Dear Applicant,

Thank you for enquiring about the post of Project Support Assistant as part of the Supported Volunteering Team with Northumberland CVA. The post offers an opportunity to be part of a new team, to make a difference in helping support people who are unemployed to move closer to the labour market.

This document offers information on the following points:

  • Working for Northumberland CVA
  • Overview of the Bridge Project
  • Job descriptions and applications
  • Equal Opportunities Monitoring
  • Electronic applications
  • Shortlisting
  • Recruitment Timeline

Working for NorthumberlandCVA

Northumberland CVA is a registered charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee. We work with and support the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector across Northumberland, facilitating the development of the sector through the VCS Assembly and delivering a number of support services to make the sector stronger and more resilient.,

We do this by providing a range of services and activities:

  • Producing and disseminating information on developments taking place locally, regionally or nationally through a number of effective communications, including our well developed web page, e-bulletin and various networks and forums throughout Northumberland
  • Providing capacity building opportunities through training, 1:1 support, funding advice, governance support, trustee network and numerous local events held throughout the year
  • Providing a voice for the sector at both strategic and local level
  • Gathering and collating sector perspectives through the VCS Assembly to inform developments
  • Signposting to information and resources

All our work is underpinned by our ethos and values.

As a member of the Northumberland CVA staff team you will be working alongside committed, knowledgeable and respected colleagues who have years of experience working with our beneficiary group We expect staff to work efficiently and effectively in their role and operate with a 'can do' attitude that focuses on solutions. In return you will be part of an organisationthat values staff and provides a comprehensive induction as well as high levels of support and supervision.

If you are interested in working at Northumberland CVA as part of the Bridge Project, please complete the application form – payingparticular attention to the closing date. As we are an equal opportunity employer, your application form alone will inform our short-listing decisions.

Northumberland CVA is committed to taking positive and proactive steps to ensure that we provide a safe and caring environment, free from discrimination, for everyone in our community. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

The post will be subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

N.B.:Please note that applications by CV will not be considered

Overview of the Bridge Project

What is the Bridge Project?

The Bridge Project model is designed to support people to move towards and into employment, while acknowledging that many will have support needs outside the arena of traditional employability support. The Bridge model will address this as part of our holistic approach to delivering a work readiness programme.

Bridge is a partnership between Northumberland County Council (NCC) and six local voluntary organisations. It has been created to deliver an employability support project aimed at helping to move individuals who are furthest from the labour market closer to employment. For some people, this will mean securing paid employment or work experience via volunteering, for others accessing training, improving skills, increasing confidence and overcoming what often are experienced as significant barriers to accessing employment, training, or other support services.

Bridge will be one of several projects across the country that (subject to successful funding) will be resourced by BIG Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund (ESF) as part of the Building Better Opportunities Programme, and that will invest in local projects to tackle the root causes of poverty, promote social inclusion and drive local jobs and growth.

This will be a new employability and support project in Northumberland. The Supported Volunteering element of this projectis an intervention that will support beneficiaries to enable them to undertake volunteering with the support of a “buddy” until they are able to move into volunteering independently.

Who is the Bridge Project aimed at?

Bridge will support people who are furthest from the jobs market,who experience multiple disadvantages, and are often socially excluded. We know that many people face a wide range of barriers that prevent them from finding work. Forexample:caring responsibilities, experience of domestic abuse, significant debt and hardship, complex health needs, fluctuating health conditions and drug and alcohol issues. Many of the target group for the Bridge Project will have low self-esteem and aspirations. However it is important that, even though we know many people will have common traits and experiences, we do not treat people as a homogenous group. They need personalised, holistic support.

It is essential that everyone working to deliver the project’s outcomes has some experience of working with or an understanding of these issues, can work in a non-judgmental way, is committed to working in empowering ways, values diversity and the dignity of all people and is personally resilient.

Who is part of the Bridge Project Partnership?

The lead partner of the project is Northumberland County Council, who has overall lead for all elements of the project. NCC is supported by the Strategic Operational Lead, VoiCeSNorthumberland, who is responsible forthe work of the Bridge Team, communications, quality, engagement, and safeguarding.

The Bridge Partners are: Blyth Resource and Information Centre (BRIC), Cygnus Support (formerly WHAC), ESCAPE Family Support, Citizens Advice Northumberland, and Northumberland CVA. They are all VCS organisations with considerable expertise and understanding of this target group and the barriers they face. They also have expertise in the four key pillars of bridge intervention work: health, multiple barriers, financial inclusion and digital inclusion.

How will it work?

The size and often rural nature of Northumberland means that the Bridge project is designed to support people in their own communities; it is a person-centred model, as illustrated by the process overview

People taking part in the project will be drawn from across the whole of Northumberland. They will be introduced into the project by our Bridge Partners and a wide network of partners external to the project. Everyone who comes into the Bridge Project will have a designated Bridge Worker who will carry out a needs assessment and produce a bespoke action plan with each individual. Over time we will develop a long-term trusted relationship through a persistent, assertive and supportive approach. There will be ten Bridge Workers based with local Bridge partner organisations. In addition, two Specialist Bridge Workers will cover the county providing additional support when required and focusing on supporting people with specific additional needs. The Bridge Workers and Specialist Bridge Workers will co-ordinate support and provide practical assistance, mentoring and advice. They will link in with other external agencies providing specialist support that will help people to achieve their personal goals. The Bridge workforce will continue to support individuals for as long as it takes. Support will be delivered through a range of options, with some elements being delivered by Bridge partners and others through referrals to specialist delivery drawn from our trusted partners network, based on the individual needs of each person.

Job Descriptions & Applications

All applicants are required to complete the Standard Application Form. CVs are not accepted. The information you give us in your Application Form is the only information we will use to decide whether or not we short list you for an interview.

Equal Opportunities Monitoring

Please complete the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form included as part of the Application Pack. This helps us to measure the effectiveness of our Equal Opportunities Policy. Members of the shortlisting and interview panel will not see the monitoring forms.

Electronic application forms

We require all applications to be completed electronically. The boxes on the application form will expand to let you provide the information required. We want you to be able to provide comprehensive information. However this needs to be set out clearly and concisely and so there may be a word limit count for some sections whereas for others the box will be pre-set to limit your response.

You should address each of the essential requirements as listed in the Person Specification. You may find it helpful to address each requirement in order, with a short paragraph for each. It’s really important that you give examples because they provide clear evidence that you’ve got a skill and know how to apply it in real situations.

Short Listing

If you haven’t heard from us by the interview date you can assume that you have not been selected for interview on this occasion.

Recruitment Timeline

Closing Date for applications:6th March 2017

If you have not heard by Monday 13th March your application was not shortlisted for interview.

Please return completed application forms electronically by 6th March 2017.

Late applications and CV’s will not be considered.

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