JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: DEVELOPMENT WORKER

DEPARTMENT / SERVICE: LINK ACADEMY

This post will be based at LinkLiving’s office in Edinburgh. The service also runs in Falkirk and Fife. As part of this team, you may be required to deliver in all three areas, depending on the needs of the service.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The ‘Right Track (Navigating Positive Futures)’’ is a preventive programme which focuses on supporting young people at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system, through the provision of one-to-one and group-based support. The Development Worker will have a background in criminal justice and will support young people facing issues including youth crime, antisocial behaviour, family breakdown and school-related difficulties, to achieve their goals and aspirations, providing them with practical tools and techniques to overcome the challenges they are facing. We welcome applications from people with lived experience and professional experience.

The Development Workers will also provide support to parents and caregivers, as well as leading a team of peer education volunteers (16-24) who will use their own lived experiences of the criminal justice system to positively influence young people supported through the programme.

VALUES

The postholder will be expected to demonstrate LinkLiving’s core values of:

Empathy (listen to and understand an individual’s needs and circumstances)

Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)

Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)

Caring (show kindness and concern for others)

MAIN AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY / TASKS

Deliver both one to one support and group work to young people

Develop training for children and young people to address the issues affecting them

Act as SQA Assessor and Verifier for the delivery of accredited programmes for volunteers (training and qualifications will be provided to applicants)

Build positive relationships with children, young people, caregivers and volunteer mentors, adopting a trauma-informed approach

Provide supervisory support to individual young people and volunteers, setting realistic and achievable targets with them to enable progress against individual objectives using Dynamics (Client Management System)

Develop partnerships with other agencies and training providers to identify, develop and progress opportunities for young people

Actively include young people in the development and design of training programmes and materials

Evaluate the impact of programmes to produce comprehensive reports for funders

Be actively involved in own learning and development to ensure best practice and understanding of current issues

Liaise and promote the service with other agencies

Identify opportunities for partnership working

RELATIONSHIPS

Internal

Link Academy team

Volunteers

Colleagues, including wider LinkLiving staff and Link Group business partners

External

Young People and Families

Third Sector agencies

Social Work

Police Scotland

Criminal justice team

Schools/Colleges

Employers

Funders

Partner Agencies

SQA

Employability Networks

You will comply with the Health & Safety Policy, reporting any matters of concern to the Health and Safety Officer, Representative or line manager. You will actively promote the Equality & Diversity Policy and practice in all aspects of the job role as it relates to colleagues, tenants, service users, contractors, consultants and external agencies.

ACCOUNTABILITY

This post is accountable to:

Link Academy Team Leader

Service Manager

This post is accountable for: Young people and their families

PERSON SPECIFICATION

VALUES	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Empathy (listen to and understand an individual'sneeds and circumstances)	√
Respect (treat others the way they wish to be treated)	√
Integrity (be honest and have strong moral principles)	√
Caring (show kindness and concern for others)	√
QUALIFICATIONS	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Educated to SCQF Level 7 (HNC or equivalent) wewill accept people with lived experience that may nothold the qualifications required as training andqualifications wil be included in the role but must haveexperience working with this client group.	√
SCQF Assessor and Verifier Qualification/ LD9-LD11or willingness to work towards	√
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
A minimum of three years' experience in youth work ina professional capacity	√
Experience of working with young people in a criminaljustice setting	√
Experience of developing or fostering ideas to deliverprogrammes to young people on the currentchallenges they face.	√
Experience delivering SCQF programmes Level 3 toLevel 6 (we will provide training and qualifications inthis area)		√
A knowledge of mental health, self-help resources anda commitment to their use
The ability to build positive relationships with youngpeople using a trauma-informed approach	√
Experience in creating or identifying resources foryoung people that can be used one to one or intraining, including the use of digital resources
Experience in evaluating programmes of work using avariety of tools to record outputs/outcomes achieved		√
Experience with effective methods of sharing learningwith both internal and external colleagues/agencies		√
Experience in building and sustaining partnerships	√
Understanding of current Scottish policies andchallenges that young people and families areexperiencing in Scotland	√
GENERAL/OTHER	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
Excellent planning and organisational skills	√
Excellent communication skills, including oralpresentations and written reports	√
A good knowledge of ICT	√
A “can-do" attitude and flexible approach	二
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.	√
Willingness to work in different areas if required.	✓
Evening and weekend work may be required on occasion but is out with our normal delivery and will only be where a training programme or event for the YP'falls within this time.	√

COMPETENCY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

COMMUNICATION

Communicates ideas and information effectively, both verbally and in writing, ensuring messages are clear and understandable. Shares information openly and encourages a two way dialogue. Use appropriate language and style that is both relevant to the situation and to the people being addressed.

CUSTOMER CENTRED APPROACH

Puts the person at the heart of the service and is able to understand both internal and external customers and service users’ needs. Takes personal responsibility for securing the satisfaction and well being of customers and service users. Encourages and maintains open, positive relationships with a wide range of people. Listens and communicates assertively to ensure mutual understanding.

