Youth Development Worker

Rochdale Connections Trust; Rochdale; Hybrid; GBP 216,000 - 309,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Nest pension 3% employer contribution

Job summary

Rochdale Connections Trust is seeking a part‑time Youth Development worker to support children and young people who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse. You will manage a caseload, conduct initial assessments, and produce reports while keeping records up to date in our database.

The role involves emotional and practical support, both one‑to‑one and in group settings, to boost self‑worth and resilience.

Qualifications

• Experience of effectively managing own workload.
• Experience of working with children and young people or families.
• Experience of liaising with schools, social workers and other professionals from a range of agencies.
• Experience in the Domestic Abuse field.

Responsibilities

• Deliver one to one and group sessions with young people.
• Assist in after‑school activities and youth group work.
• Provide direct domestic abuse and trauma‑informed support to young people.
• Support recruitment, induction and training of volunteers.
• Coordinate and supervise volunteers and the pairing process with young people.
• Maintain clear records and ensure accurate assessments and reviews.

Skills

Youth engagement

Trauma-informed

Case management

Communication

Teamwork

Administration

Job description

Length of contract

Maternity cover for 9 months with the possibility for extension

Hours

Part-time (14 hours per week). We expect flexible working hours to meet the needs of the role.

Location

This role is flexible and may include community and office-based working.

Pension

All staff are enrolled with Nest and RCT pays a 3% employer contribution

Training and well-being

We prioritise training and staff are encouraged to develop their skills and engage in a range of internal and externally provided training throughout the year

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE JOB

Working under the direction of the Lead Project Worker the successful candidate will be required to operate as part-time Youth Development worker for children and young people who have witnessed and/or experienced domestic abuse in their homes. You must be personable, enthusiastic, and able to engage with a range of people from different backgrounds.

You will have a case load of young people, providing direct domestic abuse trauma informed support in schools and out in the community. You will be required to conduct initial assessments with beneficiaries, using assessment tools to assess, track and evaluate the support offered to young people. This includes producing reports throughout the project and collating data to show effectiveness. You will be responsible for the completion of relevant paperwork and keeping up to date records using our database. You will also be expected to contribute to developing strong relationships with beneficiaries and their families. The role will require you to provide both emotional and practical support, working on a one-to-one basis and in a positive group setting, promoting self- worth and self-esteem and reducing self-blame. You will be expected to regularly consult with the Lead Project Worker to contribute to the development of progress reports.

The role will also include assisting the Lead Project Worker to increase the number of volunteers who will mentor young people. You will be required to support recruitment and assist with interviewing and induction of new volunteers, providing access to training and development opportunities to help them understand the complexities of working with young people 11-18 years that have experienced or lived in domestic abuse households.You will assist with coordinating and supervising volunteers and managing the pairing process with young people to ensure success. You must be well organised and possess the skills and abilities to identify suitable volunteers with the necessary skills and attributes to work with young people.

The Youth Development Programme worker will also be expected to work alongside key professionals, including domestic abuse workers, social workers, schools, counsellors and play therapists, as required, and contribute to developing relationships with other organisations and local support networks.

• Delivering one to one and group sessions.
• To assist in after-school activities (youth group)
• To provide direct domestic abuse and trauma-informed support work with young people.
• Will support the Project Lead to match mentors and mentees.
• Ensuring appropriate and effective session planning is in place.
• Effectively managing own allocated beneficiary cohort of children and young people.
• To keep clear and concise records of all participants on the programme
• To ensure initial assessments and reviews are undertaken at set times and associated paperwork is completed.
• Ensuring ongoing monitoring and evaluation is undertaken appropriately via auditing.
• The planning and delivery of holiday activities together with colleagues.
• Undertaking necessary Risk Assessments and operating within health and safety guidelines.
• Identifying parent/carer/family needs and providing appropriate interventions.
• To ensure parents (this will usually be mothers) are involved at key times and supported as necessary.
• Liaising effectively with partner agencies and appropriate promotion of the programme.
• Appropriate sharing of learning and dissemination of best practice.
• To undertake all necessary ongoing training.
• To attend regular supervision sessions.
• To abide by the RCT Equal Opportunities Policy and all Safeguarding Procedures.
• To ensure that appropriate information is shared with relevant agencies and individuals (Schools, Police, Children's Social Care, Parents).
• To consult with beneficiaries to identify areas for development and implement where practical.
• To work as directed by the line manager and carry out other duties as assigned.

Person Specification

1 - Experience

• Experience of effectively managing own workload
• Experience of working with outlook.
• Experience of working with children and young people or families
• Experience of working within the Domestic Abuse field
• Experience of liaising with schools, social workers and other professionals from a range of statutory and independent sector agencies
• Experience of working in a social care setting e.g. substance misuse, child protection, family support.

2 - Knowledge

• An understanding of project work
• An understanding of the nature of domestic violence and its effects on those involved
• An understanding of the range of the impact witnessing/experiencing domestic abuse has on children and young people
• An understanding of and commitment to working in ways which prioritise the safety of those affected by domestic abuse, both children and young people and their families.
• An understanding of risk factors in domestic abuse
• An understanding of the criminal and/or family court systems in relation to domestic abuse and the legal options available to those experiencing domestic abuse
• An understanding of children and young people’s safeguarding procedures

3 - Skills

• The ability to contribute to the development of a service
• The ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with a range of people, both over the telephone and in person, sometimes over sensitive and/or complex issues
• The ability to operate as part of a team
• The ability to manage your own workload and use your own initiative, obtaining clarification/guidance as required

1.Skills in the effective delivery of group work, or the ability to develop these skills

• Demonstrate an understanding of Anti-Discriminatory Practice in employment and service delivery and a commitment to implementing Anti-Discriminatory Practice in relation to job responsibilities
• Demonstrate an understanding of and a commitment to work in accordance with the Confidentiality and Equal Opportunities Policies of Rochdale Connections Trust
• Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to work in accordance with the objectives and principles of Rochdale Connections Trust
• Demonstrate a willingness to work within an organisation which works with children and young people, male perpetrators of and women who have experienced domestic violence
• Willingness and ability to work flexibly.

Other essential requirements

Full UK driving licence and use of a car.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check