postholder will be working under prolonged pressure of competing demands and will be required to be particularly alert to both verbal and physical signs of deterioration in behaviour, attendance and compliance in the young people with whom they are dealing, and will need to be able to organise and make changes in their own schedule or make alternative provision at very short notice.
The postholder will need to work within situations of risk, and deal with risks to both themselves, their clients and other clients with whom they may be working.
The postholder will regularly need to work under their own initiative.
Emotionaldemands
The postholderwill be workingwithindividualswithcomplexsocialandeducationalneedsthatmayresultindifficultandupsettingexchanges. A lot of the sensitiveinformationexchangedwill be subject to confidentialityregulationsand the postholderwillrequireconsiderableemotionalresilienceandadvancedcopingstrategies to managethisresponsibilityeffectively.
LanguageRequirements:
Post is Welsh ESSENTIAL (also see Welsh Language Skills – post assessment)
Spoken:
Welsh
Basic conversation / exchanging information
X Detailed discussion / interviewing / investigation
Presentations
X Advocacy / representation
English
Basic conversation / exchanging information
Detailed discussion / interviewing / investigation
Presentations
Advocacy / representation
Other
Please Specify:
Basic conversation / exchanging information
Detailed discussion / interviewing / investigation
Presentations
Advocacy / representation
Written:
Welsh
Recording simple messages / emails
X Writing letters
Preparing reports and public documents
English
Recording simple messages / emails
Writing letters
Preparing reports and public documents
Other
Please Specify:
Recording simple messages / emails
Writing letters
Preparing reports and public documents
WorkingArrangementsandConditions:
Workingweek: Monday - Friday (flexibleworkingarrangement) andmayincludesomeeveningsandresidentialwork.
Contractedhours: 37 hours
Spread:
Identifiedwork base : CouncilOffices, Llangefni initially. May be calledupon to workfromvariousbasesacross Anglesey during project life.
Normally office based
Office based but with some site / home / meeting visits
Role involves substantial travelling with occasional visits to identified work base
BusinessTravel
No business travel
Some business travel. Postholder may be called upon to provide own vehicle
Some business travel, but council vehicle to be used wherever possible.
Postholder employed as driver / required to operate specialist machinery
Exposure to disagreeableworkingconditions
Environmental
Minimal / normal office environment
Some
Significant
Aggressive / difficultclients
Minimal
Some
Significant
OtherConditions:
DBS checkrequired
Enhanced
Standard
Not applicable
Work Flexibilities / Restrictions
Politically Restricted Post:
Yes
No
Home / Mobile Phone provided
Yes
No
Protective Clothing provided:
Yes
No
Flexibility
Your attention is drawn to the fact that in some cases particular duties and responsibilities are difficult to define and may vary from time to time without changing the general character of the duties and level of responsibilities entailed. In addition, it is a requirement of all employees that they accept elements of flexibility in duties and responsibilities and when necessary interchange within the organisation which will meet the changing needs and demands of the service. Such a requirement will enable the particular expertise of the postholder to be developed and maximised to the mutual benefit of both employer and employee.
Date of preparation of this job descriptiondocument:
22.09.17
Isle of Anglesey CountyCouncil - Person Specification
1. Education andTraining
The minimumeducationalrequirements/professional or vocationalqualificationsfor the post
1.1 Essential
1.1.1 Educated to A-level/ BTEC Level 3 / NVQ Level 3
1.2 Desirable
1.2.1. TeachingQualification/ QualificationLevel 3 inYouthWork / Trainingdelivery / Education support
Anyspecifictrainingrequiredfor the post Incl. Certification
1.3 Essential
1.3.1 Abilityto useMicrosoft Office 2010 & Outlook 2010 or latercompetently.
1.3.2 ChildandAdolescentMental Health relatedtraininge.g. attachment, substancemisuse, behaviouralissues
1.4 Desirable
1.4.1 Trainingrelated to Child or AdolescentMental Health e.g. attachment, substance or alcohol misuse, behaviouralissues.
1.4.1BasicCounsellingSkills
1.4.2Careersadvicerelatedtraining
1.4.3ChildProtectiontraining
2. KeyCompetenceRequirements
Job relatedknowledgecriticalforeffectiveperformance
2.1 Essential
2.1.1 Extensive evidence of working successfully with difficult to reach young people, some of whom will have a record of challenging behaviour, and all will either have become disengaged from education, or are at significant risk of doing so.
2.1.2 Evidence of working in both formal or informal educational settings, and/or a youth work setting.
2.1.3 Experience of delivering educational programmes to young people, to accredited levels using a range of Accredited Outcomes, including evidence of young people who have gained accreditations while working with them.
