European Social Fund Young Persons Mentor

EU funds: Investing in Wales

Dear Applicant

European Social Fund Young Persons Mentor

This post is advertised in partnership with Drugaid.

Gofal is a mental health and wellbeing charity providing a range of services to support people who are experiencing or who have experienced mental ill health – something that will affect 1 in 4 of us in our lifetime.

Drugaid is a substance misuse service, helping individuals and communities tackle drug and alcohol problems in South Wales.

Thank you for your interest in working for us and please find enclosed the following:

1) Information on Gofal, Drugaid and the post you have applied for

2)Job Description and Person Specification

3)Application Form

4)Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

The closing date for receipt of your application is 12:30pm, Wednesday 25th January 2017. Please do ensure you return your application by this date and time. Gofal cannot be responsible for any applications received late and any applications that arrive after the deadline will not be considered.

We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Interviews will be held on the 6th and 7th of February 2017.

Applications will be considered against the person specification and shortlisted candidates invited to interview.

There are 4 available posts for this role. 2 of the posts will be employed by Drugaid in either Merthyr or Pontypridd, and 2 posts employed by Gofal in Cardiff or Barry. Your preference can be indicated in the application form.

We will contact you as soon as possible after shortlisting to inform you of the outcome.

Once again, thank you for your interest in Gofal and we look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

Anna Johnson

HR Administrator

About Gofal

Thinking differently about mental health and wellbeing

Gofal has been providing mental health and wellbeing services to people in Wales since 1990. We have come a long way since our first services opened in Bridgend, supporting the resettlement of people from the long stay psychiatric wards of Parc and Penyfai hospitals into homes in the community. We now operate across eleven local authorities in Wales and over 2,000 people use our services every year

Our Vision

Good mental health and wellbeing for all

Our Mission

To have a positive lasting impact in all that we do by

• Working together to provide services that we can be proud of
• Demonstrating outstanding practice in relation to staff mental health and wellbeing, learning and development
• Challenging the way we all think about, talk about and respond to mental health and wellbeing in all areas of our lives
• Using our profile, influence and voice to improve the lives of people living with or at risk of experiencing mental ill health
• Increasing the range and reach of our services through targeted and sustainable business growth
• Spending our money where it will have the maximum impact

Our Aspirations

Gofal aspires to:

• Work with integrity and dignity
• Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
• Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference
• Communicate honestly and openly
• Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined
• Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering
• Be respected for our knowledge and expertise

About Drugaid

Drugaid has been helping individuals and communities tackle drug and alcohol problems in South Wales for over 30 years.

Our Vision

Our vision is to bring about positive and sustained change for individuals and communities in support of the aspirations and needs of those affected by their own and someone else’s drug or alcohol use, by offering opportunities aimed at minimising harm and maximising resilience.

Our Purpose

Provide support, information and advocacy to those who are vulnerable and marginalised as the result of their own or someone else’s drug and / or alcohol misuse, in order to improve their physical, social and emotional well–being

Improve individuals’, communities’, and society’s understanding and awareness of the relationship between drug / alcohol use, misuse, vulnerability and exclusion, in order to overcome barriers which perpetuate the cycle

Our Ethos

The belief that individuals and their experiences are unique. Everything else flows from this, requiring services to be person-centred, flexible and wide-ranging to effectively meet the diversity of need. The belief that all individuals are entitled to respect and dignity within a safe environment.

A commitment to learning through conventional and non-traditional routes, and through empathic relationships with clients.

From this Drugaid aims to achieve a standard of competence in service delivery which is of the highest quality, within a framework committed to empowerment.

A commitment and expectation of mutuality.

This is essential for true partnership, collaboration and stakeholder relations which are open, trusting and transparent.

EU funds: Investing in Wales

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: European Social Fund Young Persons Mentor

Reports to: Young Persons Senior Mentor

Contracted Hours:37hrs per week

Salary: £18685 per annum

Office Base:Cardiff/Barry or Pontypridd/Merthyr (The office base will shared between both areas depending on service demand)

Date: Until August 31st 2018

Holidays:

Gofal: 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30

Drugaid: 25 days plus bank holidays.

