Y sort it Care Connections programme aims to support care experienced young people aged between 10-16 years, within West Dunbartonshire.

The role of the Care Connections Support Worker will be to provide support appropriate to care experienced young people’s learning needs, raising attainment by providing a supportive pathway throughout the young person’s school life and beyond.

You will be active at providing support and encouragement, helping them to overcome challenges and /or barriers working towards goals to improve their learning, skills and personal development.

Care Connection Support Workers will be the #Keeping The Promise leads, work with young people currently accessing Y Sort It services who are care experienced. Offering guidance, rights based information, creating learning opportunities. You will be developing support plans, providing advice and information, training and peer support. Your role will be to work closely with schools, partner agencies and family members.

The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work will involve working, evenings, school holidays and weekends. The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work may change to respond to the demands of the work of the Care Connections programme including overnight stays.

Main Role & Key Duties:

• Develop and deliver quality support services for care experienced young people through a variety of approaches including group activities, 1-2-1 targeted support and training opportunities
• Provide support for young people on a one to one basis and support them in making informed choices around issues relating to their learning and as a young person.
• Undertake need assessments and care planning techniques which include focussing on personal outcomes important to Care Experienced Young People and their families.
• Advocate on behalf of young people on a range of issues responding to individual needs.
• Develop and deliver issue-based group work, learning opportunities and training for around a range of key issues according to need.
• Liaise with partner agency staff for the purposes of seamless referral of care experienced young people as appropriate
• Ensure support for each individual is reviewed ensuring ongoing provision of information and contact so changes in need are identified and the most appropriate support offered
• Identify where group support, including youth clubs, workshops, training and learning, will address individual needs, and plan and deliver such support, working as appropriate with colleagues and volunteers to maximise outcomes for care experienced young people.
• Carry out development work and delivery of further information and support based projects for care experienced young people throughout West Dunbartonshire as identified by Y sort it according to the needs of young people.
• Work with schools (inc primary, secondary,) to identify and support; this may include developing, planning and delivering assemblies, attending school events to raise awareness of #Keeping the Promise with pupils and teaching staff, to help raise awareness in schools; encouraging schools to share good practices and experiences.
• Deliver a range of workshops and school/college drop ins and training; this may include sibling and carers workshops, peer mentor training as well as specific training identified.
• In collaboration with colleagues, develop and maintain a schedule of awareness and or promotion initiatives for care experience young people and #KeepingThePromise
• Work with colleagues and wider Y sort it teams to identify areas of unmet need, develop ideas and contribute to plans and funding options to address need.
• Keep up to date with changes in legislation and local services which may affect the lives of care experienced young people and/or impact our service
• Ensure expenditure is maintained within budgetary constraints
• Support outreach and awareness raising work, for example in Care Day, Kinship Care Week, #Keeping the Promise events or consultation.

Administration:

• Organise and manage your workload in an effective and efficient manner.
• Provide quality feedback, both written and oral, on your work as required by your line manager.
• Keep orderly and confidential records of all work completed and ongoing for individuals
• Keep up to date records of your work as directed by your line manager.
• Produce information, data and analysis for quarterly and annual reports
• Collect data and monitor and evaluate activities to ensure outcomes are achieved and documented for young people
• Ensure availability diaries and timesheets for your own work, are submitted weekly by the appropriate deadlines.
• Training and Development
• Engage in team meetings, focus groups and monitoring and evaluation meetings for efficient running of the organisation and its services.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to empathise with, and relate to, young people.
• Ability to engage young people & families
• Good teamwork approach
• Commitment to self-development and learning
• Excellent administrative & IT skills including Microsoft office
• Supportive and enabling approach
• Ability to demonstrate initiative
• Ability to prioritise and organise own workload • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to be responsive and flexible.
• You must demonstrate recent knowledge and experience of the Promise, GIRFEC (Getting it Right for Every Child), UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child).
• You will have an awareness/experience of primary prevention approaches, developing learning opportunities and providing support either 1-2-1 or groups settings.
• Must hold a UK Driving License.

About us:

“Y sort it is a young person led service, providing opportunities that responds to the support needs of local young people and inspires them to reach their full potential- we will #Connect # Support #Inspire WD Young people”.

