Policy and Development Worker (Scottish Transitions Forum)

The Role

You will be joining a small team of experts that have a leading role in delivering improvements to the panning and delivery of support for young people with additional support needs and their families across Scotland. You will have an influential role at the heart of shaping the delivery of current national policy developments. 

You will bring practical experience in the planning or delivery of support, education or healthcare for young people who require additional support, and the skills to bring together professionals from different sectors to overcome challenges and make a lasting difference to young people’s lives. In return, we offer an opportunity to join one of Scotland’s most impactful and dynamic small charities and the opportunity to be at the forefront of delivering change to achieve a more inclusive Scotland.

Location: Home based. The post will involve travel to the ARC Scotland office in Eskbank and throughout Scotland.

Starting salary: £36,500 to £40,000 (pro rata, depending on experience)

Hours: 17.5 hours p/w (additional hours may be available)

Status: Permanent

Responsible to: Director ARC Scotland

Purpose of job

To improve the experiences of young people (14 to 25) who require additional

support who are making the transition to adult life, and the adults in their lives.

Key Operational Responsibilities:

Provide support to local authorities and other partners to improve transitions

through implementing the ‘Principles into Practice’ improvement framework.

Promote awareness and strategic support for ‘Principles into Practice’ from local

strategic partners and national bodies, including those in education, health and

social care.

Support the production of national and local data reports about transitions, using

data provided by ‘Compass’.

Work with partners who have additional specialist knowledge required to support

the implementation of Principles into Practice, including child protection and the

care system.

Inform and influence the improvement of transitions strategies and policy at local

and national levels.

Other Operational Responsibilities

Support Scottish Transitions Forum members to work together to share

knowledge and resources, and develop solutions to challenges.

Work with our software developers to support the development of transitions Elearning

products and an online knowledge hub for professionals from relevant

sectors.

Work with our software developers to support the continual improvement of the

‘Compass’ digital tool for professionals.

Support the development and delivery of transitions training and consultancy

services.

Communication

Assist in collecting, collating and communicating relevant information essential to

professionals concerning the statutory, policy and practice framework as it

applies to young people in transition.

Assist in supporting awareness and use of ‘Compass’ amongst professionals.

Assist in promoting the work of the Scottish Transitions Forum and ARC Scotland

through website, E-bulletin and social media by creating content relevant to your

work.

Ensure that Scottish Transition Forum members are kept informed of

developments and good practice relevant to young people in transition.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Produce monitoring and evaluation reports for the Scottish Government.

Monitor and collate Compass and other data to evaluate the impact of Principles

into Practice and identify where further work is required.

Planning and Development

Work as part of the ARC Scotland team and contribute to the strategic planning

and development of the Scottish Transitions Forum and other ARC Scotland

activities.

Identify opportunities to develop new partnerships and alliances that will support

the work of ARC Scotland.

Work with ARC Scotland to identify appropriate sources of funding and other

means of sustainability for the work.

Person Specification

Essential

Experience of delivering or planning support, education or healthcare for young

people with additional support needs and/or their families.

Practical experience of successfully delivering change / improvement projects.

Understanding of the practical application of the policy and legislative

frameworks that apply to young people with additional support needs and their

families in Scotland.

Experience of either group facilitation or delivering training.

Proven commitment to inclusion.

Experience of forming successful partnerships with senior representatives from

different sectors.

Experience of producing publications or data and evaluation reports.

Experience of marketing or communications.

Professional qualification in either education, health or social work.

How to apply

Submit your CV and a personal statement of no more 3 A4 pages that clearly

evidence how you meet the essential criteria set out in the person specification.

You may also address how you meet the desirable criteria.

This must be submitted by 9am on 23 June

Interviews will be held on 30 June in the ARC Scotland office, Eskbank, Midlothian.