JOB DESCRIPTION
POST: Young Carer’s Project Worker – Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan – Fixed term contract until March 2027 (could be extended subject to funding)
RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Project Worker
HOURS: 37½ hours per week, typically Monday to Friday. Flexibility is required, including weekly evening work (until approximately 8:00pm) and occasional weekend work to meet the needs of the project and young people.
YMCA Cardiff Group are committed to reviewing our employee wellbeing packages and in addition to the benefits below, we are currently trailing 100-80-100 model of a 4 day working week. and once completed your first 2 months this benefit will be introduced
Area: This post works across Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan.
ORGANISATIONAL AIMS:
1. To initiate, build and maintain purposeful relationships with young people
2. Encourage young people to broaden their horizons to be effective citizens
3. To support young people in their understanding of risk and challenge
4. Support young people to identify and achieve aims so that they may reach their full potential
OUR VALUES:
Because we CARE and have COMPASSION we want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Our aim is to EMPOWER and SUPPORT people.
We do this with RESPECT and EMPATHY, mindful of the EQUALITY of all.
JOB PURPOSE:
To provide person-centred support to young carers to ease and address needs that arise from their caring role and to build their resilience, self-esteem. This will include planning, delivering and evaluating youth clubs/group sessions, activities and trips, residentials, one to one support sessions, life skills support, support with training and learning to address carer’s needs. You will work as appropriate with colleagues to maximise outcomes for young carers.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:
a) Provide a trauma-informed, person-centred support service to young carers across Cardiff and the Vale, working alongside statutory and voluntary organisation’s
b) To provide support, advice, and guidance to young carers through various methods including group work programmes, activities and one to one discussion.
c) To help young carers develop their social skills and increase self-confidence.
d) To provide young carers with a programme of respite activities suited to their needs
e) To empower young carers to identify their own needs and to develop appropriate support systems to meet those needs.
f) To involve young carers in the decision-making and planning of support and activities relevant to their needs.
g) To maintain monitoring and evaluation methods with young people as appropriate.
h) To assist with recruitment, training and support for potential volunteers
i) To assist with the review of services and paperwork regularly in partnership with volunteers, staff and young people and identify any areas of improvement
j) To maintain accurate records and statistical information to allow effective evaluation for funders
k) To attend various staff group/team meetings both internally and externally
l) To deliver staff awareness training around issues of mental health & well-being for young people
m) To attend any identified training as agreed with the line manager.
n) To adhere to and comply with all organisational policies and procedures.
o) To be able to respect the Christian ethos of the YMCA and uphold its values
p) Other duties as thought relevant and appropriate by the Management to ensure the day-today operation of the organisations which includes covering other roles in their absence.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION Young Carer’s Project Worker
ESSENTIAL
· Minimum Level 3 qualification in Youth & Community work
KNOWLEDGE / EXPERIENCE
· Demonstrable experience in working with young people
· Proven track record of working with young people
· Knowledge and experience in session planning and evaluation
· Knowledge and understanding of All Wales Child Protection Procedures, Health and safety, equal opportunities and Confidentiality
· Understanding and value of equality and diversity in the workplace
· Experience of liaising with external agencies and partnership working
· Knowledge of services available for young people with experience of signposting and referring to relevant agencies
· Liaison with external agencies
SKILLS
· People focused and non-judgmental attitude
· Ability to work in a trauma informed way
· Organisational skills: Ability to prioritise and manage own workload and time
· Ability to make decisions
· Ability to manage difficult situations and challenging behavior in a trauma informed approach
· Ability to relate to young people from a wide range of backgrounds
· Excellent communication skills with young people in groups and 1-2-1 situations
· Administrative and IT skills.
· Good verbal and written communication skills.
· Ability to prioritise and manage own workload and time
· Ability to make decisions
ATTITUDE
· Commitment to effective service delivery to young people
· Commitment to good practice standards
· Positive approach to change / innovation
· Commitment to co-operative working and able to work autonomously and as part of a team
· Professional approach to confidentiality, boundaries, and anti-discriminatory practice
· Reliable / dependable
· Flexible working with ability to work weekends and evenings due to the nature of the role
· Able to respect and demonstrate the Associations core values: Respect – Equality – Empathy in daily work
OTHER
· Driver with own transport with business insurance
DESIRABLE
· Group B Safeguarding trained
· Experience of working with young carer’s
· Knowledge of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child (UNCRC)
· Ability to drive a minibus
· Ability to speak Welsh
Pay: From £27,670.50 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee mentoring programme
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance
Application question(s):
- Are you registered with the EWC?
- Do you hold a Minimum Level 3 qualification in Youth & Community work
Experience:
- Working with children in a similar role: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
