Improvement Lead (Transitions) – The Promise - Temporary

Information

A unique opportunity to make change happen.

 

Care experienced children and young people face many transitions: they have told us how scary these times can be and how important it is for them to have someone beside them they can rely on.  

“You don’t really think you’re isolated but you are really mega isolated.”

“If somebody can build a relationship with you quick, you want them to stick around. You want them to always be there. 

CrossReach is one of Scotland’s largest voluntary social care organisations, and we are committed to implementing the Independent Care Review’s findings ‘The Promise’. As Improvement Lead, you will take forward the redesign and improvement of our transition processes and procedures, ensuring that the voices of children and young people are central to all decisions, actions and approaches. 

A key requirement of this role is to establish a ‘Design Team’ to include young people who are currently in our care, care experienced young people, adults we have supported in the past and family members of children currently looked after or previously looked after. You will also lead the planning and implementation of a range of consultation activities with young people, their families, CrossReach and local authority staff. The outcomes of which will help identify potential changes and recommendations for our services to implement.  

For this role, you will need a social services (children and young people) qualification at SCQF Level 7 or equivalent, combined with a good understanding of the Independent Care Review’s findings ‘The Promise’. We’re also looking for experience of engaging with children, young people and their families, ideally gained in the care sector, and the ability to successfully facilitate group discussions and workshops. In return, we offer a range of training and development opportunities, as well as an excellent benefits package including an employer contributory pension and generous holiday allowance.

CrossReach welcomes applicants with care experience.

This is a temporary post for one year.

For an informal chat about this opportunity, please call Paul Gilroy on  07747 766514.  Alternatively, you can find out more information and apply at www.crossreach.org.uk/careers

Closing date: 5pm Wednesday 5th May 2021.

Interviews: Week commencing 17th May.

#Crossreach

 

Main Function

CrossReach is committed to implementing the recommendations of The Independent Care Review Report (2020) - The Promise.

Key transition points we would like to improve are: BEFORE a child comes to live with us, DURING a child’s move to live with us and AFTER a child or young person has moved on from living with us.

This role will have lead responsibility for redesigning and improving our transition processes and procedures, ensuring that the VOICE of Children & Young People is central to all decisions, actions and approaches.

Main Duties

The Post holder will be able to flexibly to deliver and participate in:

• Working with senior Leadership team, establishing a ‘Design Team’ which will compromise of young people who are currently in our care and approaching the transition of leaving care, care experienced young people, adults we have supported in the past and family members of children currently looked after or previously looked after. The Design Team will also involve CrossReach staff and managers responsible for service delivery and our Who Cares?Scotalnd Link Worker.
• Planning and implementing a range of consultation activities with young people, their families, CrossReach and Local Authority Staff.
• Collating findings into an interim then a final report regarding current practice and potential changes/recommendations to implement.
• In conjunction with senior managers, form an action plan for the future which will improve the transition process, leading to improved outcomes for children and their families.
• Identifying and acting quickly on the barriers to young people during transitions (Stop-Go principles).

In addition they will have responsibility for

• Supporting Service Leader [Quality Assurance & Development] in staff development and training related to implementation of The Promise.

• Active involvement with The Promise Team including:
  • Participation in The Promise Design School
  • Membership of the relevant community of interest
  • Quarterly engagement sessions with The Promise Team focussing on knowledge sharing and diffusion of innovation
• Active engagement with The Promise Partnership including:

• Regular check ins
• Commitment to the monitoring and evaluation framework

• Provide quarterly progress report to Head of Service.
• Contribute towards an impact report which will be completed at the end of the funding year which will include lessons learned, future plans and the sustained changes made. The report will be shared with The Promise Team.

OUTCOMES

It is anticipated that the post holder will help to deliver the following outcomes:

• Children and their families tell us that they feel involved in each step of transition.
• More children, young people and their families take an active part in planning their transition.
• Children, young people and their families feel more supported during transition processes.
• Young people move on successfully.
• Children and young people tell us that relationships are protected, respected and enhanced as they move in or out of our care.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Ensure that all services are delivered in accordance with the CrossReach Policies and Procedures. Contribute to quarterly management reports and Crossreach annual Standards & Quality report in line with Health and Social Care Standards, Care Inspectorate Quality Standards and Education Scotland Quality Indicators - How Good Is Our School (4).

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

To participate in staff development programme and attend meetings, training courses and seminars as required.

To uphold professional standards equivalent to those for SSSC registration.

ADMINISTRATIVE

To ensure that all information relating to Children & Young People and their family members is kept strictly confidential in line with CrossReach Policy and the GDPR Act 2018 and to ensure that the staff that you manage also maintain this level of confidentiality.

LIAISON

To develop positive working relationships with the Care and Education Leadership Team, senior managers and external stakeholders.

To maintain close working relationships, as required, with all relevant professionals involved in the care of children, young people and their families, maintaining effective communication and co-operation with relatives and friend of children and young people.

GENERAL

Have respect for all aspects of Christian worship.

Facilitate Service Users to attend Christian worship (or worship of choice as required by the role).

Qualifications

SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 7 or equivalent relevant qualification.

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• The post holder must possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet.
• Have experience in undertaking academic research or in quality improvement.
• Confidence in facilitating and leading group discussions and workshops.
• Have the ability to engage with children and young people and their families/carers.
• Have ability to engage with professional colleagues, internal and external to CrossReach.
• Have good listening, oral and written communication skills.
• Have knowledge of ‘the care system’.
• Have good knowledge and understanding of the ICR findings The Promise Applications are particularly welcome from those with care experience.