2.2 Desirable
2.2.1 Understanding of ESF monitoring and reporting requirements
Specificskillscriticalforeffectiveperformance
2.3 Essential
2.3.1 Excellent ICT skills
2.3.2 Ability to work to a highstandardinboth Welsh andEnglish (writtenandspoken)
2.3.3Excellentinterpersonalskillswithcolleaguesandyoungpeoplealike
2.3.4Ability to inspireandmotivateyoungpeopleto recognisethatthey areunder-achieving, andto retainthemonworkprogrammes, to enablethem to achievetheirfullpotential.
2.4 Desirable
2.4.1 Ability to workcreativelyanddevelopandimplementalternativemethods of engagingyoungpeople.
2.4.2 Evidence of implementing Health and Safety policiesandprocedures.
Managerial skills critical for effective performance
2.5 Essential
2.5.1 Experience of analysingandinterpretingcomplexinformationgainedthroughworkingwithyoungpeopleandworkingwiththemon a medium term work plan to enablethem to solvedifficultproblems.
2.5.2 Experience of analysingandinterpretingcomplex project requirementsandputtingtogethermediumand long term workplansforhimself/herself to ensure successfuloutcomesto set project targets.
2.5.3 Ability to managediffering project requirementsandbeingable to prioritiseworkaccording to the recognisedguidelines of the project.
2.5.4 Successfulapplicantwillhold a caseload of up to 20 youngpeople at anyonetime, andwillneed to completeevidence of contacts, and all relevantpaperwork as required by ESF guidelinesinbothpaperandelectronicformat, as listedinpoint 10 in the JD.
2.6 Desirable
2.6.1
3. PersonalAttributes
Personalvaluesandcharacteristicswhichshould be demonstratedinperforming the duties of the post
3.1 Essential
3.1.1 Confidence to makefrequentdecisionsandexercisingintiativewithoutreadyaccess to more seniorofficers.
3.1.2 Ability to workwithpatienceandprofessionalism at all times, evenwhenfacedwithpotentiallydifficultissuesfrom a youngperson’sbackground.
3.1.3 Able to adhere to strictconfidentialityrequirements at all times
3.1.4 Ability to recognisewhen it is necessary to consult a supervisor/managerforadviceonpolicy or resourceissue.
3.2 Desirable
3.2.1 Resiliencewhenfacedwithinevitable set-backswhenworkingwith the client group of the project
4. PersonalCircumstances
Job demandswhich, if not met, couldconstraineffectiveperformancein post
4.1 Essential
4.1.1 Fulldrivinglicenceanduse of ownvehicle
4.1.2 Able to workunsociablehours
4.1.3 Post is subject to anEnhanced DBS checkwhich is satisfactory to the Authority
4.2 Desirable
4.2.1Candidate is registered as a YouthWorker, YouthSupportWorker or EducationalSupportWorkerwith the EWC (Education WorkforceCouncilfor Wales).
4.2.2 Qualificationindrivingminibuses
ISLE OF ANGLESEY COUNTY COUNCIL
Welsh Language Skills – workplace assessment
NAME : ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
SERVICE : ……………………………………………………………………………………………………...
LOCATION : ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
GRADE OF POST : …………………………………………………………………………………………..
DATE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
POST IS WELSH ESSENTIAL (as noted on the job description)
Tick the relevant box (at least one from each section, ie. (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
(i) Listening
0 / No skills1 / Able to understand basic enquiries in Welsh [“Blemae…?”, “Ga isiarad â…?”]
2 / Able to understand a basic social conversation in Welsh
3 / Able to follow routine conversations involving work between fluent Welsh speakers
4 / Able to follow the majority of conversations involving work including group discussions / √
5 / Able to understand all conversations involving work
(ii) Reading
0 / No skills1 / Able to read basic words and phrases, e.g. signs or short and simple notes
2 / Able to read basic material involving work (slowly)
3 / Able to read routine material with a dictionary
4 / Able to read the majority of material in own area / √
5 / Able to understand all material involving work
(iii) Speaking
0 / No skills1 / Able to conduct a general conversation [greetings, names, saying, placenames]
2 / Able to answer simple enquiries involving work
3 / Able to converse with someone else, with some hesitancy, regarding routine work issues
4 / Able to speak the language in the majority of situations using some English words
5 / Fluent – able to conduct a conversation and answer questions, for an extended period of time where necessary / √
(iv) Writing
0 / No skills1 / Able to write basic messages – “Diolch am y llythyr. Dymagopio’r map”
2 / Able to answer simple correspondence with assistance
3 / Able to draft routine text, with editing assistance
4 / Able to prepare the majority of written material related to the area, with some assistance in terms of revision
5 / Skilled – able to compete written work without the need for revision / √
Whileundertaking the skillsassessmentfor the post it is necessary to look at the languageskills of the teamand the nature of the serviceandthenjustifyif a post is not ‘Welsh essential’.