Side-by-Side Project Worker

Overview

This is a fixed term contract position until 31st March 2025 with a possibility to extend.

About the project

The Side-by-Side project aims to provide children in care with the same opportunities as those who have not been in care. Children and young people in care can find it hard to navigate the care system and leaving care can be a difficult and complex time in their lives. Amongst those leaving care are children and young people with different needs, with some being at risk of exploitation, some recognised as unaccompanied asylum-seeking children in the UK, or some having identified mental health issues.

Sadly, far too many care leavers are thrust into the world before they are ready, facing life without the support of family and friends that many take for granted.

The Side-by-Side project provides a mentoring and befriending service to support and ease the transition when there are life changes as the young person works towards the next stage of their lives as a care leaver.

About you

National Youth Advocacy Service is looking for a Project Worker to work directly with care leavers in Norfolk, acting as mentors and befrienders as young people transition to being care leavers.

Through this mentoring relationship, you will support the care leaver with their individual goals and aspirations to help them progress to a positive and independent future. You will do this by:

• Having regular meetings with the care leaver, supporting them to positively review their situation.
• Ensuring that care leavers understand their rights.
• Identifying if additional services are required and providing signposting and referral routes as appropriate.
• Supporting with job applications, CV writing, and interviewing skills.
• Assisting with the completion of formal applications for housing or education.
• Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of care leavers.

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people, and adults at risk National Youth Advocacy Service work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references, and a Digital Risk Assessment.

Company Culture

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld. National Youth Advocacy Service work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who often rely on statutory services and suffer the negative impact of cuts in public expenditure.

National Youth Advocacy Service's combination of social care and legal services places National Youth Advocacy Service in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard. National Youth Advocacy Service is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive environment, welcoming applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

NYAS is proud to share that National Youth Advocacy Service is a Disability Confident Employer and guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for National Youth Advocacy Service's vacancies.

Work with National Youth Advocacy Service to help change young lives.

Telephone: 0151 649 8700 Email: recruitment@nyas.net