Holidays increase by 1 day for each year of service up to a maximum of 30

Pension:

Gofal: Pension in the form of a money purchase pension scheme:

- 5.5% paid if employee contributes 1%

- 6.5% paid if employee contributes 2% or more

Drugaid: 8% Pension Plan

Other Benefits:

Gofal: Income Protection

Life Assurance

Employee Assistance Programme

Opportunities for flexible working

Training and personal development opportunities

Drugaid: Investment in your career via our in-house training and development program.

Life assurance scheme that pays up to 2 times annual salary.

Health Cash Plan through Simply Health.

Background:

The Out of Work Service (OOWS) is delivered in partnership between Gofal and NewLink Wales; across the Cardiff and Vale and Cwm Taf Health Board areas providing individualised mentoring and support for people who have been affected by Substance Misuse and/or Mental Health issues. We are now pleased to have extended this partnership to Drugaid who are supporting the extension of this service to those aged 16 -24. Gofal will be employing the Cardiff and Vale team, with Drugaid employing the Cwm Taf team. All employees will be line managed by Gofals existing Out of Work Service leadership team.

The OOWS complements and enhances existing treatment, support and care services, through the provision of additional mentoring support; that focusses on helping people to move on and thrive through inspiring self-confidence, nurturing self-reliance, developing new skills, acquiring qualifications and ultimately achieving economic independence through paid employment.

The Young Persons Mentor will be responsible for engaging and maintaining a caseload of young people 16-24 years, who are seeking education, training or employment, into the Out Of Work Service undertaking one-to-one mentoring and group support as required to remove barriers and facilitate progress into training, education and employment.

The scheme has been supported by the European Social Fund through the Welsh Government.

Job Purpose:

Provide individualised mentoring support to people aged between 16 - 24 affected by mental health and/or substance misuse problems, to enable and advance the achievement of skills development, qualifications, volunteering and employment.

Main Responsibilities:

• Facilitate engagement of young people 16-24 years who are NEET onto a range of in-house and external programmes aimed at the advancement of Employment, Education and Training. This shall include working closely and developing excellent working relationships with community, statutory and voluntary organisations within the area.
• Undertake assessments of barriers to employment, education and training that uncovers existing achievements, skills and strengths, interests and goals as well as barriers.
• Develop and implement individual action plans to overcome barriers: outlining strength based goals and actions to achieve outcomes, with referral to, and liaison with specialist community, statutory and voluntary provisions where required to assist the individual in overcoming identified barriers.
• Monitor and track individual progress, providing up to date information in line with ESF requirements.
• Provide transitional ‘Soft Landing’ support for participants who enter into employment or other structured activity after leaving the OOWS service.
• Support the Single Point of contact as required.

Team Working

• To seek advice and support from Line Manager as necessary in delivery of support.
• To assist in the development of a volunteer programme.
• To liaise with other agencies with and on behalf of beneficiaries as part of planned support.
• To attend and participate in team meeting.
• To attend and participate in local community events to promote the service.
• To support and assist the other members of the OOWS team

Administrative Requirements

• To keep accurate notes of all support provided in line with organisational and ESF requirements.
• To ensure all information is kept up to date and accurate.
• To ensure all relevant information is shared with colleagues.
• To ensure all project communication methods are used appropriate and effectively.
• To ensure that IT systems are used effectively and in line with organisational procedures – e.g. Use of e-mail and database systems

Organisation Expectations

To carry out all duties in a manner that reflect Gofal Aspirations and the Values of Drugaid

Gofal Aspirations

• Work with integrity and dignity.
• Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations
• Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference.
• Communicate honestly and openly.
• Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined.
• Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering.
• Be respected for our knowledge and expertise.

Drugaid Values

We employ passionate and motivated team-players who share our organisational values. We want our staff to ‘live’ our Values and Behaviours as they are at the heart of everything that we do.

Drugaid Values:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Equality
• Positive attitude
• Empathy
• Trust
• Family

Person Specification: Young Persons Mentor

Applicants will be required to demonstrate evidence of competency at levels 1 & 2; please refer to the Competency Framework.

Competency Framework

Gofal aspires to: Work with integrity and dignity

Level 1: Demonstrate integrity and dignity in all interactions with others

• Maintain appropriate personal boundaries in all interactions with service users, colleagues and external contacts
• Express opinions genuinely and honestly, while being mindful of the impact on others
• Take responsibility for reflecting on own behaviours
• Maintain confidentiality and be trustworthy in relationships with service users and colleagues
• Bring to the attention of line managers, any situations where standards of integrity or dignity are believed to have been breached.
• Make every effort to deliver on commitments made.

