Job Description. About BYHP Banbury Young Homelessness Project (BYHP) has been in existence since 2001.

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1 Job Description Job Title: Unlocking Potential Employment & Development Outreach Worker Starting salary: 22,000 to 25,000 per annum, depending on experience Hours per week: 37.5 Probation Period: 3 months Fixed term until Sept 2019 Closing date: CV and covering letter of application to be received by midday Friday 30 th March 2018 About Unlocking Potential Aspire is the lead delivery partner for a new project called Unlocking Potential. This is a joint funded Big Lottery and ESF Building Better Opportunities project. It aims to provide a comprehensive, intensive and integrated package of fun engagement activity, real work experience, accredited entry-level training, employability development, one-to-one holistic support and work readiness opportunity to young people aged NEET for 6 months or more in the county. The young people NEET engaged in the project will develop quickly their selfconfidence, self-esteem, work readiness & employability. They will be supported into meaningful employment, education & training opportunities with a diverse range of local employers and training providers, with ongoing in-work support to sustain progress. The project is delivered by eight experienced community partners across Oxfordshire with a strong track record of reaching, engaging and empowering young people NEET towards, into and during employment, training and education. The delivery partners are supported in project governance and compliance commitments by Oxford City Council, using expertise gained in delivering an ESF funded project over the last year. The role of Employment and Development outreach worker is new to the project to increase our engagement with the target client group in specific communities and areas. The role will be co-hosted by two project partners, Banbury Young Homelessness Project (BHYP) based in Banbury and Synolos based in Witney. About BYHP Banbury Young Homelessness Project (BYHP) has been in existence since Whilst known as an organisation helping homeless young people, they are in fact a charity supporting all young people aged 13 to 25 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or disadvantaged (and often their families) in Banbury, Bicester, Brackley, Chipping Norton and the surrounding areas.

2 BYHP operates three core services supporting between 200 and 300 young people annually - Family Mediation and Counselling, Housing and Homelessness Advice and Employability, including a Job Club. In addition to the core services, BYHP also runs a Peer Support Group and a Food Bank, as well as projects related to a range of areas including art, music and sport. About Synolos Founded in 2010 by Barry Ingleton, Synolos is an award winning Social Enterprise (CIC) organisation based in West Oxfordshire that helps individuals identify and fulfil their potential. Staff at Synolos aim to work with individuals to not only identify their strengths, but to help carry them through into a practical setting. To fulfil this aim, they have various approaches at their disposal that they can offer, depending on the needs of the individual. The goal for all those who work with Synolos is to help guide them into employment, self-employment, voluntary work or further training. The aim is simple, but of paramount importance. By creating relevant opportunities that help people identify their strengths, they can be helped to improve their lives and build the future that they aspire to. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY We are committed to and champion equality and diversity in all aspects of employment with Aspire. All employees are expected to understand and promote our Equality and Diversity Policy in the course of their work. PROTECTING OUR STAFF AND SERVICES Adherence to Health and Safety requirements and proper risk management is required from all employees in so far, as is relevant to their role. All employees are expected to understand and promote good Health and Safety practices and manage risks appropriately. Adherence to Safeguarding requirements and training on this process is mandatory for all Aspire employees. All employees are expected to understand and promote effective Safeguarding practices in all aspects of their employment with Aspire. Overall Purpose of Job Reporting to Aspire s Building Better Opportunities Project Manager, the post holder will: Be responsible for working collaboratively with BYHP and Synolos employment and development workers to support the engagement of eligible young people in the community. You will be the initial point of contact,

