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Job description

To assist young people to gain relevant education, experience and qualifications to finish their mainstream education in an Alternative Education Setting in line with EANI Service Level Agreement and DE EOTAS Guidance (Sept 2014). The Pathways Project delivers a full-time Alternative Education Provision (AEP) to young people in Year 11 and Year 12 in the Belfast Region. Your role will be to effectively re-engage service users in the learning process within a strong pastoral care environment. You will be required to lead and deliver on the personal and social development aspects of the curriculum at both an accredited and non-accredited level, including the design deliver and internal moderation of The Prince’s Trust PDE programme up to diploma level.

Responsibilities

• Carry out initial assessment of service user including individual and group dynamic risk assessments Development of appropriate service user plans e.g. support plan, Boxall Profile assessment, care plans and outcome star.
• Liaise with the Project Manager and link schools in relation to the assessment of service user needs for referrals to external agencies and make appropriate referrals when required e.g. Counselling, CAMHS, DAMHS, Daisy, etc.
• Case management of identified service users. Facilitate and participate in individual work with service users.
• Promote and encourage independence and assist and encourage service users to develop life skills Accompany service users to meetings and appointments as and when required Facilitate vocational learning and work experience.
• Development of service users risk assessments and continually review and amend as and when required. Follow necessary risk management and H & S requirements
• To facilitate activities in line with Extern’s approved centre list. Ensure appropriate use of all physical resources provided, including safe storage and access by approved personnel only.
• Ensure adherence to Externs covid-19 guidance and PHA public guidance. Attend and actively participate in multi-agency risk assessment meetings Adhere to safeguarding procedures and relevant external standards.
• To adopt a multi-agency and multi-disciplinary approach when working with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Attend and positively participate in internal and external meetings as required and act as advocate for each service user when appropriate e.g. team meetings, multidisciplinary meetings etc.
• Develop and maintain appropriate professional relationships with services users, Colleagues and stakeholders. Represent Extern professionally through a variety of communication mediums, e.g. Emails, telephone contact, meetings and presentations.
• Adopt a solution focussed approach within Team meetings and through team engagement in order to identify and remove barriers for best practice and team cohesion.
• Develop and maintain appropriate professional relationships with Services Users, colleagues and stakeholders. Liaise with parents/carers and appropriate relatives.
• Ensure compliance with necessary organisational and commissioner recording requirements e.g. information management systems, service user files, case notes. Complete individual reports in a timely manner and at an acceptable standard
• Ensure data protection legislation is adhered to and that service user rights to confidentiality are protected, including securing confidential information.
• Complete individual reports in a timely manner at an acceptable standard Operate SIMS system through C2K Programme
• In conjunction with senior staff, assist in the supervision, management and training of new staff, bank staff and volunteers
• Engage fully in the Extern supervision process for professional development, case management and professional support. Ensure that you are receiving adequate supervision in line with the Morrison model.
• Responsible for keeping updated on Extern’s policies and procedures. Attend all core training, in line with Extern requirements (e.g. TCI & First Aid) and ensure all mandatory training is kept up to date in line with organisational Learning.
• Identify and discuss professional training needs and training programmes with line manager, in order to maximise your own potential.
• Utilise other forms of self-directed learning to maximise professional learning (e.g. research articles, shadowing opportunities).
• Adhere to Extern’s health & safety policies and procedures e.g. Lone Working Policy, Transport Policy. Act as a key holder for any buildings and secure the buildings as appropriate.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Minimum of NVQ Level 3 or equivalent (eg; Higher Education Certificate, BTEC, etc) in a relevant field. For example, Youth Work, Social Care, Sociology, Psychology or combined Social & Behavioural Sciences etc.
• 6 months' substantial experience of working in a social care setting dealing with challenging behaviours with young people aged 12-17 years old.
• In the absence of the qualification requirement, 2 years' recent/ relevant experience of working in a social care setting dealing with challenging behaviours with young people aged 12-17 years old.
• IT competent, including use of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Be registered or willing to register with NISCC prior to commencement of employment (you will be required to provide evidence of NISCC registration).
• Full UK driving licence and access to a car with business insurance

Further Information

Location: Unit 5, Nelson Trade Centre, Nelson Street, Belfast