Next Steps Co-ordinator

Job Title:Next StepsCo-ordinator

Position:Temporary 16 month| Part-time

Salary:£19,500 pro rata(£975 gross pm)

Hours:22.5 hours (preferably worked over 3 days 9.30-5.00pm)

Hours & Pay NEGOTIABLE depending on experience

Responsible to:CEO

Start date:ASAP

Annual Leave:6 daysto 31/08/18 (+ 17 days 01/09/18-31/08/19) + bank holidays(when falling on a normal working day)

This is an interesting and varied role for someone who enjoys working with a wide range of people, providing a mentoring, advice and guidance service for adults at risk of social exclusion, primarily but not exclusively, due to experience of mental ill-health. Working with individuals and small groups known to CCA, you will help people to take positive steps forward on their life journey and where possible towards education, training, volunteering and employment. The role does not involve therapy or addressing mental health issues but focusses on opportunities and moving forward in the context of challenges that people may face.

The ideal candidate will have excellent communication skills. You will be welcoming, have a can-do attitude and be good at problem solving with a smile. Part of the role will be desk-based so you must be confident with IT but also enjoy providing direct support to adults and getting out into the community. You must be well organised and prepared to manage your work load within 3 days.

Background

Cambridge Community Arts changes lives through creative participation providing creative courses for adults at risk of social exclusion, primarily due to mental ill-health. Weekly courses are led by practising artists in a variety of art-forms in community settings. Taking part in a CCA course improves mental well-being, self-esteem and confidence. CCA delivers year-long courses leading to a nationally recognised qualification in partnership with Cambridge Regional College. In addition, we run short courses to explore new art-forms and to engage new learners. These are often run in partnership with other organisations e.g. MIND in Cambridgeshire, WEA, Cambridge City Council, Cambridgeshire County Council.

Our office is currently based at the 16-18 Arbury Court, Cambridge CB4 2JQ. Activities are held at various city community venues that the post-holder will be expected to travel to. Travel costs will be reimbursed through submission of an expenses claim form. This is a 16-monthcontract ending on 31August 2019 renewal opportunities will be dependent on funding.

This post is funded by

Job Description

The main purpose of the post is to deliver the “Next Steps” programme providing small steps for progression for CCA learners after they have completed their courses. CCA learners are adults who are at risk of social exclusion primarily due to experience of mental ill-health but also due to other challenges including physical health, disability and learning differences. You will offer support that enables people to progress at the appropriate pace and direction for their individual journey.

Next Steps

Next Steps is a new CCA programme as part of a Building Better Opportunities project: Community Connections South (funded by the Big Lottery Fund and theEuropean Social Fund) to help those furthest from work back into employment. The programme is also supported by Cambridge City Council.

The work will involve:

Guidance & Mentoring

A series of sessions with individuals and groups as part of the Step Forward project.

Signposting

You need to have and maintain knowledge of opportunities for learner progression in the Cambridgeshire area. This includes education, training, volunteering, work experience and employment opportunities. The role involves on-going research and networking with other IAG agencies.

Administration

You will provide support to CCA clubs (e.g. collecting subs, booking rooms, setting guidelines, organising meetings) developing skills in club members to take on responsibilities.

Reporting

you will be responsible for recording and monitoring progress of individuals on the Step Forwardproject including providing evidence and reporting to Community Connections South.

Specific projects you will be responsible for:

Next Steps Fair

Organising and delivering the Next Steps Fair, an annual event that brings representatives from organisations that offer CCA graduates opportunities with information, advice and guidance relating to education and training, volunteering and employment.

Previous attendees have included:

  • Adult Careers Service, Cambridgeshire County Council
  • Cambridge Regional College
  • The Supported Volunteering Project
  • The Richmond Fellowship
  • Kettles Yard
  • CCA Club representatives
  • Third Sector Organisations looking for volunteers

The Fair is held in May/June to enable Learners who are graduating in July to start thinking about their next steps before their course has finished.

Progression Interviews

You will be involved in the end of year interviews with learners, to review their experience and identify progression opportunities.

Clubs

Several clubs have been set up by past CCA learners allowing them to continue with their creative activities in a safe social space after their year-long CCA course has finished. Each club sets its own individual guidelines and membership rules. You will providesupport with the set-up and administration of new groups with a view to the clubs eventually becoming sustainable and run independently by learners. You will provide practical support to existing groups and managing the reduction of that support over time.

Current clubs include

  • The Artists’ Collective, Mondays 1.30-4.30pm, Buchan Street Neighbourhood Centre
  • Music Production Club, Wednesdays 2-4pm, Arbury Community Centre
  • The Cambridge Photographers, Wednesdays 12-2pm Arbury Community Centre Cafe

Other duties

To provide administrative support as required and provide any other reasonable duties related to the organisation.

If you do not have up to date training in Adult Safeguarding and Prevent this will be provided.

As this post involves adults at risk, the successful applicant will be required to have a DBS check.

Disclosures are preferred at point of application and will be risk-assessed by the Community Advisory Panel separate to interview panel.

Person Specification

Essential Experience / Desirable Experience
Advisory or Mentoring Role / IAG / Employment Advisory Position
Working with adults at risk of social exclusion / Working with adults with experience of mental ill-health
Community Development Work
Essential Knowledge / Desirable Knowledge
Third Sector in Cambridgeshire / Employment opportunities in Cambridgeshire
Safeguarding
Essential Skills / Desirable Skills
Excellent Communication (written & verbal) / Training to small groups
Excellent IT (use of Microsoft Office) / Advanced Excel; online project management software
Community Fundraising
Essential Attributes / Desirable Attributes
Empathy to people at risk of social exclusion / Interest in Arts
Self-motivation
Positivity

Application Process

Please write a covering letter addressing the person specification(no more than 2 sides A4) and send with a CV (no more than 2 sides A4) to

Deadline for applications is 5pm Thursday 26th April.

Invitations for interview should be received by Friday 27th April. Interviews will take place in Cambridge on Monday 30th April. We will endeavour to respond to every applicant but as a small team will prioritise shortlisted candidates.