Y sort it Youth project is aimed at young people aged between 8-18 years old that reside within West Dunbartonshire. We are unique in the fact that Y sort is governed by a Youth Management Board, with all members registered as company directors. This ensures that Y sort it continues to be FOR young people BY young people of West Dunbartonshire.

Young people of West Dunbartonshire will reach their full potential through learning and have the capacity to make informed choices and play a key role in decisions that affect their lives.

We are looking for a highly motivated, and enthusiastic Outdoor Activity Leader who is passionate about developing and delivering quality, engaging & fun outdoor activities that are accessible to children & young people across West Dunbartonshire.

This exciting role combines adventure, leadership, and meaningful impact, helping children overcome challenges and develop lifelong skills through tailored outdoor experiences. You will play a key role in supporting the delivering of our Outdoor Youth Work program across West Dunbartonshire – making a positive difference to children & young people’s lives.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable Outdoor Activity Leader to join our team, specialising in outdoor activities in and around wild places around West Dunbartonshire & beyond.

The primary responsibilities of the role are to oversee, coordinate and facilitate outdoor activities including woodland adventures, bushcraft, den building and outdoor pursuits such as archery, bike riding, fishing, hill walking, fostering a love for nature and the outdoors in our children and young people.

Under direction of the Planet Youth Manager, you will work within schools, communities, community-based organisations, children, young people, and families to establish and deliver an Outdoor Youth Work program in response to Planet Youth survey data.

You will be directly managed by Y sort it Planet Youth Manager. You as the postholder will be responsible for the day to day management of the Y sort it Outdoor Youth Work programme including Staff & Volunteers.

Main Role & Key Duties

You will be responsible for the development & delivery of exciting and engaging high quality outdoor activities that children & young people can experience and enjoy, whilst improving their health & wellbeing, encouraging outdoor learning opportunities, supporting children & young people, to make friendships, learn together and become more connected to their local community.

You will support a small team of youth workers to work closely with children & young people, their families and any relevant partners, to ensure young people are informed and supported to participate in any outdoor programs, and any outdoor based activities.

Outdoor Activities will be held during and after school times, ensuring a seamless approach to outdoor youth work & a strengthening relationships with local schools and education partners.

The postholder will provide critical support within Y sort it to adopt & embed the approach of Planet Youth, within the Youth work team and across other services. Planet youth is led by data collected from anonymous surveys that young people participate in at school. This data is then fed back to local and organised community groups who then create plans of action to create better environments for those young people to grow up in. The survey is fundamental in instigating meaningful discussions and actionable strategies within the local community to improve the lives of young people, their families, and beyond for the long-haul. planetyouth.scot

Requirements

Essential Qualifications

• Two-day Outdoor First Aid Certificate.
• Full driving licence
• At least one of the following:
  • Lowland Leader
  • Summer Mountain Leader, equivalent walking qualification
  • Archery Session Coach (Level 1) or equivalent
  • Cycle Ride Leader or equivalent
  • British Cycling Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader or equivalent.
  • Paddle sports Instructor / Coach or equivalent
  • Angling Development Board of Scotland (ADBoS) Coach License

Desirable Qualifications

An appropriate youth work/ community / social work qualification or equivalent experience.

Experience:

• Design and deliver tailored outdoor activities for small groups, combining fun, challenge, and skill-building.
• Act as a role model, ensuring safety and safeguarding at every step.
• Collaborate with Y sort it teams and partners to create integrated development plans for children & young people
• Manage your workload and time effectively, balancing a busy schedule.
• Play a key role in maintaining equipment, managing risks, and adhering to Health & Safety standards.
• Supporting children with emotional and behavioural needs is desirable.

Responsibilities:

You will have experience of Outdoor Learning, Youth Work / and or Community Development approach, relevant experience in a community based/voluntary role with children, young people and/ or families.

You will have an awareness/experience of Youth Work approaches, and experience of developing and implementing action plans. You will have excellent leadership skills, with excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders, good interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence to bring people together. You will have good assessment and reporting skills with the ability to work with members of the public, to work without constant supervision, and meet deadlines, and the ability to work flexible hours.

The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work will involve working evenings, school holidays and weekends. The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work may change to respond to the demands of the work of the Y sort it Youth Work program including overnight stays for residential & trips.

Please note, a driving license is essential for this role.

This post is considered Regulated Work with Children and/or Protected Adults, under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007. The preferred candidates will be required to join the PVG Scheme, or undergo a PVG Scheme update check, prior to a formal offer of employment being made by Y sort it.

