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Job Information
Achieving for Children is a Community Interest Company that has a public sector ethos, combined with the freedom to innovate enabling us to do things differently. As a not-for-profit social enterprise owned by three local authorities (Windsor & Maidenhead, Kingston and Richmond), we offer the freedoms of a social enterprise with the employment benefits of local government. To find out more about us click here.
Please review our Candidate Application Guide before submitting your application, it’s packed with helpful tips to guide you through our application and interview process, while showing you what we are looking for.
Youth Justice Service (YJS) Project Worker
The Youth Justice (YJ) Service is part of Achieving for Children’s Corporate Parenting Directorate. The Youth Justice Service has a statutory role to play by diverting children away from the youth justice system; helping prevent offending and re-offending; reducing the use of custody; contributing to multi-agency public protection and safeguarding.
The post holder will provide information, advice & guidance on a range of opportunities including learning and career options enabling them to overcome barriers to progression. In addition, managing a range of accredited subjects & topics for the children and young people to work towards. The post holder will work with external agencies, training & employment providers to develop opportunities for children & young people.
This position is offered on an 18-month fixed-term basis.
About the role
This role will support children and young people who are at risk of being a victim of exploitation or offending (including children subject to statutory Police or Court disposals). Offering support to develop life & work-based skills via practical engagement, including reparation and community based projects. Also, providing information, advice & guidance on a range of opportunities which will include learning and career options through a range of accredited subjects & topics enabling children & young people to overcome barriers to progression.
You will;
- Design & supervise projects within the community.
- Work with YJS colleagues, as well as external partners to deliver projects & provide ETE support.
- Support children and young people to develop a positive sense of self-identity and encourage them to feel part of and connected to their local community.
- Adequately and appropriately risk assess all community based projects and reparation activities.
- Design and maintain a relevant range of AQA topics.
To learn more about this opportunity feel free to reach out to Louise Hulse at louise.hulse@achievingforchildren.org.uk.
About you
The YJS is committed to improving outcomes for justice-involved children, families and victims of crime. Within the YJ Service we have the following vision: ‘We take a child first, offender second approach and always seek to work in partnership with children and families to build resilience and sustain positive change’.
Therefore we are looking for someone who is dedicated to achieve positive change for the children and families the service works with.
You will:
- Be able to engage young people who are not in education, training or employment.
- Create projects locally which bring together young people & community stakeholders.
- Hold a relevant degree or qualification in Social Work, Education, Health, Youth Work or a recognised Youth Justice qualification.
- Coordinate the placement of young people on reparation activities & placements and to supervise young people undertaking reparation tasks (including safety & wellbeing)
- Utilise specific YJS resources targeted at supporting young people into education, training and employment. Including the co-ordination of AQA programmes.
About our benefits
We are focused on creating a positive supportive environment, where you will have access to a really wide range of resources, as well as a competitive salary and all the perks to enable hybrid working. In AfC you will also have access to:
- 29 days annual leave, increasing to 33 days after 2 years and 35 days after 4 years with an additional day off in your birthday month (Or for term-time workers, your leave entitlement consists of the non-working periods in your contract)
- Tailored induction sessions commencing on the date you start working for AfC
- Local Government salary and pension scheme (LGPS or Teachers Pension)
- Flexible working options - helping to keep a good work life balance
- A comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- A range of staff benefits and discounts
- An excellent learning and development offer to support your career pathway
To find out about all of the breadth of benefits of working for Achieving for Children click here. For our social work offer click here. For our Recruitment Journey, click here.
Important Information
Start dates: Achieving for Children have set start dates meaning successful candidates join on a set date in each month. Candidates are advised to prepare for this should a job offer be accepted to ensure eligible continuous service is not affected.
Right to work: The UK has introduced a new points-based immigration system affecting EU and Non-EU workers and sponsorship requirements. We advise checking the GOV.UK website for right to work guidance.
Equality: We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community who are currently underrepresented within our teams. Achieving for Children are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
Safeguarding: We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
