Westinghouse

34 Marshfield Road

Chippenham

Wiltshire SN15 1JT

Tel: 01249 467 116

Fax: 01249 445 497

26th August 2015

Dear Applicant

Post: Pathways Support Officer

Thank you for your interest in the above position. Please find enclosed an application form, job description, person specification and job advertisement, as requested.

Please note, the application form needs to be completed and returned to us by the closing date which is 12.00 noon onWednesday 9th September 2015in order to be considered for this vacancy. Please be aware that we do not advise candidates if they havenot been shortlisted, so if you have not heard back from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Interview date to be confirmed.

For further information about these posts, please contact Georgina Knight on 07554778414.

You will see that the application form comes in two parts. Part One includes a separate section entitledEqual Opportunities Monitoring Form; please complete this section and return. We are happy to receive this information via e-mail and this section (along with the rest of the information provided in Part One of the application form) will be removed for shortlisting purposes.

Please return your completed application to

Yours faithfully

G.Kelly

Gemma Kelly

HR Officer

Information for Applicant

Appointment

If an offer of employment is made, it will be subject to satisfactory references, medical clearance, plus Disclosure and Barring Service and Non Police Personnel Vetting checks, if applicable.

Salary

The post falls within Band 3£22,039.00 - £27,373.00 per annum. All appointments will normallybe made at the bottom of the pay range (unless you are currently employed by a CRC, at the same band, in which case your current salary will be matched). Progression through the pay range will be by annual increments subject to satisfactory performance.

Payment is made monthly by credit transfer on the 25thof the month.

Hours of Work

The post is 37 hours per week which for some roles may include weekend/evening/bank holiday working, as and when necessary, for the performance of the duties of the post.

Annual Leave Entitlement

Your annual leave entitlement is outlined below. Continuous service will be as at 1st April each year.

Length of Continuous Service / Annual Leave Entitlement / Additional Service
Days
On appointment / 25 / 2
1 year plus / 26 / 2
2 years’ plus / 27 / 2
3 years’ plus / 28 / 2
4 years’ plus / 29 / 2
5 years’ plus / 30 / 2
7 years’ plus / 30 / 3

This is in addition to all annual Public Holidays.Annual leave and Public Holidays are calculated on a pro rata basis and in hours for part-time employees.

The holiday year runs from 1st April to 31st March. If you are joining mid year you willbe advised of your pro rata entitlement in writing.

Notice

The appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period, though this may be extended if more time is needed to assess suitability for employment. During the probation period the CRC will provide you with 1 week’s notice. The minimum period of notice you are required to give shall be not less than 1 month’s notice in writing.

Once confirmed in post the minimum notice period both you and the CRC are required to give is not less than 1 month.

Health and Safety

All staff are expected to observe the Health and Safety at Work Regulations, as set out by the company,in accordance with statutory requirements.

Contract

All offers of employment are subject to a requirement to sign the BGSW CRC contract of employment.

Equal Opportunities

The company provides equality of opportunity, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation of its employees and welcomes applications from under–represented groups.

The purpose of this information is solely to provide prospective employees with details relating to the post. It may not be construed as an offer of employment, nor does it form part of the contract of employment or the job description.

All information provided in this document may be subject to amendment.

Pathways Support OfficerVACANCY

Job Title / Pathways Support Officer
Location / Swindon
Terms / Fixed Term (12 months)
Hours / Full Time (37 hours per week)
SalaryRange / £22,039.00 - £27,373.00 per annum
Band / 3
Closing Date / Wednesday 9th September 2015 12.00 noon
Interview Date / To Be Confirmed

We are looking for a highly motivated Pathways Support Officer to join the Integrated Offender Management Team (SWITCH ) in Swindon. The post will be for a fixed term period of 12 months and will require you to work alongside a multi-agency team of police and probation. You will also be required to provide an outreach service to service users via our Community Hubs, working alongside other agencies.

The cohort of offenders will include:

  • IOM offenders who are at the highest risk of re-offending (but not high risk of harm),
  • Offenders from other offender management teams
  • voluntary offenders whose Order/Licence has expired but still have a need
  • young persons transferring from YOT who are due to turn 18
  • They will have an identified drug / alcohol / housing /education /finance debt need.
  • Resettlement cases

Specific purposes of the post are:

  • Work alongside the Pathways Development Officer for the purposes of identifying gaps in resource
  • Provide an ongoing support to service users to facilitate personal development and ensure that individuals are able to gain and sustain employment, appropriate accommodation and access help regarding money matters
  • provide on going support to service users to facilitate personal development and ensure that individuals are able to gain and sustain employment, appropriate accommodation and access help regarding money matters .
  • Deliver an outreach service to offenders via Community Hubs
  • To continuously develop quality pathway support around ETE, accommodation and Money support.
  • To develop provision of and access to vocational training for service users within BGSW CRC
  • To establish and maintain links with partner organisations to increase offender access to appropriate and good quality ETE, accommodation and help with budgeting and personal money matters.
  • To engage and maintain contact with employers and partner organisations to promote anti-discriminatory practice and facilitate the employment and accommodation of offenders.

