Project Manager - Young People at Risk of Offending

Our Charity aims to make a difference to people’s lives through 1-1 coaching and positive volunteering experiences. By working with them for as long as it takes, we help them build their self-esteem, confidence, skills, and aspirations. Our staff team is key to this work, and we are a “family” of dedicated individuals who strive to give people a new focus and a fresh start in life. We also care about each other and have a strong work ethic, sharing our learning and experiences through reflective practice and peer support. Our ethos is to ‘connect, engage and empower’ our clients – using strengths-based coaching, we help them play an active role in identifying and achieving their own goals. We know that progress is not linear and effecting this change takes time, patience and understanding.

In this role you will provide 1-1 intensive support to a caseload young people who are identified as being at risk of offending or have already had some contact with the justice system (e.g. the police). You will provide face-to-face support to each young person, in their local community, to help them develop confidence, aspirations, and a pro-social mindset. Key to this will be helping them to recognise their strengths and capabilities, consider positive lifestyle choices, and create an action plan to help them move forward to a brighter future. We are looking for a personable, highly self-motivated and determined individual with a good understanding of the issues young people face, especially those that have come into contact with the justice system. It is likely that you will have carried out a similar role in the past, bringing directly relevant experience and knowledge with you. Building rapport and gaining each young person’s trust will be essential to helping them build resilience and take steps towards a positive future. This post is based in Bristol and will involve working within a small team of project managers, Head Office centre staff and volunteers, reporting into the Operations Manager. In addition to providing 1: personalised support to your clients, you will be responsible for identifying, maintaining and developing relationships with our key referrers, charity partners, corporate supporters and the local community. The post-holder will be actively involved in promoting these relationships to ensure a consistent flow of referrals to the project. The Project Manager will be responsible for: 1:1 Client Support ▪ With the support of Step Together Volunteering colleagues, and building on work already carried out in Bristol, continue to develop Step Together Volunteering’s Bristol project supporting disadvantaged young people into bespoke volunteering opportunities which meet their personal needs and interests. ▪ Supporting young people, aged 16-25, who are specifically at risk of offending and those who have already had some contact with the criminal justice system to include police interview, warnings/cautions, and those who have received an out of court disposal. They may also be at risk of exclusion from their school/college. ▪ Working with clients in a person-centred and holistic way - helping them to build their confidence and self-esteem, connecting them to their local community and support networks. ▪ Preparing and supporting clients into suitable volunteering placements – identifying their skills, interests and aspirations and introducing them to further learning where appropriate, and other activities, groups and programmes that aid their personal development. ▪ Identifying and developing active links with local charities and non-profit organisations which offer volunteering placements and sourcing suitable opportunities for clients with a range of needs. ▪ Where suitable, introducing clients to our “Get Growing” allotment project in South Bristol and its associated short cooking and woodwork wellbeing sessions. ▪ Working flexibly. Carrying out a range of activities to encourage and support volunteering according to clients’ needs and abilities, including support with applications, CVs, making calls, visiting charities, and attending interviews. ▪ Act as the information-and-help point, advisor and mentor for clients. Maintaining regular contact with clients and charity staff regarding volunteering applications and placements. ▪ Maintain client, referrer and charity placement records, recording, storing and sharing information appropriately in accordance with company policy and procedure, and with regard for confidentiality, safe practice and GDPR. ▪ Maintaining strict professional boundaries at all times and understanding that there may be times when you need to step back from a client’s support. Project Stakeholder Management ▪ Developing and maintaining partnerships with other stakeholders working with disadvantaged young people in the Bristol area (e.g., early intervention, police and youth offending teams, local authority families and care leaving teams, and other youth support organisations such as The Prince’s Trust, The Nelson Trust, The Shaw Trust, CYN and 1625ip) and promote understanding of Step Together Volunteering’s programme model. ▪ Researching and developing new referral pathways and attending external meetings to establish partnership working arrangements, network and raise the profile of Step Together Volunteering across the Bristol region. ▪ Working as part of our wider Young People team in Bristol to help promote our support and work with young people and to help us identify opportunities to develop our criminal justice service in the area. ▪ Engaging with our corporate supporters and charity of the year partnerships and attending ad hoc meetings with the management team to support funding applications. ▪ Attending appropriate youth work events, seminars and workshops as part of our collaborative approach and delivering short talks and presentations where required. Other Duties: ▪ Providing monthly reporting data to the Operations Manager and Central Team to help share our impact with funders and supporters. Regularly recording client achievements and outcomes, logging case notes, creating case studies and positive stories, gathering client feedback and testimonials. ▪ Adhering to Step Together Volunteering’s Safeguarding policies and procedures at all times. ▪ Identifying and undertaking other appropriate initiatives in agreement with Step Together Volunteering. ▪ Supporting colleagues in Bristol and across the wider team; participating in reflective practice sessions, attending team meetings and helping identify training needs. PERSON SPECIFICATION This role will most likely be suitable to those with the following skills and experience: Essential Practical experience of working with or mentoring vulnerable, disadvantaged or socially excluded young people who are at (low-medium) risk of offending. A good understanding or knowledge of early intervention programmes and working with police, probation and local authority youth offending teams. Understanding of the challenges young people face in our community and able to nurture trust, confidence and self-esteem. Previous community support work experience or similar either on a voluntary or employed basis. Confident communication and listening skills with the ability to engage and work in a supportive capacity with young people regardless of their background, culture and experiences. Good understanding of the risks and safeguarding practices relating to vulnerable young people, children and adults. Good planning, presentation and time management skills, able to co-ordinate and lead on a 1:1 and group basis. Possess self-motivation, patience, persistence, discipline and resilience. Confident using IT systems such as case management systems and MS Office, researching the internet. Car driver / owner. Desirable Experience of working with young people between the ages of 16-25, who have complex issues i.e.., drugs misuse, abuse, ex offenders, etc. Understanding of NEET, youth support and social care networks / pathways. Experience of working within the charity sector or other community organisations such as social care groups, agencies, probation services, youth support or local authorities. Understanding of LGBT+, BAME, diversity, inclusion, disabilities and equal opportunities. Familiarity with health and safety practices and/or trained in First Aid. Experience of creating and delivering PowerPoint presentations, talks and alike. Experience of using Pathway Star Outcomes, Charitylog case management software or similar (full training will be provided)