Case Worker - County Lines (Merseyside)

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose - we call these our '3Ps'. We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through the delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. Our Young People and Families hub works with those in trouble, providing early intervention, targeted and specialist support services to those in crisis, leaving care, missing from home, or with substance misuse or mental health problems.

County Lines Support Service: A specialist support service for under 25's, and their families, who are criminally exploited through county lines in London, the West Midlands, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester.

Rescue Service: A rescue service with out of hours capacity to facilitate the safe return home, at a critical teachable moment, of under 25's from London, the West Midlands, Merseyside, and Greater Manchester, where they are identified outside of their home police force area, in connection with county lines.

The role of Case Worker - County Lines is an excellent opportunity to provide one-to-one tailored support to young people, working collaboratively as part of a multi-agency team to ensure the safety of young people and maximize their outcomes. Tailoring support to each young person's individual needs and circumstances, our case workers work as part of the Home Office-funded County Lines Support and Rescue Service.

About You

• Great verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to maintain relationships with key partner agencies, working effectively as part of a team.
• Honest and reliable, with a creative and flexible approach to all aspects of work.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage conflicting demands through a problem-solving and a 'can do' attitude.
• Experience of working with, and delivering training to, young people and professionals, in both group and one-to-one settings.
• Strong attention to detail, and knowledge of risk assessments, engagement strategies, intervention strategies, particularly in relation to young people with complex needs.
• Experience of using recording and data collation systems.

Main Duties and Accountabilities

• Providing appropriate end-to-end support and interventions to a pre-defined caseload of young people and their families who are involved in County Lines activity.
• Proactively and continually assessing and managing caseload risks, escalating where necessary through internal and external safeguarding procedures.
• Ensuring that the diverse needs and aspirations of all groups of service users are considered in service planning and delivery.
• Liaising effectively with local partner organisations and other relevant agencies to ensure effective referrals, care, risk management, and ease of transition and referral for young people.
• Promoting the continued joint work of the service and other partners, acting as a sub-regional or district single point of contact, where required.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people under 25 and their families, identified as vulnerable or having complex needs, preferably in a community setting.
• Experience of inter-agency working, preferably with Children's and Family Services/Youth Justice Services/Youth Services.
• Knowledge of issues around risk and vulnerability amongst young people.
• Good ICT skills, with experience of using data recording and data collation systems.

Additional Information

• Salary: £26,000 - £28,000 per annum
• Hours of work: Full time, 37 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent
• Flexibility: Hybrid working arrangements available where service delivery allows.
• This role requires access to a car, and a full manual driving licence.
• This post will involve travel across the regional area, and occasional evening and weekend working.

Catch22 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice will be followed and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised. At Catch22 we value equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services.

If you are applying for this role and are care experienced/care leaver, Catch22 offers a mentor to assist with the application process.