APPLICATION PACK

Young Lives Consortium

Shared data\April 2019-20202/Self Advoaocy 2020.doc

February 2020

Dear Applicant

Thank you for contacting us for information about the Self Advocacy Development Worker.

You will find the following documents included in this pack:

About our application processBackground information about Young Lives ConsortiumA job profile and person specification for the post you have enquired aboutAn application formAn equal opportunity monitoring form

If you require an alternative format please contact Young Lives Consortium via the details below.

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 11th March 2020 at 5.00pm. Application forms and the equal opportunities monitoring form should be emailed to emily@ylc.org.uk or alternatively post to:

Emily Castle Lightwaves Leisure Centre

Lower York StMarsh WayWakefieldWF1 3LJ

As we are a charity with limited resources, we are sorry that we will not be able to respond to applicants who are not shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us within a week of the shortlisting date please assume that you have not been shortlisted. Interviews are currently planned for Saturday 14th March 2020.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced DBS check.

If you have any questions about the process, or you would like to have an informal discussion about the post, please contact me on 01924 364198

Yours sincerely,

Emily Castle Chief Executive OfficerYoung Lives Consortium

Encs.

Background information about Young LivesYoung Lives Consortium (YLC) was formed in 2008 by joining together two networks, the Voluntary Youth Organisation Network and the Children’s Consortium. Its purpose was to provide a joint voice and services for, and alongside, the children and young people’s VCS. In the first month, over 60 organisations joined, since then membership has risen to 119 groups and in November 2016, became a Charitable Incorporated Organisations.

YLC is an infrastructure organisation made up of member organisations from the voluntary and community sector (VCS) that operate in the Wakefield District. Member Organisations (MOs) share a commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people, their families and local communities within Wakefield and District.

Future in Mind Community Navigator Programme, commissioned by Wakefield CCG, assists children and young people to develop their resilience at times of transitions; primarily in Years 6/ 7 and Year 10 in High Schools. Last year, 840 children and young people in Primary Schools, Secondary’s, Special Schools and Pupil Referral Units at risk of low wellbeing took part in a 10-week Programme: ‘Luggage for Life’. The programme aims to improve resilience, which in-turn, improves key protective factors, evidenced to improve outcomes for children and young people. Also, in 2019, 540 children and families participated in community activities alongside the Community Navigators to improve their wellbeing and connect them to services responding to key issues such as holiday hunger and child poverty.You can find out more about our work at our website at www.ylc.org.uk

YLC has a team approach, in that local health and care intelligence is considered jointly with relevant stakeholders; priorities are set, staff and volunteers work together to investigate the agreed key work areas. We have a focus on achieving positive outcomes to improve local health and social care services, using a strong evidence-based approach to support our work.

YLC has an active Board of Directors, with 6 member organisations being represented on the Management Board. Successful activities include acting as a single point of contact for the children and young people and families’ VCS, developing communications facilitated via an E-bulletin, workforce development activities such as Resilience and Safeguarding training, facilitating VCS engagement and voice in the Children’s Partnership Arrangements.

YLC has several functions that it must fulfil, as follows:

1. Keep children and young people safe and help them achieve their potential. To support this, we:

Respect and value children and young people.Celebrate the culture, diversity and vibrancy that children and young people bring to our communities.Encourage aspiration, recognised achievement and help alleviate uncertainties. Aim to understand what inspires children and young people and work from this to extend their experience Promote the voice and representation for children and young peopleValue families.Research the needs of children, young people and families and develop tools and approaches to meet them. Manage projects, commissions and contracts enabling our members to address the needs of children, young people and families.Provide training to paid and voluntary practitioners in membership. Ensure our own quality meets national standards and support member organisations to achieve the appropriate quality standards.Provide an organisational development support service to member organisations. Represent membership views and influence local policy and practice.

2. Ensuring, through direct delivery and partnership opportunities, that paid and voluntary youth and community workers (in Member Organisations) have access to training in:

Children and young people’s workforce development opportunities.Local initiatives, e.g. the Risk and Resilience Framework and Conversational Tool, so young people’s assets and needs are promoted.SafeguardingHealth and SafetySafeTALK

Working at Young Lives ConsortiumYoung Lives is a small organisation with a very wide remit, working in an ever-changing environment. This means that staff and management must respond to both internal and external opportunities, sometimes in a short timescale. As a result, the pace of work can be very fast. However, we have a relatively informal working environment and the organisation is very friendly. Staff members working at YLC have many opportunities to develop their skills and experience and to prioritise and manage their own workload on a day to day basis. We are therefore looking for people who possess a 'can-do' approach, are able to use their initiative to find ways and means to undertake work when solutions may not always be initially obvious, and people who relish a busy, yet collaborative working atmosphere.

