women in london

Responsible to: Manager (CAST)
Hours of work: 35 hours per week, some evening or weekend work may be required from time to time for which time off in lieu will be given.
Salary: £27,500 p.a

In accordance with The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 Section 7 (2)(e) we will only accept applications for this post from female candidates.

CAST offers a holistic service of education, training and employment advice and support to vulnerable women with a history of offending, women at risk of offending and women with mental health or substance misuse problems. Our aim is to help women build new lives within their communities, specifically:
· To help women increase their skills and knowledge.
· To help women engage in education, training, voluntary work and employment.
· To enable women to improve their health and well being.
· To support women to increase confidence and self-esteem.
· To reduce re-offending.

Purpose of the post

To support and promote the social inclusion of CAST students through the provision of support for attendance at CAST courses, assisting service users to access external sources of support through signposting, referrals and advocacy. The post holder will assist the Manager in the planning and delivery of services including scheduling, documentation and record keeping course timetable and social events.

Job objectives:

1. To be responsible for a caseload of service users to whom you will provide high quality client support to

2. To provide confidential, client-focused advice and guidance to students and support them as they progress to raise aspirations, build confidence and self esteem.

3. To set up and maintain effective partnerships with external organisations to signpost clients and establish progression routes

4. To Build effective relationships with women; to encourage them to identify and respond to their needs, interests and personal development; and to provide guidance and support to enable them to deal with a wide range of issues affecting their lives

5. To conduct monitoring and evaluation in line with agreed quality standards and funding requirements

6. To review and develop personal work practices in line with quality standards to ensure the best possible service is provided to CAST students

Main Activities And Responsibilities

1. To support and promote the social inclusion of CAST students by:

a. Carrying out initial basic skills assessments and ensuring Action Plans are put in place for all students
b. Liaising with Tutors and the Development Worker to monitor progress of individual students while encouraging and referring students to other activities and services.
c. Accompanying students to meetings and appointments if necessary, supporting students to complete applications, following up referrals and supporting students to move on when ready
d. Monitoring student progression against goals and Individual learning plans providing practical support to improve these areas where necessary
e. Providing appropriate advice, information and advocacy to students with mental health, drugs or alcohol misuse support needs, including referring students to specialist agencies
f. Organising social events for students

2. To assist with services and projects development planning through:

a. Undertaking appropriate outreach activities
b. Advertising courses and social events through student bulletins
c. Accompanying the Manager to meetings with potential referral sources
d. Developing and maintaining a database of potential referral agencies and service providers
e. Attendance at marketing, promotional and networking events in order to raise the profile of CAST as required in consultation with the Manager
f. Assisting the Manager in the design and scheduling of new programmes of learning

3. To conduct monitoring and evaluation in line with agreed quality standards and other internal and funding requirements

a. Ensuring that information required for funding and other contractual or internal requirements is gathered recorded and kept up to date and appropriate databases are used.
b. Preparing monitoring and evaluation reports when required and contributing to the fundraising applications as required.
c. Development of a network of contacts and working relationships with relevant statutory services and voluntary sector agencies in consultation with the Manager
d. Contributing to the maintenance of monitoring and evaluation systems
e. Maintaining required records of meetings, reviews and other documentation, ensuring compliance with the Data Protection and Freedom of Information Acts

4. To review and develop personal work practices in line with quality standards to ensure the best possible service is provided to CAST students

a. Continuously reviewing own working practice in line with client, staff and management feedback and current best practice to identify strengths and areas for development
b. Contributing to marketing and publicity activities to raise the profile of services provided by CAST and other relevant charitable or outreach work undertaken
c. Undertaking development and training opportunities where appropriate and being responsible for obtaining maximum benefit through review, reflection and practice
d. Maintaining up to date knowledge of the professional area
e. Attendance as required at CAST sub-committee and management meetings relevant to this post
f. Working at all times within CAST’s policy, procedures and performance expectations.
g. Undertaking as required any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by the Manager.

To download more details and an application form go to http://www.castwomen.org.uk/contact.html

Closing date is the 6th July 2011