3 promoting opportunities that are available to unlock the potential of NEET young people in Oxfordshire. Identify eligible participants for the Unlocking Potential project by working with other agencies, young people s organisations and support services in an outreach capacity. Focussing on encouraging and supporting clients to participate in targeted career & employability development advice, linked to identifying local education, training and employment development & opportunities for your clients to pursue. The post holder must demonstrate their ability to commit to client-centred, multiagency, partnership working. As an outreach worker, you will visit a number of sites in Witney, Banbury and Bicester with bases in Banbury and Witney. You must also demonstrate an ability to engage with young people aged who need support to progress into training, education or employment. Applicants with lived experience of a barrier to employment such as homelessness, drug or alcohol problems, or with offending histories, are encouraged to apply. Key tasks and accountabilities Key tasks and accountabilities are intended to be a guide to the range and level of work expected of the post holder. This is not an exhaustive list of all tasks that may fall to the post holder and employees will be expected to carry out such other reasonable duties which may be required from time to time. Key tasks Work collaboratively with BYHP and Synolos to identify and engage entrenched NEET young people aged for the BBO Unlocking Potential project in an outreach worker capacity. Visit young people at their homes, often liaising with parents to persuade entrenched NEET young people to become involved in their wider community, taking up opportunities to gain skills, qualifications or employment. Visit young people s organisations, clubs, services and projects to promote the Unlocking Potential project. Identify eligible participants by quickly building a rapport, assessing the needs of the young person and referring them to the relevant project partner organisation. It will be particularly valuable if you can demonstrate an ability to build and maintain excellent working relationships with local young people s organisations and support services. Support and encourage participation on a range of opportunities to help BBO participants to build their self-confidence, gain qualifications, further their personal development and future prospects.

4 Keep accurate records of participant referrals for purposes such as monitoring reports and support records. This will include completion of specific BBO documentation. Build and maintain excellent working relationships with project partners and other relevant organisations to enable multi-agency support for our Unlocking Potential clients. Develop a full understanding of BYHP, Synolos and the overall BBO Unlocking Potential project. Ensure that your knowledge of current opportunities is kept up to date. Other 1. Demonstrate high levels of flexibility and adaptability to a constantly changing work flow. 2. Attend and participate effectively in team meetings, appraisal meetings, staff development sessions, reviews and conferences. Provide progress information to the line manager as required. 3. Exhibit a strong team-working approach with the aim of maintaining a positive and productive work environment. 4. Take an active part with other staff in the development and maintenance of high service and quality standards, and be responsible for monitoring these as required. 5. Undertake such other duties which may be required reasonably and within the capability of the postholder. Essential Skills/Qualities PERSON SPECIFICATION 1. An empathetic and non-judgemental attitude to NEET young people and an understanding of their difficulties in entering education and employment. 2. Experience of supporting young people with barriers to education and employment such as homelessness, mental health, drug or alcohol problems, poor basic living skills, debt or with offending histories, in a statutory or voluntary sector setting; AND/OR lived experience of dealing with these barriers in your personal life. 3. Excellent ability to persuade disengaged young people to try available opportunities. This may involve visiting them at home, liaising with parents and other support workers. Sincerity, reliability and trustworthiness are key. 4. Very good communication skills, oral and written, including the ability to present a positive image of the organisation and your client group to a range of audiences, including other young people s organisations and support services, and to represent Unlocking Potential at external meetings with partner agencies and other support workers.

5 5. Experience of and expertise in providing progression focused information, advice & guidance. 6. Good organisation skills. Ability to prioritise and deliver on a changing work load, sometimes with short deadlines. 7. Ability to use initiative and be a self-starter. 8. Ability to build rapport and confidence quickly with team members and service users. 9. A strong, confident approach with the aim of engaging hard to reach young people either in their homes or in a variety of settings across the county on a daily basis. 10. A firm belief in service user involvement. 11. Ability to keep accurate records for purposes such as monitoring reports and employee supervision and support records, including on the Aspire database. 12. Computer literacy, able to use Microsoft Office suite, databases and internet search engines. 13. Commitment to equal opportunities. 14. Driving licence and access to a vehicle. Desirable skills / experience 1. Ability to work flexibly with some requirement to work evenings and or weekends. 2. Training or qualification related to engaging with young people overcoming barriers to employment, social care work, supporting ex-offenders, or drug & alcohol rehabilitation. 3. Knowledge of the statutory and voluntary sector services available to vulnerable young people in Oxfordshire. 4. Some knowledge of employment support for people making a transition from the benefits system, and experience of supporting people with benefits related issues. If this exciting role in a growing and ambitious social enterprise and charity is the opportunity you have been looking for, please apply by sending a copy of your CV and a covering letter by midday Friday 30 th March 2018 for the attention of Christina Rofique at chris@aspireoxford.co.uk Please use your covering letter to demonstrate how your skills, qualities and experience meet each of our requirements listed in the Person Specification and how they have helped you achieve relevant, positive results, as this will give you the best possible chance of being shortlisted.

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