Level 2: Role Model behaviours of integrity and dignity to other team members

• Give feedback to colleagues where behaviours are noticed which do not demonstrate integrity or dignity
• Help others to understand their responsibilities to act with integrity and dignity
• Actively seek feedback to understand own personal impact on others, and use personal insights.

Gofal aspires to: Inspire and support people to exceed their expectations

Level 1: Support colleagues to deliver at their best

• Role model positive and constructive behaviours to service users and colleagues
• Share knowledge, skills and learning to help others to be at their best.
• Work in a way that supports and promotes the wellbeing of others.
• Participate openly and constructively in team meetings
• Work co-operatively with others, supporting colleagues to deliver their best to service users
• Actively engage in own supervision and appraisal, preparing and participating fully
• Maintain high quality standards in file and record keeping
• Notice and acknowledge great contribution from others

Level 2: Support the team to deliver at its best

• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to change
• Support colleagues in managing the emotional impact of their work
• Actively seek out information to share, which will help the team in its work
• Take a role in mentoring team members who need help or support
• Actively suggest ideas for improvement for the team
• Bring the great contribution of colleagues to the attention of others

Gofal aspires to: Develop a culture that is embracing and respectful of difference

Level 1: Demonstrate respect of difference in all interaction with others

• Have a reputation for being a great listener
• Demonstrate a commitment to the value of equality and respect for diversity
• Show an awareness of the different needs of people from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences
• Seek to understand the perspective of service users through genuine interest and questioning
• Demonstrate an open mind with people who may have a different viewpoint.
• Use language which is positive and non-judgmental towards others

Level 2: Role model behaviours underpinned by respect of difference

• Give support to others where they may be finding it difficult to deal with issues of equality or difference
• Share experiences and knowledge which can help others embrace difference in their work and lives, and take every opportunity to learn more about equality issues
• Challenge behaviour which does not demonstrate a respect of difference
• Work to resolve conflict where it is observed

Gofal aspires to: Communicate honestly and openly

Level 1: Communicate in a clear and concise way

• See communication as a two way process, actively seeking out communication, as well as actively listening to the message delivered.
• Use a communication style which is appropriate to the listener
• Use words appropriately, communicating in language which matches the organisation’s values.
• Using observation, be able to judge the listener’s response and adapt communication accordingly.
• Use written and IT based communication to explain key points clearly and effectively, and in appropriate detail.
• Role model honesty and openness in communication with others, using genuine care in the delivery of messages and challenging colleagues to do the same.

Level 2: Adapt communication to the audience

• Think in advance about the most effective way to deliver the message, and adapt communication accordingly.
• Simplify complex messages where necessary, so that others can understand key points.
• Use a variety of communication methods with confidence, and understand where each is most effective.
• Represent the organisation externally, and be able to speak confidently about its work.
• Deliver difficult messages with honesty and compassion.

Gofal aspires to: Be an organisation that is ambitious, creative and determined

Level 1: Work with a flexible and adaptable approach to achieve agreed outcomes.

• Bring energy, passion and excitement into all your work
• Demonstrate dedication and commitment to the team objectives
• Have a commitment to ‘never giving up on a person’, even when they are challenging to you
• Use available time to achieve the best possible outcomes, and be flexible where priorities change
• Stay enthusiastic and remain positive through setbacks
• Work with colleagues and service users to come up with creative solutions
• Face change with a positive and constructive approach
• Ask for help and support where it is needed to ensure own wellbeing
• Use mistakes as a way to learn for the future

Level 2: Identify the best outcomes, solve problems and overcome barriers to achievement.

• Actively try out different approaches to tackling problems
• Generously share ideas for service improvement and better ways of working
• Build an outcome focus into all aspects of work
• Support service users and colleagues in positive risk taking, allowing them to overcome barriers and achieve the best outcomes
• Help colleagues to deal with changes they may be facing in a way which is right for them
• Demonstrate resilience when facing challenges, seeking and using the support which you need

Gofal aspires to: Create environments that are collaborative, supportive and empowering