Engagement Worker 

Location: Bristol and South Gloucestershire 

Start date: ASAP (dependent on completion of satisfactory reference and DBS checks)

Contract: Permanent 

Working Hours: Full time (35 Hours a week) Term-time only 

Salary Range: £20,827 to £27,543

LPW Mission

LPW deliver play opportunities, education, training and routes into work to children and young people to make communities safe and inclusive, with quality opportunities for all. 

LPW delivers services where the biggest differences to people and communities can be made. We focus our efforts where they are most needed in the West of England and where we can make the most impact.

LPW Values

• Aspiration- developing people and helping them realise their potential 
• Developmental- we support children, young people, adults and each other to develop their full potential 
• Reliable- we do what we say we will do 
• Enjoyable- we actively promote a positive working culture to make LPW a great place to work 
• Inclusive- LPW treats everyone equally while respecting their differences and individuality 

Job Purpose 

• Engage children & young people (CYP)
• From a range of different communities, to build resilience and improve their life chances; 
• Work with partners, managers, other colleagues and CYP to shape direct delivery across the organisation

In this role, your primary areas of responsibility will be:

• Work with CYP on a 1:1 basis to improve behavioural and social outcomes;
• Manage a caseload of CYP effectively; 
• Plan, monitor and evaluate targeted group activities;
• Undertake assessments in order to identify CYP's strengths and barriers to progression;
• Produce action plans with CYP based on their individual needs and implement them in order to achieve outcomes;
• Involve CYP in service design;
• Provide ways for CYP to have their say in developing, delivering and evaluating services so that they are accessible, attractive and relevant for them and their families;
• Complete and review comprehensive risk assessments;
• Work within a budget;
• Maintain accurate and professional records relating to interventions with CYP using our database;
• Support, engage and maintain good working relationships with families to ensure positive outcomes for CYP;
• Liaise regularly with partners, schools, other providers, specialist support agencies and community organisations;
• To carry out the responsibilities of the role in a way which reflects commitment to safeguarding CYP in accordance with LPW policies; 
• Ensure that Child protection requirements are complied with and where appropriate reported in accordance with agreed criteria; 
• Ensure the welfare of CYP and highlight any safeguarding issues to relevant agencies;
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of legislation and opportunities relevant to CYP;
• Implement delegated tasks from LPW's strategic and operational plans;
• Any other duties that may be required from time to time. 

What you will bring to this role:

Awareness, knowledge and understanding of:

• Bristol's diverse communities;
• The effect of social and economic disadvantage on CYP;
• Issues that affect vulnerable CYP;
• Best practice in safeguarding CYP from harm;
• Other support agencies within Bristol and multi-agency processes of support for CYP;
• Best practice in promoting inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity;
• The right candidate should ideally be qualified to Level 3 or above in a discipline related to working with children e.g. Playwork

Experience of:

• Working within a similar role either paid or voluntary;
• Using a variety of information technology i.e. Microsoft Office and the ability to maintain accurate and detailed records in a case management system or database;
• Planning, delivering and evaluating outcome focused buildings and non-buildings based activities for CYP;
• Engaging and working with a wide range of CYP on a 1:1 basis and in groups to secure positive outcomes;
• Working with partners, with families and within communities to secure outcomes for CYP;
• Safeguarding CYP from harm;
• Experience of risk assessing activities;
• Promoting equality of opportunity and challenging discrimination;

The skills and ability to:

• Effectively plan and manage own caseload to achieve targets and evaluate outcomes;
• Contribute to team targets and evaluate outcomes;
• Effectively deal with challenging and confrontational situations;
• Engage and communicate effectively with CYP, parents, carers, teachers, managers and other professionals;
• Problem-solve, innovate, plan, organise, overcome barriers and implement solutions effectively;
• Provide a range of ways for CYP to have their say in their services.
• Be flexible in approach to working locations, enabling travel around Bristol;
• Be culturally competent and able to challenge inequality;
• Work effectively in a team situation and on own initiative;
• Form confident professional relationships with CYP;

Your attitude means you will have:

• Commitment to LPW vision and values;
• Commitment to developing own learning, knowledge and skills;
• Ability to work flexibly at times CYP need support, including regular evening and weekend work;
• Willingness to travel across Bristol and surrounding counties throughout the working day and week;
• Willingness to respond positively and effectively to change;
• Ability to champion and promote equality of opportunity, discrimination and stereotypical behaviours 

Reporting to:

Service Lead 

Service Manager

Accountable for:

This role has no direct reports 

With LPW you will get an opportunity to work for a community interest company that has a social mission at its core driving everything we do. In addition we have an attractive range of benefits, such as 26 days annual leave (plus a 3 day seasonal shut down at Christmas), 4% employers contribution to our pension scheme, travels loans, childcare vouchers and a cycle to work scheme. LPW is a Living Wage, and Dsiability Confident employer.