CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PRACTITIONER

/in /by

JOB TITLE:                               CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE’S PRACTITIONER

LOCATION:                             MAINLY BASED OVER TWO SITES IN CENTRAL NORTHAMPTON

RESPONSIBLE TO:                   OPERATIONS MANAGER

S

RESPONSIBLE FOR:     Assisting the Children and Young People’s Team Co-ordinator in the assessment of children and young people’s needs and delivering of the day to day running of services and programmes for women and children seeking to move on from the impact of domestic abuse.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS: The Children and Young People’s Practitioner will be required to work 24 hours per week worked over 5 days.  Some out of hours/evening/early morning/weekend work may be required.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POST: To provide holistic and specialist support to children and young people who have been victims of or witnessed Domestic Abuse.  To work alongside families overseeing their progress through a programme of activities and interventions, offering support and strategies to achieve against 5 outcomes:  Physical Survival, Safety and Security, Social Needs and Belonging, Self Worth and Esteem and Meaning and Purpose. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

KNOWLEDGE – Essential

  1. Have a good understanding of, knowledge, and training in domestic abuse including the impact of domestic abuse on victims and their children.
  2. Have knowledge of civil and criminal law affecting victims of domestic abuse and their children.
  3. Understand safeguarding issues and the legal responsibilities surrounding these.
  4. Knowledge and understanding of National Standards for under 8s day care and Ofsted requirements.
  5. Knowledge and understanding of the principles of youth work.
  6. Understanding of the principles of risk assessment, safety planning and risk management for victims of domestic abuse and their children.
  7. Understanding and commitment to equal opportunities and diversity issues in policy and practise.

Desirable

  1. Understanding of the remits and resources of relevant statutory bodies and voluntary agencies.

EXPERIENCE – Essential

  1. Work with a variety of ages of children and young people.
  2. Working in a team and on own initiative.
  3. Keeping written records and evaluations.
  4. Managing a case load.
  5. Facilitating /delivering group work.

Desirable

  1. Working with victims of domestic abuse.
  2. Working as an agency representative in external groups.

SKILLS – Essential

  1. A suitable child/youth related qualification e.g. NNEB, NVQ Early Years Child Care Level 3, Youth work qualification, teaching qualification.
  2. Paediatric First Aid qualification
  3. Ability to make professional, client-centred decisions using appropriate policies, procedures to guide those decisions
  4. Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills.
  5. Have a driving licence and have a car that is available during working hours and must be suitable for carrying families in connection with their work.
  6. Ability to deliver specialist relationship/domestic abuse group work programmes to children and young people, or be willing to build on existing skills and undertake additional specialist training if required.
  7. The ability to develop positive working relationships with a wide age range of children.
  8. Ability to work flexibly under supervision in a small team whilst being able to effectively work on own initiative in the absence of a Manager.
  9. Computer literacy skills.
  10. Ability to manage own work load, with appropriate administrative and organisational skills.
  11. The ability to show initiative and be proactive when managing a case load and interacting with service users and partner agencies.
  12. Strong crisis management skills and the ability to deal with stressful and difficult situations.
  13. Ability to communicate effectively with other statutory and voluntary agencies.
  14. Ability to assess, monitor and record outcomes effectively.
  15. Ability to be self motivated and the ability to motivate others.

Desirable

  1. Paediatric First Aid Qualification.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

  1. Compassion and empathy with the service user’s situation.
  2. Ability to act with integrity and respect when working with all service users, agencies and individuals.
  3. Flexibility, adaptability and initiative.
  4. An enthusiastic and positive approach.
  5. An optimistic attitude towards the possibility of personal growth and change. 

MAIN DUTIES

  1. Where requested by managers to act as Child Protection lead, keeping up to date on all Safeguarding issues, contributing to the updating of NVCFR Child Protection policy and advising other staff where necessary.
  2. Assess risks and needs of victims of domestic abuse and their children through the use of assessment tools and refer to other statutory or voluntary agencies as appropriate.
  3. Establish play sessions and prioritise work with regard to the individual needs of the children
  4. Ensure all children’s work and activities comply with Ofsted requirements.
  5. Work alongside each child/young person on case load to develop a person centred, needs led support plan that supports the to achieve against service outcomes
  6. Manage case load ensuring each child/young person receives the appropriate service individual to their needs
  7. Undertake preparation, delivery and evaluation of Children’s services, including therapeutic group work and programmes
  8. Undertake regular reviews and  oversee and monitor children and young people’s progress through services delivered
  9. Undertake regular monitoring, review and evaluation of group work, programmes and services delivered.
  10. Work with and support service users who are parents in relation to the needs of their children
  11. If required, provide nutritious meals for children in the absence of the parent
  12. Plan and assist in residential meal times, parties, outings, day trips and holidays
  13. Attend multi disciplinary meetings with other agencies for children, young people and adults on allocated case load
  14. Attend Case Conferences, Core groups and other related meetings/groups, providing written reports as required
  15. Be aware of Health and Safety requirements in all issues relating to children and to ensure that regular safety checks are made in line with NVCFR Health and Safety and Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
  16. Assess injury/sickness and obtain medical attention for children if required.
  17. Assist in the daily running and security of the service.
  18. Liaise with staff and volunteers and statutory bodies and voluntary agencies as appropriate, having due regard to confidentiality.
  19. Keep and maintain records both electronic and paper based as appropriate and provide written reports where required.
  20. Comply with data protection legislation, confidentiality and information sharing policy and procedures and all legislation connected to the work
  21. Attend and contribute regularly to team development days, staff meetings, supervision and other team events
  22. As required cover staff holidays and sickness
  23. Undertake further training opportunities as appropriate.
  24. Any other duties as may be required by Trustees and managers from time to time.