Skills & Abilities

• Manage and develop the delivery of quality high outdoor activities and support for local children & young people through a variety of approaches including targeted programmes, groups, activity sessions on a weekly basis, both within schools and out in the community.
• Work with, manage and support a team of Youth Workers & Volunteers to deliver weekly Outdoor Youth Work Provision including delegating tasks, providing working rotas, regular support & supervision.
• Ensure that safety procedures are followed conforming to the project’s Child Protection, and Health & Safety policies and other relevant policies and complete any appropriate reports e.g. accident / incident forms.
• Always ensure non-discriminatory practices – in line with the Equal Opportunities policy.
• Contribute to joint working and partnership working ensuring positive relationships with all concerned.
• To liaise with parents, carers, professionals, and partnership agencies
• Help maintain a robust monitoring framework to capture evidence of outcomes.
• To organise, prioritise and manage your workload in an effective and efficient manner
• Support the management of budgets & comply with financial procedures
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

About us:

“Y sort it is a young person led service, providing opportunities that responds to the support needs of local young people and inspires them to reach their full potential- we will #Connect # Support #Inspire WD Young people”.

Y sort it Youth project is aimed at young people aged between 8-18 years old that reside within West Dunbartonshire. We are unique in the fact that Y sort is governed by a Youth Management Board, with all members registered as company directors. This ensures that Y sort it continues to be FOR young people BY young people of West Dunbartonshire.

Young people of West Dunbartonshire will reach their full potential through learning and have the capacity to make informed choices and play a key role in decisions that affect their lives.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a world leading youth charity which gives young people the chance to develop skills for work and life.

Our structured programmes of volunteering, physical and skills based challenges inspire, guide, and encourage young people to widen their experiences and learn new skills.

Through a licensing process, we partner with youth organisations and support them in their delivery of our programmes to their young people. These organisations range from schools and colleges to local authorities, charities, secure units, and community organisations.

Through our current five year strategy Youth Without Limits, we are working to ensure the DofE is open to all young people aged 14-24 across the UK, and that our participants reflect the most diverse generation of young people ever.

What is the role?

Working within our values and behavioural framework, the role involves closely managing the relationships of our partner organisations (known as Licensed Organisations – LOs) and ensuring those within your portfolio offer quality and inclusive DofE programmes to young people.

While managing these relationships, across your portfolio area you will also identify and develop new relationships with appropriate educational and community organisations to widen the access of the DofE to young people.

You will be undertaking regular meetings, in person and virtually, engaging with a wide variety of stakeholders at different levels within different organisations across your portfolio area. When not out at meetings, you will be working from home.

Whilst you won’t be working directly with young people, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are having a positive impact on their future opportunities.

What we are looking for:

We are looking for a team player who has a passion for the development of young people and who will be enthusiastic, who can engage and influence a variety of stakeholders and who will be an authentic ambassador for the DofE.

You will need to have good communication and interpersonal skills to engage with internal and external stakeholders and have the skills to inspire and influence them to enable young people to participate in DofE.

To undertake the role, you’ll need to be exceptionally organised, have the ability to prioritise your workload, meet deadlines and have excellent administrative skills, being both computer literate and competent in MS Office applications.

We are looking for someone who has a positive outlook and who will actively contribute to our team.

The role will be mixture of home based and field based, The successful application should live within, or very close to, the portfolio area with a full driving/motorbike licence and access to a vehicle.

Y sort it Care Connections programme aims to support care experienced young people aged between 10-16 years, within West Dunbartonshire.

The role of the Care Connections Support Worker will be to provide support appropriate to care experienced young people’s learning needs, raising attainment by providing a supportive pathway throughout the young person’s school life and beyond.

You will be active at providing support and encouragement, helping them to overcome challenges and /or barriers working towards goals to improve their learning, skills and personal development.

Care Connection Support Workers will be the #Keeping The Promise leads, work with young people currently accessing Y Sort It services who are care experienced. Offering guidance, rights based information, creating learning opportunities. You will be developing support plans, providing advice and information, training and peer support. Your role will be to work closely with schools, partner agencies and family members.

The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work will involve working, evenings, school holidays and weekends. The post holder should be flexible as the actual times of work may change to respond to the demands of the work of the Care Connections programme including overnight stays.