Project Worker

TO PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 18-25 AND WHO ARE COPING WITH A RANGE OF DIFFICULTIES AND ISSUES CAUSED BY PAST TRAUMA AND/OR ABUSE. THE SERVICE WILL COMPRISE TWO ELEMENTS OF SUPPORT.

FIRSTLY A ?TIME OUT? MODEL WHICH WILL INCLUDE OFFERING SHORT TERM NURTURING AND CARE FOR UPTO 8 YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING TEMPORARY BREAK DOWN IN THEIR NORMAL LIVING SITUATION. THE SECOND ELEMENT OF THE PROJECT WILL BE TO PROVIDE MEDIUM TERM ACCOMMODATION AND SUPPORT TO A FURTHER 8 YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A VIEW TO ASSISTING THOSE INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS SUSTAINABLE LONGER TERM, MORE INDEPENDENT ACCOMMODATION. BOTH ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT WILL ADOPT A THERAPEUTIC MODEL OF PRACTICE AND HOLD THE PRINCIPLE OF NON-EXCLUSION AT THE CORE OF ITS WORK.

OBJECTIVES:
1. To ensure that the young people supported by the project receive the best possible service at all times.
2. To ensure that young people who use the Project receive a high level of individual attention, in terms of support, counselling, advocacy and inter-agency representation.
3. To help to develop a co-operative relationship with all other relevant agencies and providers to maximise the potential benefit to the young people using the Project.
4. To contribute to the formation of operational policy and to the development of practice within the project.

KEY ACTIVITIES:
1. To create a safe, nurturing and enabling environment, which assists young people both in need of a period of Time Out and in the longer term supported accommodation
2. To engage creatively in the project?s referral process and participate in devising Time Out packages or support plans depending on the young person?s need at the time of admission
3. To work directly with young people within the project, offering support and counselling, using the widest range of individual and group work methods.
4. To work collaboratively with outside agencies offering individual specialist support to young people.
5. To undertake keyworker responsibilities in relation to specific designated young people in accordance with the project?s established policy and practice on key working in relation to the supported accommodation element of the project.
6. To record all work undertaken to a high standard of accuracy and detail.
7. To participate actively in team meetings and all other forums aimed at developing policy and practice within the project.
8. To participate actively in supervision sessions with the relevant Depute Project Leader
9. To uphold the values, principles and policies of Quarriers and to operate at all times within the agency?s relevant policy guidelines.
10. To work within Quarriers? professional and administrative policies and practice guidelines.
11. To undertake any other duties which are commensurate with the post.

NB. The above Job Description will be reviewed on an annual basis and may change as necessary with prior negotiation



Qualifications
Desirable Education/Professional Qualification

Relevant SVQ III or equiv HNC

Certificated qualification in Counselling

Professional qualification in social work, community education or related discipline


Skills
Essential Skills:

Career Experience
Experience in the field of working with young people affected by issues such as homelessness, trauma, abuse, etc
Experience of professional practice in a community setting

Job Specific Skills
Knowledge of housing and social work services as they relate to young homeless people
Knowledge of the structured forms of support which may be deployed in supported accommodation projects for young people i.e. keyworking, reviewing,etc
Knowledge of the range of provision in the homelessness network and an ability to engage pro-actively to promote the rights and opportunities for young people with a variety of agencies
Ability to perform fully as part of a team.

Post Specific Requirements
IT skills
Satisfactory attendance record (DD A absences excluded)
Good general health
Ability to work on a full shift pattern including evening shifts, sleepovers, waking night shifts and weekend shifts
Supportive and enabling approach to young people
Ability to prioritise tasks and organise a diverse workload always maintaining the young person at the heart of any schedule
Good interpersonal skills applicable to fellow professionals as well as young people
Good recording and report writing skills
Knowledge of/ proficiency in activities applicable to work with young people
High level of reliability, commitment and personal integrity

The following skills are desirable:

Direct experience of supporting young people in a therapeutic environment or in working closely with agencies who provide
counselling or therapeutic support to young people

Previous training in the field of Homelessness / Housing/ Counselling/ Domestic violence/Trauma, etc

Specific experience of therapeutic interventions

Ability to use and share personal skills and knowledge with other members of the team and young people i.e art, alternative therapies,

Current driving licence