Role / Youth Advice and Advocacy Worker
Proficient salary: / Up to £21,500 including London Allowance
Reporting to: / Executive Director
Role purpose: /
- To listen to young people and respond to their needs by providing holistic support. This is achieved by:
- providing accurate, accessible and relevant information through practical support and services
- high quality advice and advocacy - supporting and empowering young people
- personal support or befriending that enables young people to develop life skills
- offering a listening ear and confidential support.
Key accountabilities / Key elements/Tasks
Working with clients /
- Signpost and support clients into other services and opportunities and where appropriate make referrals to relevant professionals and organisations
- Give unbiased rights based advice to young people in key areas including education, employment, welfare, housing, disability rights, mental and physical health
- Provide representation in formal proceedings such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, Referral Order contracts, and acting as an Appropriate Adult at the police station.
- Maintain clear, and appropriate communication with JfK Law clients and other agencies including written correspondence
- Meditate for a young person by making agreed contact with others on their behalf
- Attend meetings with other professionals and organisations to ensure the concerns of clients are represented
- Research information and problem solving to support individual cases
- Mentor and support clients to ensure they are given positive and productive assistance and co-ordinate and working with the Director oversee the work of external mentors
- Working with colleagues create and support training and volunteering placements for young people
- Be prepared to undertake extensive travel around London and work evenings or weekends where appropriate
- Undertake learning opportunities and training to continuously grow in the role
- Be prepared to visit client in their homes and interview them in office premises or other locations as appropriate.
Partnership and creating opportunities /
- Remain aware of the opportunities available to young people by developing and maintaining networks and contacts with a range of organisations
- Manage a access data base of London based opportunities for young people
- Keep up to date with relevant legislation and policies.
Reporting and evaluation /
- Provide weekly case updates to line manager and prioritize and manage cases in line with quality standards
- Produce quarterly reports
- Maintain accurate case records and monitor and evaluate the service including outcomes based monitoring.
Team working /
- Attend and participate in team meetings and other events including fundraising and training days
- Maintain effective liaison with colleagues working across JfK Law.
General /
- Working with young people is often unpredictable and the role of Youth Advice and Advocate Worker needs to be prepared to undertake any other duties as may be reasonably required within the scope of the role
/ Person Specification
Knowledge /
- Working knowledge of young people’s rights and responsibilities and entitlements and be able to effectively champion them
- Knowledge of services available for young people
- Knowledge of the rights and entitlements of young people
- Understanding of the principles and practice of advocacy.
Skills and abilities /
- Excellent verbal communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to provide a person-centred holistic style to advice, advocacy, interviews and casework
- Good written, verbal and communication skills
- Skills in assessing the needs of young people
- Ability to advocate on behalf of others
- Skills in helping young people to advocate for themselves
- Skills in providing information, advice and assistance
- Ability to plan, record and organise work to clear targets
- Ability to create effective links with professionals in all relevant sectors
- Ability to represent JfK Law and the project at meetings and conferences.
Experience /
- A minimum of two years experience of providing information and advice, advocacy or legal assistance to young people. A minimum of one year experience of case work and assessing clients.
- Desirable but not essential to have youth work or social work background.
- Experience in using Microsoft Office, email and the internet.
Qualifications and training /
- Training relevant to the post i.e. training/courses in negotiation skill. How to advocate on someone’s behalf etc.
Qualities /
- Respect young people and champion effectively for their rights
- Energetic, self motivated and organised individual who is prepared to throw themselves into and invest in this young and vibrant organisation
- Creative and enthusiastic thinker that is prepared to look for solutions and opportunities that will enhance the prospects and opportunities for young people
- Enjoy working with young people from diverse backgrounds.
Physical requirements /
- Able to visit clients at home and travel around London.
Equality and Diversity /
- Commitment to incorporating Equality and Diversity principles in all aspects of work.
Other requirements /
- A willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends.