Programme Support Officer

Contract type:

Programme Support Officer (Youthscape Plus) x2

Full time, Fixed Term Contract until May 2028 with the possibility of extension.

Responsible to:

Youthscape Plus Programme Development and Delivery Manager

Job Purpose:

The post holders will be responsible for participant recruitment, initial assessment, designing and delivering a programme of tailored support to address individuals’ barriers to progression; utilising a detached youth work model. The tailored support will include a programme to address the five core programme outcomes: Good Relations, Citizenship, Personal Development, Employability and Positive Progression. The post holders will collaborate to design and deliver this programme.

Location:

To be confirmed with successful candidate, however due to the nature of work within the College, it is anticipated that travel to all campus sites may be required. Campuses are situated in Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon and Cookstown. (Dependant on future developments, the College may reserve the right to relocate staff to other Campuses of South West College).

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Support the Programme Development and Delivery Manager in the development and implementation of an Operational Plan ensuring the efficient and effective discharge of the Youthscape Plus programme in the appropriate region.

Support the Programme Development and Delivery Manager in the development and implementation of a recruitment and marketing strategy to ensure stakeholders and potential participants are made aware of the opportunities available through the Youthscape Plus programme.

To lead the direct recruitment of young people to the project in the designated base area.

To manage a caseload of participants on the Youthscape Plus programme; providing 1:1 support, guidance and mentoring to participants identifying and addressing barriers to progression thus maximising retention.

To undertake with participants an agreed induction, initial assessment, action planning and progress review methodology that efficiently and effectively identifies and addresses barriers to progression.

To identify, where necessary, the appropriate internal and external specialist support inputs required by participants and to make referrals and monitor progress against agreed development priorities.

Support participant development across the contract area including developing resources, sharing good practice with colleagues, leading workshops and providing 1:1 support that will assist participants across the contract area.

Develop, design, deliver and evaluate staff CPD activities to develop capacity among staff.

Engage with internal and external specialist support providers to arrange group thematic support interventions for participants.

Support participants with specialist careers advice and guidance in preparation for and during the transition phase.

Create a welcoming and stimulating learning environment for young people participating in the Youthscape Plus programme.

Engage young people in a co-design process to inform the development and delivery of a range of provision and services, which develops young people in the five key outcome areas of Good Relations, Citizenship, Personal Development, Employability and Positive Progression.

Deliver and evaluate accredited provision which develops young people in the key outcome areas of Good Relations, Citizenship, Personal Development, Employability and Positive Progression.

Harness a range of tools and facilitation techniques to engage and stimulate young people promoting active learning in the Youthscape Plus programme.

Attend external programme activities including residentials supervising the young people participating, ensuring all necessary risk assessments and documentation have been completed.

Engage actively (weekly monthly) in the review of the programme, ensuring the key programme targets or indicators are agreed and achieved and provide reports for management.

Support, actively promote and engage with the Youth forum to help ensure participants fully engage to help shape the Youthscape Plus programme.

Implement contractual arrangements for administration of the Youthscape Plus programme, to include the preparation and review of participant records enrolment, registration, qualification claiming documentation and tracking of progression and achievement.

Promote and raise the profile of the programme with all appropriate internal and external stakeholders, to include delivering events and seminars in the target areas, to raise awareness and target participants.

Comply with all agreed operational and administrative policies and procedures ensuring compliance with programme guidelines.

Populate the College’s EBS systems, including performance management system, in a timely basis.

Support College Management and Programme Development and Delivery Manager in preparation for audits and inspections.

Refer or signpost any safeguarding issues to appropriate College Safeguarding Officer.

Engage and support young people in a range of settings including operating a detached youth outreach model.

Refer Youthscape Plus leavers to agreed positive progression pathways supporting, monitoring, and tracking progress post progression.

General Responsibilities

The post holder is expected:

• To promote and raise the profile of the College and the services it provides to the local business and civic community

• To ensure full compliance with health and safety requirements and legislation in accordance with College policies and procedures

• To comply with and actively promote College policies and procedures on all aspects of equality

• To contribute to College quality assurance schemes

• At all times to observe all internal College policies and procedures

• To act in standby support of general administration duties as required for example cover evenings, registrations, receive callers

• To take responsibility for the receipt, safe handling and recording of monies as directed

• This job description is not prescriptive and the post holder may be expected to undertake other duties appropriate to the grade as may be assigned by the Chief Executive or her nominated officer(s)

This job description is intended to indicate the broad range of responsibilities and requirements of the post. It is neither exhaustive nor prescriptive. It is anticipated that the post holder will assume additional responsibilities as and when new projects and or areas of focus for the College develop. The College reserves the right, in consultation with the post holder, to amend the job description to meet the changing needs of the College.

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant Level 5 qualification

• GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade A to C or equivalent

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in youth, community or education engaging in outreach activities with marginalized young people to support their transition onto education and development programmes

• A minimum of 1 years experience of developing, implementing and reviewing an initial assessment and development planning strategy for disengaged young people

• A minimum of 1 year experience of providing effective advice and guidance on progression routes to young people

• Minimum of 1 year experience supporting young people engaging with specialist support providers

• Excellent communication and ICT skills

• Team and flexible approach with ability to work in various locations upon request with a focus on team service and performance

• Possess or be willing to work towards a recognized and accredited youth work, coaching or mentoring qualification within 1 year of appointment

General

A full current driving licence which enables you to drive in Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland and have access to a car for official business purposes

Terms and Conditions

Salary:

Band 5 Scale Points 20 to 25 (£32,597 to £36,363) per annum, commencing £32,597

Contract Type:

Full time, Fixed Term Contract until May 2028 with the possibility of extension

Hours of work:

36 hours per week

Location:

To be confirmed with successful candidate, however due to the nature of work within the College, it is anticipated that travel to all campus sites may be required. Campuses are situated in Enniskillen, Omagh, Dungannon and Cookstown. (Dependant on future developments, the College may reserve the right to relocate staff to other Campuses of South West College).

Terms and Conditions:

All terms and conditions of employment for this post are as laid down by the Association of NI Colleges non teaching negotiations committees and are drawn from the conditions of service for NJC for local authorities staff

Holiday Entitlement:

12 public holidays plus 24 days rising to 31 days after 5 years continuous service

Pension:

The post holder will automatically be enrolled in the NILGOSC pension scheme that offers a range of benefits commensurate with public sector pension schemes

Other benefits:

Comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Staff Wellbeing Programme, Cycle to Work and Tech Schemes, Benenden Healthcare, Occupational maternity, paternity and adoption leave, carers leave, flexible working, hybrid working, training and development