Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of young people? Do you want a flexible, varied and meaningful job in a supportive team? Do you value great employee benefits such as generous holidays and an annual training budget? Apply to join us!

Bridges Project is a leading youth work charity that helps young people aged 12-25 in East Lothian and Midlothian overcome challenges and adapt to adulthood. Since 1984, we have helped young people develop their life skills, improve their educational attainment and move into employment or further education. Join our team and take pride inspiring young people!

We have a vacancy for a Support Worker to deliver a support programme to young people aged 13 – 21 from East Lothian who are experiencing a wide range of challenges including family poverty and family substance use.

The successful candidate will

Support young people in areas such as reducing social isolation and improving mental health
Provide mentoring support to young people enabling them to engage in activities within their local communities

To deliver a support programme to young people aged 13 – 21 from East Lothian who are experiencing a wide range of challenges including family poverty and family substance use

To support young people in areas such as reducing social isolation and improving mental health

To provide mentoring support to young people enabling them to engage in activities within their local communities

Responsibilities and tasks

To identify individual needs and, in conjunction with each young person, agree individually tailored action plans to develop skills and establish routines that improve mental health
To identify potential areas of interest for personal, emotional and social development
To set clear boundaries and work towards what success is for each individual, referring on for specialist intervention where appropriate
To provide person centred support packages focussing on personal development and improving life skills
To provide support which enables young people to engage with their local communities and take part in relevant activities and opportunities
To provide support to young people which addresses areas such as social isolation, anxiety, poor mental health and low confidence
To work in partnership with key professionals/agencies involved in each individual young person’s case e.g. high schools, CAMHS and social work
To support young people to gain employability skills, life skills and accreditation; helping them in to work, apprenticeships, further education, training, work experience and volunteering
To actively involve young people in evaluating the programme
To monitor and evaluate young people’s progress using assessment tools in areas such as skills development and SHANARRI wellbeing indicators
To be responsible for gathering and inputting data to Bridges Project’s bespoke monitoring and evaluation systems
To participate and cooperate in relevant Bridges Project meetings and meetings with other agencies
To participate in the provision and analysis of information necessary to monitor and evaluate the programme and provide information for monitoring reports to funders
To actively participate in support and supervision
To undertake other such duties known to be within the competence of the post holder as may be required from time to time

Person Specification

Experience

Lived experience of at least one of the challenges faced by young people accessing support at Bridges Project
Experience of working with vulnerable and disadvantaged young people
Experience of working with young people in an employability context
Experience of group work/training delivery
Experience of supporting young people with their mental health
Experience of working within professional boundaries
Ability to encourage self-help
Commitment to multi-agency working
Experience of and commitment to working within an anti-discriminatory framework
Ability to work as part of a team
Ability to manage lone working
Experience of providing young person led bespoke one to one support and guidance
Experience of working within a social care environment
Experience of working within monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Skills, knowledge and attributes

Positive, motivated and passionate
Ability to prioritise workload and work in a fast paced environment
Ability to be creative and use own initiative
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Professional approach
Effective organisational and time management skills
Good level of IT skills
Excellent communication skills
Ability to set and operate within clear and appropriate structures
Accurate record keeping
Pro-active approach to equal opportunities
Common sense, patience and a commitment to the wellbeing of the client group
Reliable, flexible, good humoured
Ability to develop good working relationships with colleagues and partner agencies
Good problem solver who can adapt well to changing challenges and priorities
Ability to take instruction and to respond well to supervision and management input

Educational and Vocational Qualifications

Desirable

SVQ level III or equivalent in a related discipline
Graduate or equivalent qualification in a related discipline

It is essential that the postholder is a qualified car driver with full time access to a car and will, as required, transport young people.

This is an exciting position in which the successful candidate will take pride in developing a programme of delivery which will improve the lives of young people in East Lothian.

It is essential that candidates have a full, clean driving licence and constant use of a car. Membership of the PVG scheme will be an essential requirement of the post. A contributory company pension scheme is offered with a 10% employer contribution.

Application notes:

An application pack may be downloaded from our website

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