Bradford City Centre Project

Notes to Applicant

Please read before completing the application form

Role of the Advice Worker

Reception duties. Reception is the first point of contact when arriving at BCCP for young people. It is an important part of our work. Young people need to be dealt with in a welcoming pleasant manner whilst details are taken down on a reception sheet, which is then passed onto the advice team.

Resource Room. Activities in the project are based in the resource room. The aim of these activities is to promote the development of skills, self esteem, motivation and mutual support amongst the young people who use this service

Interviewing. Young people have many differing issues and problems. One of the first things an adviser learns to do is listen. It is important to let the young person explain their problems. You will then need to discuss the case further with them and ask questions make issues clearer.

Information. BCCP have a resource library, books of reference, external agencies, and hostels on-line, if consulted can all help give the required information.

Advice. The BCCP advice worker needs to explain the options that maybe available to the young person to be empowered and then make an informed choice.

Practical Help. This can be the drafting of letters, making telephone calls, completing forms and negotiating with some outside agency on behalf of the young person.

Case Recording. All young people's cases are recorded; enabling BCCP to refer to these if any follow up work is necessary.

Administration. Advisers may be asked to assist with some basic admin work. This could include up-dating library, typing, photocopying etc.

Support. All levels of support is given and workers are encouraged to continually develop through training opportunities.

The Requirements

Confidentiality. Everything that you see and hear at BCCP by necessity has to be confidential. Each worker has to sign an agreement to observe a strict rule of confidentiality before they can commence voluntary duties.

Conduct and Boundaries. All workers are expected to work within the code of conduct; this code sets our boundaries on relationships between workers and young people.

Equal Opportunities. BCCP is committed to equal opportunities for all young people. The policy aims to ensure that young people who face discrimination feel welcome within the BCCP when using its services.

Non-judgmental Approach. Whatever views you hold, you will be working with all manners of young people and the varied problems, which they have. You need to examine your own views and feelings (and perceptions) to ensure that you give an equal service to all young people.

Training for new workers. Each new worker has to undergo an initial period of training, after which they then work under supervision for a period of time with a named person who acts in the role of supervisor/support worker.

In-service Training. Various types of training sessions are provided and all new advice workers will be trained before giving advice to young people.

Team Meetings. Attendance at these meetings is a crucial aspect of Advice Teamwork. The meetings involve discussion on training, case discussion, policy issues, preventative work and information sharing as well as mutual support.

New Information. Legislation and other matters are continually changing and you will need to spend time reading up in order to keep yourself well informed.

Time Commitment. You will need to work a minimum of 2 advice sessions per week, plus attendance of training and team meetings.

Travel and Lunch expenses. It is BCCP policy that advice volunteers get travelling expenses and lunch expenses whilst working at BCCP. BCCP will inform you of the rate of which they are paid.

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