Youth Cultivator – For Step Up and Justice Programme – Solas Project

The Youth Cultivator will work within the spirit of Solas Project, the vision of which is an Ireland where all children and young people truly know their self-worth and can take full advantage of their potential. We are achieving this through providing a range of innovative interventions that equip and empower young people to reach their full potential, live life to the full and participate fully in society. Through programmes of learning, mentoring, personal and social development we support young people to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

We invite appropriately qualified individuals to apply who are committed to the healthy development of young people, have a creative approach to working with our target group, and are enthusiastic about leading within a demanding youth work environment.

Job Title: Youth Cultivator (Youth Justice and Step Up)
Duration: 11 months
Hours of Work: 35 hours a week (including evening work)
Start Date: 14th August 2017
Salary: Dependant on skills and experience of successful candidate

Background to the Role:
This job combines two roles and working as part of two teams:

Youth Justice
Solas Project is developing a new initiative targeting young people (16+) involved in serious levels of offending. These young people, who will be identified by the Gardai, are deemed unsuitable for existing Diversion Programmes or have not successfully engaged with existing programmes. Our staff team is being expanded to enable us to develop innovative and creative ways of engaging and motivating the target group.
Step Up
Step Up is a one-to-one mentoring club for young people transitioning from primary to secondary school and right through until they finish school. Each of our 60 young person are assigned their own volunteer mentor who they work with one to one for one hour a week.
The ideal candidate will have:

Minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people in a disadvantaged context.
A recognised qualification in one: Youth Work, Social Work, Education or related discipline.
Extensive experience of the not for profit sector in a disadvantage context.
Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programmes involving young people.
Understanding of educational disadvantage and the challenges young people face.
Broad understanding of the criminal justice system
Clean driving licence and use of own car
Proven track record of ability to attract, motivate and manage volunteers.
Full appreciation and active support of the ethos and values of Solas Project
Required Attributes and Skills:

Compassion, Patience, Organisational Astuteness, High Emotional Intelligence, Resilience, Process Improvement, Reporting Skills, Change Management, Coaching, Supports Innovation, Developing Standards, Administrative Writing Skills and People Skills.

Role Description
Youth Justice
The person will be working as part of a team to run a new youth justice programme. Key responsibilities will include:

Assessing and responding to the needs of the target group
Engaging with the young people, building a sustainable effective relationship with them and motivating them to work towards achieving their potential
Supporting them to make positive lifestyle choices which will address the complex issues impacting on their lives
Implement this engagement through a process of both individual and group work and through outreach work where required
Developing innovative and challenging programmes to cater for both those in the formal education system and those who have been excluded from formal education
Enlisting the support of parents, family members, community groups and other volunteers to enable them to engage effectively with the target group
Completing accurately and submitting on time any standard clerical procedures of expenses, performance reports, annual plans etc.
Operating efficient office procedures in line with data protection requirements e.g. filing, keeping records etc.
Participating actively in the Justice team and the wider Solas Project team, including attending team meetings/training, and preparing written reports as required by management and Funders
Step Up

Together with the Step Up team have responsibility for the day to day running and development of Step Up in accordance with the objectives of the programme as identified by the Board of Directors, and will work with flexibility in meeting this responsibility. As part of a team the Youth Cultivator will be responsible for the following:

Running Mentoring Club four evenings a week:

Work as part of a team with staff and mentors in managing challenging behaviour and organising group activities as required.
Keep weekly records of attendance and any issues that may have arisen. Ensure mentors keep weekly records up to date. Follow up with any non-attendance of a young person.
As a team make a programme plan for the year including trips, training and team meetings.
Attend monthly trips and support Step Up team in planning of trips and summer programme.
Provide supervision to interns/students involved in Step Up as required
Provide Cultivation Manager with reports (verbal and/or written) on individual children as required.
School and Family

Build relationships with Home School Community Liaison or relevant persons in all schools young people attend and seek regular feedback from schools on progress of young people.
Meet with young people on one-to-one basis in school and/or at home as required.
Communicate with other statutory agencies as necessary including social workers.
Actively recruit young people in conjunction schools and other community organisations.
Liaise with community groups and other organisations working with young people.

Mentor support
Organise and run regular team meetings for mentors as a team
Plan and implement a robust training programme for mentors with support from the Volunteer Co-ordinator. Including creation of mentor information pack.
Recruit and interview potential new mentors with support from the Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Planning and Evaluation
Develop personal development curriculum and source other relevant material for sessions.
Get feedback reports from schools and mentors during the year.
Manage Step Up database and ensure information on home and school visits is up to date.
Develop and expand the programmes above including developing the content of the programmes and seeking out possible funding opportunities
Review the programmes existing policies and update as necessary. Draft any policies that the programme does not currently have and which under best practice guidelines would be required or appropriate.

General Responsibilities:
Assist with the running of any of the other project’s programmes or activities as required.
Be familiar with and abide by the project’s policies and procedures, including child protection and health and safety guidelines for workers and volunteers.
To contribute to the wider strategic development of the project by playing an active role.
To ensure that the values and ethos of the project are reflected in a consistent manner in all activities.
To apply please email a CV and cover letter to: Clodagh@solasproject.ie.

Closing date: 25th July 2017 with interviews to be held the following week.

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