JOB TITLE: Project Worker

REF:SYC/FW/0317

SERVICE: PSS Sefton Young Carers

PEOPLE

Reports to:Specialist Practitioner

Number of direct reports:

Key relationships:The Specialist Practitioner and the Sefton Young Carers team. The Family Impact Service Manager and the wider Family Impact team.

FINANCIAL/BUDGET

Support the business to fully maximise the use of resources by ensuring that all material and financial resources within the remit of the position are managed efficiently and effectively. Provide professional assistance to the service Specialist Practitioner with regard to the monitoring of outcomes. Support the service to achieve its business outcomes in line with the services Action Plan.

DECISION MAKING

AUTHORITY/AUTONOMYThe post holder will work as directed by the services Specialist Practitioner, managing a caseload of Families. They will play an active role in service delivery and development decisions made by the Sefton Young Carers team.

COMPLEXITYThe post holder will be able to make therapeutic and practical interventions with individuals and complex interventions with whole Young Carer families adapting those interventions to meet the families emerging needs. They will be able to plan, deliver and review group activities using tools creatively to produce the impact and outcomes required. They will use their professional judgement to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.

MAIN PURPOSE

To develop and promote positive life experiences for Young Carers in Sefton. To develop work towards reducing the social isolation experienced by Young Carers, by promoting their educational needs and improving their social and emotional development and well being. Work in partnership with local agencies within the community to develop respite activities to ensure they are delivered to reflect the Every Child Matters agenda. To work in conjunction with colleagues from the PSS Family Impact Team.To understand the needs of children and provide parents with information about their children’s development needs. To understand the needs of individuals and whole families living with the consequences of caring and find ways to help them. To earn individuals and families trust and recognise their potential. Be brave enough to take risks when working with individuals and families and encourage their independence and choices. Actively support the whole Family Impact team to get better at what we do. To actively influence the development of the project and the development of a high performance, values driven culture that is able to attract, retain, motivate and develop high quality people.

SCOPE OF JOB AND FOCUS OF ROLE

What % of the role is made up of:-

  • Service Delivery – 80%
  • People Management – 10%
  • Sustainability and Business Development – 5%
  • Finance and Resources – 5%

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Service Delivery

  • Share the PSS vision and values. Actively support the development of a learning culture within the Family Impact teams. Develop a clear understanding of the role, service objectives and obtain the skills, knowledge and experience needed to meet those objectives.
  • To be responsible for the development, including planning and delivery of a programme of focussed respite group activities for Young Carers that explore the issues they face within their caring role.
  • Develop opportunities for volunteers to support Young Carers and their families.
  • To respond to the needs of families of Young Carers and signpost as appropriate.

People Management

  • To carry out direct work with Young Carers and families.
  • To build strong relationships with colleagues and other professionals to increase their involvement in service delivery for Young Carers.
  • To have responsibility for the management and supervision of volunteers and if appropriate, students on placement.
  • To ensure effective service user involvement in service planning, consultation and monitoring by constantly seeking the views of Young Carers and their families.

Sustainability and Business Development

  • Help the service build good relationships and networks with agencies in the field sharing best practice and development opportunities for partnership working. To develop a good understanding of business aims and objectives at a local level. Strive to maintain relationships with colleagues across the Strengthening Families team and the regions and assist them to achieve their social and business objectives. To maintain all appropriate records required by the project andmaintain effective communication systems within the project and the wider Strengthening Families service portfolio.
  • To be responsible for raising awareness with all local agencies in order for Young Carers to be recognised and appropriately supported.

Finance and Resources

  • When identified by the Project Manager, to be responsible for aspects of the projects budget and funding for activities and equipment.
  • To complete the required documentation forms accurately, timesheets, expense forms etc.
  • To follow and adhere to PSS financial guidelines.

SERVICE SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

  • To encourage Young Carers’ participation in planning and evaluating their activities and to ensure their involvement in the wider participation agenda within children's services in Sefton.
  • To be responsible for assessment procedures for Young Carers.
  • To take all practicable steps to ensure the emotional and physical health, safety and well being of Young Carers attending all activities organised by the project, including undertaking risk assessments, the safety of the building.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

1. To actively participate in developing directorate, team and individual objectives and

plans, attend staff performance management and learning and development reviews.

2. The post holder is expected to be flexible in the performance of duties and to

undertake any other duties identified as appropriate to the post.

3. All jobs are subject to change from time to time and this job description will be

reviewed regularly.

CONFIDENTIALITY

At PSS, we recognise the great importance of confidentiality in the professional practice of its staff and in its administrative procedures. Information clearly intended for one purposeshould not be used for another without the sanction of the service user, staff member orperson supplying the information. The only exceptions are where there is clear evidence ofserious danger to the service user, staff member or other person(s) or where legislationrequires release of the information. All staff are required not to divulge any information,verbal or written, to any external source that could be damaging to the company’s reputationor commercial viability. Our Confidentiality Policy (Staff Guidebook Section 2.15) andWhistleblowing Procedure (Staff Guidebook Section 2.120) must be referred to for furtherdetails.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND HEALTH & SAFETY

Ensure compliance with, and application of, PSS requirements with regard to equality and diversity and Health & Safety both for self and all staff and providers they manage.

Demonstrate respect for others, promote awareness of obligations of staff and providers andidentify actions to promote equality and diversity and health & safety across the organisation.

PSS POLICIES

All employees are required to implement and follow PSS policies and procedures and to

undergo any training associated with them.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake and represents a range of responsibilities commensurate with the grade for the post. It does not form part ofyour contract of employment.

PREPARED BY:______DATE:______

APPROVED BY:______DATE:______

Person Specification

Job Title: Project Worker

Please note – each requirement should be on a separate line

Requirement / Essential / Assess from:
E= Essential
D = Desirable / A = application
I = interview
R = references
E = exercise/practical
Qualifications
Level 2 Diploma in Child Care, Play, Health & Social Care, or comparable. / E / A
Full Driving Licence and use of own car / E / A.I
Knowledge
List requirements
Awareness and understanding of children and young peoples’ development and issues. / E / A,I
Awareness of Young Carers issues. / E / A,I
Understanding of Safeguarding and Child Protection and related issues. / E / A,I
Understanding and commitment to legislation, updated research and inclusive practice in relation to Young Carers. / D / A,I
Understanding of Every Child Matters Agenda. / E / A,I
Skills
To engage with sensitivity. / E / I,R
Good organisation and presentation skills / E / I,R
To be self-motivated. / E / A,I,R
To be able to work alone using own initiative. / E / A,I,R
To be a team player. / E / A,I,R
Good communication skills especially with children and young people. / E / A,I
Group-work skills. / E / A,I
Experience
Direct work and team working with children and young people. / E / A,I
Experience of planning and delivering child-centred activities. / E / A,I
Experience of group work with children and young people. / E / A,I
Experience of working in a multi-agency setting. / E / A,I,R
Experience of working within the Every Child Matters Framework. / D / A,I,R
Attitude
Work with flexibility according to changing requirements of the Project. / E / I,R
Respect diversity and be committed to Equal Opportunities. / E / A,I
Friendly and approachable attitude / E / A,I,R
Commitment to universal services for all children and young people / E / A,I