INNOVATION

Constantly strives to evaluate, question and improve how things are done. Views improvement as a continuous process. Creatively explores and applies innovative approaches to improve the quality and delivery of services.

LEADERSHIP

The ability to lead, inspire and encourage others to meet business objectives whilst providing a clear vision and sense of purpose in all activities. Actively participates and contribute towards Project Teams, Committees and other working groups. Is supportive of colleagues, including secondees, placements and new employees.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Takes personal responsibility for making things happen and achieving results. Presents ideas clearly and persuasively. Willing to take responsibility in challenging circumstances or when things go wrong. The ability to recognise and control own emotions and to respond to situations objectively, even when under pressure. The self-confidence and flexibility to adapt own response to suit the needs of the situation or to respond flexibly and prioritise depending on the other persons approach.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND REASONING

The ability to identify and resolve problems by gathering and analysing information from a range of sources, and make informed and effective decisions. Draws appropriate conclusions and considers the consequences of these decisions. Willingness to participate and contribute effectively to the team effort. Will put own interests aside when appropriate to meet the needs of the team.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS

A functional understanding of Link’s core information communication technology – including Microsoft Office and IT systems. An ability to access and use personal computer software for effective communication and the management of information. Has a basic knowledge of PCs, including keyboard skills and will take active steps to update personal computer literacy skills and to support others when required.

WORKING TOGETHER

Willingness to participate and contribute effectively to the team effort. Will put own interests aside when appropriate to meet the needs of the team. Takes positive action to build the team and works through conflict to achieve resolution. Makes other team members feel valued. Knows what their team aims to achieve, their role and the part they play and takes positive action to build the team mentors/coaches new employees.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Noted below is a summary of the general terms and conditions of employment of LinkLiving employees.  Those quoted apply to full-time posts and part-time staff will be eligible to receive the same employment terms on a pro-rated basis. Employees on fixed term contracts are also eligible, subject to the restriction of their contract.  An individual contract may determine additional terms particular to that appointment and employees should also refer to their own contract of employment.

Hours

Part time, 22.5 hours per week, over 4 days, usually Monday to Thursday, but requires flexibility around the needs of the service.

Contract

The post is fixed-term until April 2028

Salary

Placement within the salary range will be dependent on a number of factors including skills and experience.

Progressing through the salary range will be determined by an assessment of individual performance against an agreed Job Plan and following a recommendation made to the Management Team at each performance year-end.

Development Worker Salary Range £29,249 - £32,093 per annum, pro rata (dependent on skills & experience).

An Inflation-Related Pay Award is normally awarded annually in April.

Annual Leave

35 days pro rata per annum (including public holidays) rising to 38 days after completion of three years’ service.

Pension

Link is required by law to automatically enrol eligible employees to its pension scheme. Autoenrolment rates from 1 April 2019 are:

Link: 5% of basic salary

Employee: 3% of basic salary

Employees can opt to increase their contributions:

Employee: 4%          5%

Link: 6% 6%

Travel

LinkLiving will support eligible employees employed by LinkLiving and providing support to service users across a geographical area where a bus pass is the most cost-effective means of travel, with the cost of a monthly bus pass. Eligible employees can claim for the cost of a monthly bus pass through iTrent Self Service. Reimbursement will be made through payroll and tax and national insurance contributions deducted. Claims for annual bus passes will not be authorised.

Use of your own car for business mileage, where authorised, will be reimbursed at a rate of 45p per miles.  LinkLiving adopts the Inland Revenue approved mileage rate system.

On-Call

Where an on-call rota is in place, a separate allowance of £20 will be paid per shift.

Time Back

There is a time back arrangement for additional hours worked in excess of the contracted hours.

Probationary Period

There is a 6-month probationary period, which may be extended to 9 months following consultation with individuals.

Support and Supervision

You will have regular support and supervision meetings with your line manager

Smoking

All Link group offices operate a NO SMOKING POLICY – you may have to work with service users who smoke.

Health Care Cash Plan

A non-contributory healthcare cash plan scheme (taxable benefit) for employees and children up to the age of 24 who are living at home and studying full-time. (Option to include partners at an additional cost).

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Information for applicants who wish to work with Link

People who work on a regular basis with vulnerable groups will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. This Scheme replaces the Enhanced Disclosure Scotland checking process for organisations and it is a mandatory requirement of working within Link.

As well as strengthening safeguards for children, the PVG Scheme will improve protection for adults because, for the first time in Scotland, there will be a list of those who are barred from working with protected adults - there is already a list of those who are barred from working with children. A protected adult is a person, aged 16 or over, who receives one or more type of care or welfare service either regularly or for a short period of time.

People who work, on a regular basis, with vulnerable groups will join the PVG Scheme and from then on, their membership records will be automatically updated if any new vetting information arises. Vetting information is conviction information retrieved from criminal justice systems and nonconviction information held by the police that is considered relevant.

Link will meet the cost of any new PVG scheme membership or scheme record update.

For further information please refer to the disclosure Scotland website - http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/pdf/protecting-vunerable-groups-scheme.pdf