Specialist Youth Worker (school based)

Queensberry AP was established in March 2018. The organisation has been built upon extensive professional experience working with young people and families in roles within the education and social carer sectors. The Directors have worked across SEBD schools, Children's Social Care, mainstream schools and more recently as the senior leadership team within a Local Authority Pupil Referral Unit (PRU). This has provided them with a wealth of knowledge which has been fundamental to the development of the organisation.

Queensberry AP deliver a range of interventions and packages of support to young people, families and professionals to support in reducing the numbers of young people involved in youth violence and reduce the risks of child exploitation; both Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE). Queensberry AP adopts a Contextual Safeguarding methodology and trauma Informed practice and considers the external factors that influence the lives of the young people and families working with the service to deliver packages of support that really do make a make a difference.

A key strength Queensberry AP is the lived experience of the team members and use of real life examples within the programmes of work. The wider team includes team members who have been selected based upon their personal "lived experiences". Our intervention provides a "real-life" perspective into the impacts and consequences of school exclusions, exploitation and criminality in a way that young people understand and can relate to and offers parents, carers and professionals with the advice and support required to safeguard young people.

We pride ourselves in offering a service that goes above and beyond to help bring about change and building long-lasting relationships young people and their families.

As a School Based Specialist Youth Worker you will work in school settings across Cheshire helping to deliver a preventative programme that engages and supports young people to ensure positive outcomes. You will develop positive working relationships with schools and other key partners to ensure young people are supported effectively and provide strategies to these partner organisations to help bring about long-term change.

The role involves delivering sessions on a wide range of topics focused around exploitation and youth violence using resources developed by Queensberry AP.

The key thing we are looking for is individuals who are motivated and passionate about making a difference to the lives of the young people. We want people that can build relationships based on trust and respect and maintain them

Responsibilities:

• Deliver a trauma informed preventative programme of intervention to young people on a one-to-one basis and some small group workshops in school settings
• Develop strategies to support young people beyond programmes of intervention
• Write detailed reports outlining programmes of work
• Maintain up to date records and communication logs
• Ensure all young people are safeguarded to the very highest of standards and in-line with Queensberry AP's policies and expectations
• Effectively manage appointments, admin duties and attendance at meetings as and when required
• Be a positive role-model for young people and behave in a way that is appropriate and in-line with the high standards expected by Queensberry AP at all times
• Act as the first point of contact for school staff on programme related enquiries
• To be an active and inspiring ambassador for the Queensberry AP brand, representing the organisation at community/professional events
• Attend necessary team meetings, training and undertake development opportunities
• To be an effective member of the wider staff team, sharing ideas, collaborating with staff, young people and volunteers, to help make Queensberry AP the leading organisation in the field of exploitation/youth violence intervention

Personal Skills:

• A genuine desire to support and help young people
• Knowledge/experience of Restorative and Trauma Informed Practices
• Knowledge of current social trends and issues affecting young people and how to relate to them
• Excellent knowledge and experience of confidentiality and safeguarding
• Caring, calm, compassionate, approachable, understanding, non-judgemental and empathetic
• Confident, assertive, enthusiastic, motivated, resilient and committed
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Interpersonal skills
• Active listening skills
• Conflict management skills
• Organisational, planning and time management skills alongside excellent administrative skills, e.g. report writing
• Confidence in working alone using own initiative
• Work under pressure, be patient and remain calm in stressful situations
• Ability to build relationships based on trust and respect and maintain them
• Ability to establish boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour
• Provide appropriate guidance, support and advice
• Ability to inspire and motivate young people
• A flexible approach and ability to adapt to change
• Experienced in the use of IT and software packages

As an organisation that works with children we are committed to safeguarding, protecting and promoting the safety of young people. An Enhanced DBS Check with children's barred list is required for this role