We are recruiting - Youth Worker

Published: 11th Mar

Job description and personal specification

The Role

Supporting the development of a participatory young people’s programme on board and around the 1903 steam tugboat the Daniel Adamson (The Danny). You will support young people participating in cultural activities led by artists, engineering activities led by engineers, ecological activities run by ecologists, and in planning and running events. As they progress through the programme, you will work with young people to reflect on their learning and build their confidence and encourage them to progress with their education or training.

Temporary post (6 months: May – October)

Hours: 14 hours per week (2 days, based on 7 hour day)

Salary: £18,000 (pro rata)

Location: On board the Danny at Sutton Weaver (near Runcorn, WA7 3EQ), in outreach settings in Halton, working from home and on some trips with young people.

Hours of work: Wednesday afternoons – other hours to be agreed prior to signing contract

Reporting to: Learning and Participation Manager

Apply to: [email protected]

Deadline for applications: April 2^nd

Interview: April 9^th

Start date: beginning of May, by agreement on acceptance of role

How to apply: Please send a CV, together with a covering letter outlining how your training and experience meet the points outlined in the person specification. DBS and referee checks will be carried out before work commences with young people.

 

Background

The Danny is a historic steamship, saved from the scrapyard by a team of volunteers. The Danny’s volunteers finished restoring the vessel in 2016, and she is now fully operational.  She is a portal to the past, and a real source of community in the present, bringing people together from all walks of life for a variety of experiences and learning opportunities. The Danny runs activities and events for local schools, families, scouts, guides and cultural groups, and supports this by running commercial cruises, family parties and corporate events.

The team of volunteers who run the Danny (there are over 100 volunteers and 3 members of staff, 2 of whom are part time) maintain and operate the vessel and run cruises, talks, tours and other events on board. They have really valuable skills and knowledge to share, and create a supportive and friendly atmosphere around the vessel.

We have discovered that the Danny has a lot to offer that works for young people – a quirky, interesting and welcoming environment, opportunities to learn hands on skills and to try new activities. We have supportive volunteers who have an interest in passing on skills and engaging a new generation to provide them with an opportunity to have their voices heard and to shape parts of the Danny’s cultural programme.

Our elderly volunteers tell us that what matters most to them at the Danny is having a place where they belong and can have a laugh, a crew they have a shared purpose with and an opportunity to give back to their community. We believe that these experiences will be meaningful and confidence-building for young people also.

We are looking for a warm, friendly, conscientious and effective youth worker to help us engage these young people and ensure they get the most from their time with us.

Job description

1. What is the overall purpose of the role?

Supporting young people to engage and to participate, and to develop their confidence and their social, emotional and professional skills in doing so, helping them reflect on their strong points and interests and reach their full potential. Helping to ensure the Danny is a safe and supportive environment where young people learn to:

 

• treat themselves and others with kindness and respect
• discover exciting new ideas and activities they are unlikely to experience anywhere else
• laugh, learn, experiment, make mistakes and thrive
• reflect on their learning and build on their knowledge
• develop the confidence to make and follow through on plans – as individuals and as a group
• pursue their interests, express their opinions and have an impact

 

2. Key activities and responsibilities

• Communication with young people to check they are coming to sessions and have safe transport
• Supporting young people engaging with the activities
• Supporting the delivery of creative and partnership projects
• Having conversations with young people, identifying issues affecting them and how their needs can be met
• Having conversations with young people identifying their achievements through the programme and how these map onto professional skills
• Mentoring, coaching and supporting individuals, encouraging young people to develop their self-awareness, independence and individuality
• Identifying where targeted youth or mental health support is needed and supporting referrals
• Promoting aspirations and achievement, supporting young people in identifying routes into careers they are interested in
• Helping ensure that all evidence of projects are properly documented, and that work is

evaluated and reported in accordance with contractual commitments

• Keeping registers, records of attendance, feedback from young people, volunteers and others working with young people, writing evaluation reports
• Accompanying young people on Danny trips and outings
• Staying informed on legislation, local and national issues, and best practice in youth work
• Ensuring child protection procedures are followed and that the safeguarding of young

people is paramount

• Carry out all duties in accordance with the Danny’s policies on Health and Safety, Child

Protection and Data Protection, and with all other relevant legislation

• Any other duties appropriate to the post.

 

Person Specification

3. About you:

• You are friendly, cheerful, positive and self-driven, able to work independently and as part of a team
• You are a good listener, and an advocate and practitioner of reflective practice
• You are an excellent communicator, with an awareness of who needs to be kept informed of what information, and a sensitivity to appropriate communication with different audiences
• A believer in strongly supportive environments, sharing and being open with colleagues
• You have an understanding of challenges faced by young people, experience of supporting young people in challenging situations and positive expectations of young people
• You are conscientious with paperwork, ensuring best practice with young people is underpinned by the correct permissions, risk assessments, record-keeping, etc

4. Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to quickly establish positive relationships with young people and motivate them to participate in activities and events
• A youth work qualification or equivalent experience
• A strong understanding of safeguarding children and young people and how to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• A working understanding of equality and diversity with the ability to challenge discriminatory behaviour

• Experience of signposting young people to mental health, education and other support services and careers advice services

• You have experience of supporting young people to participate and develop ownership in planning of projects and events
• Understanding and appreciation of the importance of monitoring and evaluation in a youth work setting

• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Ability to prioritise effectively and enjoy multi-tasking in a busy environment

• A coaching qualification or experience of coaching desirable
• An awareness of support services for young people in the Halton area is desirable