Terms and conditionsA Statement of Employment Particulars exists which covers our written terms and conditions. For information they include:

6% employer salary contribution to a stakeholder pension scheme (and 6% employee contribution)Flexi-time 25 days a year holiday plus bank holidays plus three days between Christmas and New Year (pro rata for part time staff)

Job share applicationsAll full time posts are available for job share.If two people wish to apply as one candidate both should complete the first five pages of the application form and you can then decide whether to respond to the specific questions on one form or on two separate forms. Please provide a covering letter explaining how you have completed your application.

About our recruitment processThe person specificationOur application process is based entirely on the person specification, which is contained in the information about the post you are interested in. It is therefore very important that you read this document to see how you feel you meet the requirements that we feel are needed to enable someone to meet the job profile.

The application formThe form has been designed to be as easy to complete as possible. Therefore please ensure you read all the instructions and provide all the information requested. If you are hand writing the form, please do so in black ink and write as clearly as possible.

Do not include a CV as these will not be considered as part of the process.

ShortlistingWhen shortlisting, we will go through the specification and compare against the criteria listed to see whether you can demonstrate that you meet them. It is therefore useful to give as much information as you can within the space allocated. For example, if the spec says 'Experience of preparing accounts' please do not say something like 'I can prepare accounts' but rather 'I have experience of preparing accounts having been responsible for preparing the books for ABC Community Association for three years. This work included preparing the budgets, undertaking all the bookkeeping, producing regular reports of our income and expenses against the budget for the management committee, liaison with the Auditor and presenting the audited accounts to the committee'.

InterviewThe interview is designed to find out how each candidate meets the person specification. You will be asked to give a presentation and/or to undertake an active task at the interview. There will be a formal interview panel and a less formal conversation with a patient/stakeholder panel as well. We suggest you allow at least 2 hours for the full interview process.

ReferencesWe reserve the right to take up references. Any offer of employment is subject to our receiving satisfactory references.

Unpaid workPlease remember that unpaid work experience can be as important as paid work experience. For that reason we include a specific page for this.

English law requires that all employers check that everyone they employ is legally eligible to work in the UK. As an equal opportunities' employer, Healthwatch Wakefield will therefore require all successful candidates to provide this proof prior to starting work. The Home Office has provided a detailed list of what documents provide this proof. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact us.

Self-Advocacy Development Worker 2 positions available

Job DescriptionEmployment Type: Temporary/Part Time 6 hours per weekStart date: April 2020Finish dates: June 2020 (3 month contract)Salary: £23,000 pro rata

IntroductionYoung Lives Consortium is involved with working alongside a group of Young Adults with Learning Disabilities to develop a Self-Advocacy Group in the Wakefield District.

The Self-Advocacy Support Worker is expected to be a self-starter, capable of both using their initiative and working closely with colleagues including Young Adults. The post-holder will need to display a “can do” approach in line with the group’s purpose.

Position Objectives To support self-advocates establishing and running an independent

self-advocacy group within a drop in environment run by and for people with a disability.

Supporting the group to establish various pathways to have their voice(s) heard and to have real input in all levels of the group, including wider services around the Wakefield District.

Supporting peer advocates accessing other resources, including training and advice that will ensure an ongoing control of the group as an entity, which will not involve outside expectations of people(s) without a disability.

Deliver and Promote empowerment towards people with a disability.

Key Responsibilities and Duties Supports the group to ensure the developments of skills are controlled by people with a

disability.

Provide support, advice and encouragement within the group and to undertake a monthly Saturday meeting, to discuss group activities and the Tuesday drop-in.

Supporting the group by planning and identify issues that need to be address including activities they wish to undertake and completing funding bids with support from the group

Support and include all group members in discussion making and activity participation

Assist the group in working towards becoming self-sustaining.

Assist the group to find ideas, practical training, advice, networks and resources

In the areas of:

Individual Self-Advocacy Self-management Working towards

change Planning

Group Self-Advocacy Governance Decision making Lobbying

To support the group to link with other self-advocacy groups and their networks.

To support the group to develop and/or maintain links or partnerships with local disability advocacy, and other organisations.

Organisation Relationships Responsible to:

Manager the Self-Advocacy Group and reporting to Young Lives (Speak Out! Go out!)

External Liaison: Self-Advocacy and Disability Advocacy Sector, People with Disabilities and their Families/Carers, Disability Service Providers, Mainstream Service Providers, Community Groups, Wakefield Council and Adult Safeguarding Board.

Accountability, Extent of AuthorityThe Advisor is accountable to YLC and Speak Out! Go Out! Steering Group

Key Selection Criteria Committed and have an understanding of the principles of the U.N. (Convention on the

Rights of Persons with Disabilities).

Knowledge of the Disability Sector.

Awareness of, or experience in, the disability advocacy or self-advocacy sector.

Demonstrated understanding of the principles of community inclusion, empowerment

and consumer participation in planning including decision making and produce practical evidence

Experience in working alongside a broad range of community organisations, government bodies and other consumer organisations.

Have the ability to develop and foster partnerships with key stakeholders.

