Volunteer Logistics and Support Officer - Req24341

Leeds Youth Justice Service is seeking to recruit a volunteer coordinator to recruit, train and Support volunteers to work in a wide variety of roles within the organisation. With a reputation for innovation and excellence both locally and nationally, we are one of the largest youth Justice services in the country, based in four sites across the city. Our volunteer coordinator will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of volunteer activity within Leeds YJS, including training and Supporting young people themselves to volunteer. Volunteer roles currently include mentoring and peer mentoring, advocacy work, family support, Referral Order panel work and Supporting our many group activities.

You will need show that you can work restoratively and holistically with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and demonstrate a commitment to improving young people’s outcomes and reducing levels of offending. You will be energetic and reflective, an excellent motivator and trainer, who is highly organised and with good attention to detail. You will understand the importance of safeguarding young people and risk assessment and have a positive approach to diversity. Specifically, you will need:

• Commitment to restorative working and a flexible approach, which will include working on evenings and weekends
• Experience of working with young people and understanding their support needs
• Flexibility, adaptability, energy, and the ability to work positively and creatively within a multi-agency team
• Excellent IT and organizational skills

For an informal discussion about this post please contact Karen Fawcett YJS Youth Justice Centre on reception No 0113 3782055. 

Leeds YJS has a commitment to safeguarding children and young people which is reflected in staff selection. This post is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. 

Closing date for all applications is 08.02.2024
Interviews to be held Week Commencing 19.02.2024

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. 

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates.

We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds and the communities we serve. Leeds City Council is an Inclusive employer, ranked 70 on the Stonewall top 100 employers 2023 list. We are also an Age friendly employer, a Mindful employer and a Disability Confident leader.

All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six month probationary period. 

This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK  - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

Job Description 

Job Purpose: To coordinate volunteering within Leeds Youth Justice Service with the aim of reducing offending amongst young people in the area.

Responsibilities: 

To organise and deliver effective and efficient support services to volunteers, including supervision and development systems

To develop and maintain systems which enable the effective, appropriate and creative deployment of volunteers

To promote the creative use of volunteers by Leeds Youth Justice Service, including volunteering by young people themselves

To recruit suitable volunteers from all sections of the community to work with young people known to Leeds Youth Justice Service

To support young people in volunteering roles

To support and deliver high quality volunteer training- including for panel members

To support appropriate systems regarding safeguarding children and young people 

To work promote equality and ensure diversity issues are addressed

To work in a restorative manner with volunteers, young people, colleagues and partners, with high challenge and high support 

To work co-operatively and restoratively as part of a team and participate constructively in meetings and other service developments

To develop publicity materials and use of social media for recruitment, training and Support purposes

To maintain financial recording systems appropriate for the day-to-day management of volunteering within the Service

To maintain monitoring and evaluation systems 

To take account of the environmental issues arising from any service developments

To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous development

To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required at any base within Leeds Youth Offending Service.

To assist the Panel in fulfilling their duties which will require attendance at Panel Meetings

To comply with the requirements of all Leeds Youth Justice Service and Leeds City Council policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety procedures. 

Hours: 37 hours per week. Normal office hours are between 8.00 am – 9pm Monday – Friday.  Considerable flexibility will be required for this post, including weekend working.

Equal Opportunities: Equal opportunities in the council is about making sure that everyone can fully join in the social, cultural, political and economic life of the city.   The City Council is committed to its value of Treating People Fairly; this includes our staff and the people of Leeds. We will make sure that we do not discriminate against people because of their age, impairment, ethnic origin, nationality, religious belief, social class, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, and marital status, responsibility for dependants, trade union activity or for any other unfair reason.

Health & Safety: The Council believes that ensuring the safety, health and well-being of employees, contractors, service users (including learners) and all others affected by our activities is essential to accomplishing our ambition and values. As a large employer we are committed to being an exemplar for good practice and contributing to the wider health agenda by ensuring that work doesn’t contribute to poor health, using the workplace to improve health and well-being, and Supporting our workforce to be “Happy, Healthy and Here”. We expect all employees to contribute to their own individual safety and well being and to that of others who may be affected by their actions. 

PROSPECTS: 

Promotion: Whilst no guarantee can be given to subsequent promotion, there are currently a number of higher graded posts within the Council which potentially provide the opportunity for career progression.  Any subsequent vacancies will be filled in compliance with agreed Council procedures.

Training: The Council has a positive commitment to the training and development of employees in all areas of its activities.  Similarly, employees are also expected to adopt a positive attitude to any training provided and also to their own personal development. 

Relationships: The post holder will maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within the Children and Families Directorate, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies and the general public. 

Physical Conditions: The post holder will be based at one of the Youth Justice Service’s office bases but will be expected to work flexibly within the YJS flexible working policy. Leeds City Council has a no smoking policy.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS: The post is subject to a higher-level check with the Disclosure and Barring Service.  In discharging its social services function under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, Leeds Children and Families Directorate is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975) and any applicant is obliged to disclose ALL convictions and cautions, no matter how long ago they occurred and regardless of whether the offences were committed as an adult or a young person.

Please note that a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining employment; this will depend on the circumstances and background to any offence.

PERSONAL SPECIFICATION ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements. Progression through the grades will be linked to the appraisal process and subject to you performing your key tasks to a satisfactory level, and where appropriate successful completion of examinations.

Skills required

• Ability to establish effective working relationships with volunteers and colleagues
• Ability to motivate and understand the support needs of young people
• Organisation, co-ordination and information management skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to undertake appropriate assessments regarding volunteer suitability
• Motivational skills, enthusiasm and an ability to work to deadlines
• Ability to challenge discrimination, prejudice and oppressive behaviour and work in ways which promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility
• Flexibility, adaptability, energy and the ability to work positively and creatively within a multi-agency team
• Ability to promote volunteering opportunities and achievements within Leeds YOS, including use of social media
• Ability to deliver high quality volunteer training
• Good judgement, knowing when to seek advice

Knowledge required

• Of best practice in volunteer management.
• Of the youth justice system
• Of the  principles of a child friendly city
• Of safeguarding children and young people
• Of health and safety issues
• Of the victim’s perspective, restorative approaches and issues of public confidence
• Of IT and its application to the workplace, including database development and analysis, spreadsheets, word processing, the internet and social media

Experience required

• Of volunteer recruitment, training and Support
• Of working with young people

Behavioural & Other Related Characteristics required

• Understand and embrace our values, behaviours and codes of conduct