You will be experienced in using a number of IT systems and be willing to undertake training as identified. A high degree of confidentiality is required.

Applicants will require an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) as well as required a Level 1 Non Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) check.

For further information about these posts, please contact Georgina Knight on 07554778414.

If you would like to apply:

Please email your application form to

Please be aware that we do not advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted so, if you have not heard back from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.

Closing Date for Applications: Wednesday 9th September 2015 at 12.00 noon.

Interview Date: To Be Confirmed

Prepared: 1st April 2015

Job Description

Job Title:Pathways Support Officer

Salary Band:NNC 3

Reports to: IOM Manager

Job Location:Swindon

Main Purpose:The postholder will be expected to promote the vision of BGSW CRC, to adhere to the values of the organisation and to support the objectives and strategies set out within the Business Plan and the One Swindon Five Wards initiative.

Specifically the purposes of the post are:

  • To provide on going support to offenders to facilitate personal development and ensure that individuals are able to gain and sustain employment, appropriate accommodation and access help regarding money matters .
  • Deliver an outreach service to offenders via Community Hubs
  • To continuously develop quality pathway support around ETE, accommodation and Money support.
  • To develop provision of and access to vocational training for offenders within BGSW CRC
  • To establish and maintain links with partner organisations to increase offender access to appropriate and good quality ETE, accommodation and help with budgeting and personal money matters.
  • To engage and maintain contact with employers and partner organisations to promote anti-discriminatory practice and facilitate the employment and accommodation of offenders.

Range of

Responsibilities:

General Responsibilities

  • Support a caseload of offenders on a day to day basis
  • Respond to referrals promptly and work with ETE Team and Offender Managers/Case Administrators to arrange appointments.
  • Maintain and monitor pathway records for each offender
  • Work with the ETE Co-ordinator, Project Co-ordinator and external partners to identify suitable training provision
  • Complete individual action plans with offenders to ensure that these are capable of being implemented
  • Regularly monitor and review offender progress and revise action points as appropriate
  • Work positively with offenders to build self confidence, increased motivation and self-reliance
  • Promote and encourage service user take up of volunteer mentor support
  • Identify and work to overcome barriers to employment, housing and money management
  • Advise offenders on disclosure
  • Contribute to reports on the work of BGSW CRC and ensure that these are submitted in accordance with deadlines
  • Work with Offender Managers and ETE colleagues to ensure appropriate risk assessment is always available and used
  • Work effectively with partner agencies to achieve positive service user impact
  • Attend 5 Wards, external and partner meetings as required
  • Encourage service users to take advantage of support available

Housing

Working with the Pathways Development Officer: Provide direct/indirect/signposting offender support and information around:

  • Housing Benefit/Universal Credit applications/queries
  • Engage with local housing providers and Third Sector Organisations (TSO’s) providing housing advice, support and access to temporary accommodation in short stay hostels and approved premises
  • Finding accommodation
  • Sustaining accommodation
  • Evictions/illegal evictions
  • Signposting to other sources of support e.g. Deposit Guarantee/Specialist Housing Bond schemes, crisis/homelessness, floating housing support etc

Other housing related matters:

  • Identify and work to try and overcome barriers to accommodation

Employment, Training and Education (ETE)

Working in conjunction with the ETE Co-ordinator:

  • Deliver initial Steps to Work induction sessions for offenders
  • Ensure that all ETE information is passed to the SWITCH CA for data entry
  • Refer to and encourage attendance at skills for life provision.
  • Undertake risk assessments and provide disclosure advice for those referrals not supervised by BGSW CRC.
  • Promote Job Shop support to offenders to encourage job search, identification of suitable vacancies and increased employability skills.
  • Work with Pathways Administrators to ensure that information in the ETE resource centres is maintained and updated
  • Encourage take up of volunteering and other positive meaningful activities
  • Encourage self-employment and work with partner agencies to explore and progress support and finance

Money Management

  • Support service users to improved budgeting and money skills to enable them to work to manage their own accommodation agreements and personal finances
  • Signpost/provide additional help as required to access debt counselling
  • Identify and work to try and overcome money related barriers/problems for offenders
  • Engage with appropriate Money agencies, credit unions, private and third sector partners to encourage money management and other supportfor offenders

Performance Management

  • Maintain performance records to enable timely and effective reporting to the One Swindon Five Wards Board
  • Deliver information, advice and guidance to offenders in line with National Careers Service contract
  • Work collaboratively with ETE colleagues to achieve project targets and maximise outcomes for offenders

