CYP Specialist Exploitation Caseworker

Somerset (hybrid working, with desk space available at Somerset Council offices)

Ref ESE-244

We are seeking a highly organised Children and Young Person’s Specialist Exploitation Caseworker to work alongside Somerset Council’s Exploitation Service.

You will combine lived experience of overcoming similar barriers to the client group and their professional experience to provide crucial guidance, support, and mentorship to children and young people who are being, or at high risk of being exploited.

Through 1:1 mentoring, you will ensure children and young people are equipped to think critically, assess risk, and make better life choices. You will also support them to overcome personal challenges and achieve personal goals. The resulting mindset shift and confidence makes them more resilient to the risks of becoming involved with substance misuse and/or supply; gangs; exploitation and violence. 

We positively encourage applications if you have had personal adverse experiences that make you and ‘expert by experience’. This could include experience of the criminal justice system, having served a prison sentence, experience of gang involvement, county lines and criminal exploitation. You will need to demonstrate how your lived experience supports your ability to carry out the role to the benefit of the clients we work with.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Delivering specialist Exploitation 1 to 1 casework and mentoring to identified at risk young people and their families.

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with children and young people to provide emotional support, guidance, and mentorship.

• Address individual needs and challenges, utilising personal experiences, local knowledge, professional skills and St Giles casework and mentoring materials to offer support and intervention.

• Assist children and young people in setting and achieving personal life goals.

• Collaborate with professionals to support and develop strategies to minimise the risk to young people.

• Maintain a trauma informed approach, that recognises and responds to trauma and amplifies the voices and experiences of children and young people.

• Develop positive, pro-social attitudes, behaviour and social skills with children and young people.

• Safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of children and young people.

• Provide guidance on resolving interpersonal issues.

• Maintain open and effective communication with mentees, professionals, parents/careers and partners.

• Maintain accurate records (including case notes and engagement data) of interactions, progress, and outcomes in line with St Giles delivery protocols.

• Use data to assess the effectiveness of interventions and make adjustments as needed.

• Support in the collation of evaluative data (in line with project protocols).

• Promote inclusivity and equity in your role.

• Attend relevant training and workshops to enhance mentoring skills and professional knowledge.

Person Specification:

• Relevant direct or indirect experience of the criminal justice system or lived experience of the issues facing the client group (i.e. involved in gangs, county lines and/or knife crime). (A)

• Experience of working positively with socially excluded children, young people or adults and able to engage successfully despite ‘challenging’ behaviour. (A)

• Knowledge of the challenges and issues facing vulnerable young people. (A)

• Understanding and demonstration of professional standards and accountability.

• Empathetic and understanding attitude toward young peoples' needs. (A)

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and active listening skills.

• Experience of working collaboratively with multi-agency partners. (A)

• Commitment to promoting inclusivity and equity.

• Excellent record keeping and experience of using case management databases (A)

• Outstanding organisational skills.

• Total commitment to excellent safeguarding practice and understanding of professional boundaries. (A)

• Emotionally resilient.

• Commitment to upholding St Giles core values.

In your application, please demonstrate how you meet the person specification criteria marked with (A)

Please note this role requires Enhanced Adult and Children DBS checks with the Children Barred List.

In return, you can expect a competitive salary, generous leave allowance, staff pension, flexible working, a mentoring programme, an advice and counselling service, season ticket loan and much more.

We are an equity and inclusion confident employer. We welcome all applications and we particularly encourage applications from people of the global majority (black, brown, multi- heritage) and those who identify as disabled, neuroexpansive, neurodiverse, with any protected characteristics and/or social barriers or challenges. We value the empowering and informative impact that all lived experiences and diversity of thought can offer the organisation. St Giles will guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria set out in the Job Description for the vacancy.

To apply, please visit our website via the ‘Apply’ button. 

Closing date: 11pm 16th June 2024        Interview date: 24th June 2024