Targeted Youth Advisor, Chelmsford

The Targeted Youth Adviser will play a key role in developing the Youth Service offer by working with identified Young People who are at risk of not engaging in employment, education and training. TYA's provide in depth, evidence based one to one intensive mentoring, bespoke groupwork packages and positive activities to empower Young People to overcome barriers to education to reach their full potential.

The role supports young people of school age requiring impartial advice and guidance to re-engage in education, as well as progression into post 16 opportunities into appropriate employment, education, training and vocational opportunities. Identifying activity opportunities, enabling them to fulfil their potential and access universal services. You will also engage in mentoring and reintegration work that supports the government's statutory guidance for pupils of alternative provision for those at a compulsory education age. The role will be aligned to another service area within Essex County Council.

A broad understanding of the issues affecting young people, barriers to education, opportunities for learning and the services provided by partner agencies is essential.

Contributing to the development of a high-quality targeted service for young people, the role will work with colleagues across the Council and key partners such as Education, Health, Social Services and Youth Offending Service, to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people.

• Responsible for assisting young people to overcome barriers to access universal services and learning or employment, providing impartial advice, information and guidance, supportive of young people's needs and views.
• Work with young people, their families and schools to remove barriers to education and learning in line with the DfE statutory guidance on Alternative Provision.
• Carry out young carers statutory assessment of needs, in line with our statutory duty as defined by the Children's and Families Act 2014.
• Responsible for managing a defined caseload of young people to establish their needs and offer intervention in line with external contracts and create, maintain and review accuracy of records in conjunction with DfE guidance and that of external funders, whilst ensuring compliance with Information Sharing Protocols.
• Responsible for the effective management of staff; renewing and reflecting on professional practice to achieve continuous improvement in performance.
• Supporting the development and delivery of intensive support to identified young people within a cost recoverable framework to remove barriers to education, employment or training.
• Working in collaboration with stakeholders, including senior school-based staff, social care, SEND, Youth Offending Service, Housing and partner agencies, to provide wider support to young people to remove barriers to learning, training and employment.
• Responsible for the delivery of high quality one to one interventions, mentoring and group work through positive activities that are cost effective, planned, actioned and evaluated.
• Work collaboratively with a range of external agencies and commercial bodies to ensure a coherent approach to overcoming barriers to learning and employment faced by young people, ensure they receive service required, including promotion of the eight Gatsby benchmarks as set out in the government's careers strategy.
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, including data management, equality and diversity legislation and ensure arrangements are in place to effectively manage concerns and complaints.
• Responsible for brokering opportunities between providers and young people to enable them to engage in preparation for the world of work and search for education and employment opportunities.
• Influence and negotiate the level and type of provision available, to meet economic and young people's needs and identify and inform gaps in education and training provision.
• Collate and disseminate information in respect of current opportunities, working closely with educational and training providers.
• Responsible for developing and delivering large scale employability and recruitment events, advocating with parents/carers and other professionals.

Educated to IAG Qualification, Dip CG, QCG or NVQ 4 LDDS (minimum NVQ 4) level. Preferably working towards level 6 LDDS. Evidence of continuing professional development and expert knowledge in relevant professional area.

A broad understanding of the issues affecting young people, opportunities for learning and the services provided by partner organisations and proven experience in effective collaborative working. Deep knowledge and understanding of the current local offers of support to young people that may facilitate their reintegration.

Experience of line management of staff, plus extensive work with young people on a one to one basis and in groups. Proven experience of successfully progressing young people into employment, education and training opportunities.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to relate to young people in a purposeful but responsive manner and demonstrable knowledge and understanding of their needs.

Ability to build working relationships with stakeholders and partner agencies which are collaborative and engender delivery.

Advocating on behalf of young people with services and partner organisations with an ability to negotiate with schools, colleges, employers and other agencies.

Flexible approach with excellent time management skills and ability to work creatively in order to respond to young people's needs.

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we're committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.