Quality assurance

  • Contribute to the development of SWITCH and BGSW CRC policies and procedures to ensure continuous improvement
  • Contribute towards quality assessment of skills action plans and on-going programme of peer observations
  • Support offenders to complete evaluation questionnaires

General

  • Promote equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice
  • Comply with BGSW CRC policies and procedures
  • Maintain client confidentiality
  • Promote and support individual rights and choice within service delivery
  • Support and influence individuals through effective communication
  • Contribute to maintaining the safety and security of the environment
  • Maintain personal standards of health, safety and security
  • Agree own work objectives in consultation with ETE and Project Co-ordinator
  • Contribute to problem solving and decision making
  • Develop own knowledge and practice
  • Contribute to the development of effective team work
  • Develop networks to promote the work of BGSW CRC to external agencies

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

KA1PROMOTE EQUALITY FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS

KA2CONTRIBUTE TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY OF INDIVIDUALS

KA3 PLAN OWN WORK ACTIVITIES

KA4PROMOTE THE WORK OF THE ORGANISATION

KA5COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS TO BROADEN AND MAINTAIN SERVICES

KA6DAY-TO-DAY PROVISION OF RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

KA7MAINTAIN AND MONITOR RECORDS

KA8MAINTAIN RECORDS REQUIRED BY THE ORGANISATION

KA9 CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE WHOLE SERVICE AS A LEARNING ORGANISATION

NB.Relevant competences from the Community Justice Standards to be listed. – see next page

COMPETENCES:

These are taken from the Criminal Justice Standards

C01 / Assist in the assessment of individuals behaviour and planning
D01 / Help individuals to address their offending behaviour
D05 / Support and advise offenders
D06 / Support individuals experiencing difficulties
D10 / Enable individuals to find out about and use services and facilities
E02 / Assist in the transfer of individuals between agencies and services
E05 / Contribute to the development and effectiveness of work teams
E13 / Maintain activities to meet requirements
02 / Promote peoples equality, diversity and rights

NOTE:

This job description is intended as a general guide to the duties attached to the post and is not an inflexible specification. It may therefore be altered from time to time to reflect the changing needs of the department, always in consultation with the post holder. Other duties that may be requested from time to time which are not in the job description but which reflect the nature and level of the position.

Person Specification

Pathways Support Officer

For effective performance of the duties of the post, the post holder will have, as a minimum, the skills and knowledge detailed in the essential criteria.

Attributes / Essential Criteria / Desirable Criteria
Knowledge, skills and experience / Previous recent experience of :
  • An understanding of the challenges faced by people with offender backgrounds and substance misuse problems
  • Direct client work within training / employability provision environment
  • Client work within housing provision environment
  • Client work within money management provision environment
  • Identifying and overcoming barriers to employment/housing
  • Supporting a caseload and ensuring individual needs are addressed
  • Delivery of advice and guidance to clients and developing action plans
  • Able to work collaboratively with partner organisations
Knowledge of:
  • Interview techniques and role boundaries
  • Local labour market
  • Local training provision
/ Previous recent experience of one or more of the following:
  • Working with long term unemployed clients
  • Working with adults from disadvantaged/priority groups
  • Working with offenders
Basic knowledge of:
  • Offender rehabilitation
  • Basic understanding of the work of BGSW CRC in reducing crime and protecting the public
  • Basic understanding of the pathways to reduce re-offending

Qualifications and training /
  • Minimum of 5 GCSE’s (or equivalent) to include Maths and English at Grade C or above
  • NVQ Level 4 in Advice and Guidance or evidence of working towards
/
  • GCSE ‘A’ level or equivalent
  • NVQ Level 4 in Advice and guidance or evidence of working towards
  • PTLLS qualification

Abilities and aptitudes /
  • Interviewing skills
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships
  • Good organisational, administrative and record keeping skills
  • The ability to organise and prioritise workload in conjunction with other team members
  • Ability to manage self and take responsibility for own learning
  • Ability to work confidentially
  • Competent IT skills
/
  • Established presentation skills
  • Reflective practitioner
  • Commitment to own personal development
  • Commitment to continuous quality improvement

Disposition, attitude and motivation /
  • Customer focused
  • Self motivated, hard worker
  • Enthusiastic
  • Able to work effectively within multi-functional team
  • Ability to work on own initiative
  • Ability to work under pressure and to strict timescales
  • Commitment to anti-discrimination, diversity and equal opportunities
/
  • Able to motivate others and build self confidence
  • Adaptable
  • Flexible
  • Responsive to individual needs

Job circumstances /
  • Flexible-working
  • 37 hours a week - full time
  • Full driving licence and use of own vehicle
  • Willingness and ability to travel within Wiltshire with occasional travel outside Wiltshire as required