Independent Visitor Co-ordinator
Person Specification
* Method of Assessment
A = Application Form D = Documentary Evidence (e.g. Certificates/Portfolio) I = Interview (panel and/or young people)E = Exercise
Please note that this column is indicative of where each criterion is likely to be tested, however all elements of the person specification may be tested at any stage of the recruitment process. Candidates must use each element of the person specification as a heading in the supporting statement of their application, explaining clearly and with examples how they meet the criteria.
Factor / Criteria / Essential/Desirable / Method of Assessment*A / D / I / E
Education / Experience /
- Good standard of general education
- A social care, counselling, youth work or other relevant qualification
- At least 3 years experience of direct work with children/young people in a professional capacity
- Direct work with children and young people from diverse backgrounds
- Experience of working with a range of professionals including children’s Social Care
- Experience of working with looked after children and/or care leavers
- Previous experience in supervision or management of staff/volunteers
- Experience of working with volunteers
- Experience of working with children in specialised areas such as mental health, refugees, disability and care leavers, young offenders
- Experience of working with children and young people in an advice, advocacy or counselling capacity
- Experience of working with children’s safeguarding issues and of making safeguarding referrals for children.
- Experience as a trainer
Skills/Abilities & Knowledge /
- Ability to listen to and communicate effectively with children
- Ability to challenge discrimination on any grounds, including race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religion, disability and age
- Ability to work in partnership with other professionals involved with children/young people
- Ability to work with children and young people in ways that are safe, open and respect their rights
- Ability to work on own initiative
- Ability to organise own work, use IT systems competently and be reliable
- High level of written skills and the ability to produce letters and reports to a professional standard
- Good understanding of the role of Independent Visitors and the legislation and policy that guide the role.
- Sufficient knowledge of the care system and the responsibilities of children’s social care for looked after children
- Knowledge of Children’s Rights, including the Children Acts (1989, 2004)
- Understanding of the possible tensions between the needs of the child and the agencies providing services to them and the demonstrable ability to manage and navigate these
- Specialist skills in communicating with young people with disabilities
General /
- A commitment to the organisation and team working, flexibility and willingness to support colleagues and to share in overall work of Coram Voice
- Commitment to working and managing in line with Coram Voice’s values and the ability to apply this in the role
- An awareness of and sensitivity to differences of race, culture, belief, class, gender, sexuality, and ability and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice
- Car User