Experience in or a firm understanding of the principles of consumer control and the role of a worker in supporting this.

Understanding the ability to relate to young adults with learning disabilities.

Specialist Skills and knowledge Demonstrated and have the experience working alongside people with a disability.

Committed to participant empowerment and have involvement in planning and decision making within the group.

Clear understanding of community development theory and practice; principles of community inclusion and participation in community planning strategies.

Excellent knowledge of the disability service system.

Personal attributes of flexibility, energy and be committed to innovation and creativity.

Safeguarding Young Adults.

Management Skills Skills in managing time, setting priorities, planning and organising one’s own work.

Skills in facilitating groups and drop in sessions.

Skills in developing a systematic approach to mapping key community issues and their needs.

Accurate and concise report writing skills.

Interpersonal Skills Well-developed written and verbal communication.

Ability to accept responsibility and be accountable for performance.

Qualifications and Experience Experience in working with disadvantaged groups/people with disabilities:

Knowledge in computer based data processing, word processing and spreadsheets.

Current driver’s licence preferred however ability to travel around the district is important.

Office use only

This section will be detached prior to short listing and will not be used as part of the short-listing process.

Equal Opportunities StatementYoung Live’s Consortium is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered on the basis of suitability for the post, regardless of sex, race, marital status, religion, disability or sexual orientation. In order to monitor the effectiveness and success of the policy, it is important that you complete the questionnaire below.

The details given in this part of the form are confidential and will not be considered in any way during the appointment process.

Age Group

16 - 24 25 34 35 – 49 50 +

Ethnic Origin

Asian - Bangladesh Black - Caribbean

Asian - EEC Black - EEC

Asian - Indian Black - African

Asian - Pakistan Chinese

Asian - Other White – Non EEC

White - EEC Other

Gender

Female Male

Do you consider yourself having a Disability?Yes No Prefer not to say

Please state

This form will be kept entirely separate from the rest of your application

Application FormSelf-Advocacy Development Worker

Young Lives Consortium aims to be an equal opportunities employer and will ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of sex, race, disability or any other protected characteristic or factor

irrelevant to a person's ability to do a job.

Please note: The first three pages of the application are not used as part of the shortlisting process.

Name:

Telephone:

Email Address:

May we contact you on these telephone numbers?Telephone home: Yes/No

Mobile: Yes/No

Telephone work Yes/No

Please tick the box if you are applying for/would consider job share

Present or most recent employment

Employer:

Job Title: Date Appointed:

Salary/Wage: Notice Required: Date left (If relevant)

Briefly summarise your main duties and responsibilities and reason for leaving if (relevant)

ReferencesPlease provide the details of two referees who can comment on your suitability for the post. One referee should be your current employer, or if you are not in employment your most recent employer. If you have not been previously employed give the name of a responsible person who knows you well but is not a relative. References will only be taken up after a conditional job offer has been made and with your knowledge.Referees will be asked to comment on your honesty, professional competence and sickness record.

Name

Title/Position (if applicable)

Address:

Post Code:

Telephone:

Email Address:

Please say in what capacity you know this person?

May we contact this referee before the interview? Yes No

Name

Title/Position (if applicable)

Address:

Post Code:

Telephone:

Email Address:Please say in what capacity you know this person?

May we contact this referee before the Yes No

interview?

Reasonable AdjustmentsThe selection process consists of this application form, a test and an interview.Do you need any adjustments in order to be able to participate in the recruitment process? (If so, please specify.)

Further InformationIf you are shortlisted for interview you may be asked to complete a form declaring any unspent criminal convictions. If your application is successful you may be required to request a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The need for these checks is post dependent. Young Lives Consortium will reimburse the cost of this check.

How did you find out about this post or where did you see it advertised?

If you wish to make a complaint about any aspect of this application process, please contact the CEO of Young Lives Consortium.

DeclarationI declare that the information given on this form is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature: Date:

EducationPlease provide details of your education from high/secondary school starting with the most recent.

Name of school/college or university Qualification Grade Date

Training and Professional DevelopmentPlease provide details of training you have undertaken starting with the most recent.

Course or Training Qualification Grade Date

Please continue on an additional sheet if required.

Employment ExperiencePlease provide a summary of previous employment, most recent first experience starting with the most recent.

Employer, including address

DatesFrom To Job title Reason for leavingM Y M Y

Please continue on an additional sheet if required.

Length of notice or date you could start:

Community and Voluntary Work ExperiencePlease tell us about any voluntary work experience you have gained, or about your involvement in community and voluntary groups, which is not given on previous pages.

Name of organisationDates

From To Details of your work/activities/responsibilitiesM Y M Y

Please describe how you meet the person specification for this role. You can use up to 2 sides of A4 and a minimum of size 11 font.

Information to support your application

To support your application describe what particular experience, skills and abilities you can bring to the job. These may include skills developed in paid or voluntary work, or through family and leisure activities. Please see the Job specification to assist you answer this section. You may use an additional sheet.