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FREE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER (Past issues)

Past issues of our free monthly newsletter which is useful for ALL of those working or wishing to work with young people. We respond to queries and requests and examples to date have included pay scales, qualification equivalents, sample job descriptions and a debate in services for young people. Please sign up below

CAREERS AND QUALIFICATIONS
UNIONS - why? How much?
GROUP CONSTITUTION - a model constitution
JOB APPLICATIONS - tips for writing job applications
JOB DESCRIPTION & PERSON SPECIFICATION - sample youth work job description and person spec
CONNEXIONS - WHAT'S YOUR VIEW?
Qualification equivalent & Locally qualified / unqualified pay scales

Welcome to the May newsletter.
We have been delivering training in the last few weeks, which has given us the chance to meet many new faces. The main questions that have been coming up are regarding how can I get into .... and what qualifications do I need? There is a lot of confusion as to what each qualification means and what it entitles you to do. We hope it will be valuable for some of you if we outline some of the abbreviations and some of the career routes and entry requirements for youth worker and youth offending team officers. In our next newsletter we will cover housing and connexions.
Here goes:

Youth Work - JNC qualification - named after the Joint Negotiating Committee of employers and unions that created it. Youth workers, also known as youth and community workers, are usually employed by a local authority's education department. There are opportunities for qualified youth workers in settings such as social services departments, the health service and the leisure industry.
Youth work is about helping young people fulfil their potential. It involves working with them on personal and social development and making sure that the most appropriate and accessible service is provided for everyone, although young people's involvement is voluntary.

You need:

* an understanding of young people, sensitivity, respect for individuals, an open mind, able to listen and advise . The qualification gives access to a pay level and set of conditions developed specifically for youth work . Almost all full-time youth work jobs offered by local government, and many by "not for profit organisations", are JNC jobs that require this qualification and pay scale.
*Youth work is recognised as a distinct career choice, separate from teaching or social work.
*Around 50% of youth workers work in fields outside the youth service

Entry Requirements:
* Full-time youth workers normally need to have a professional qualification, however relevant experience is invaluable.
* Full-time courses include two-year diplomas 3 year degree courses and one-year postgraduate courses. (Applicants for undergraduate and diploma courses usually need at least five GCSEs/S grades (A*-C) or equivalent Some courses specify particular subjects and grades. Please check with individual institutions.)
* Part-time courses, including a distance learning course, are also available.
* People without qualifications will be accepted often for part time employment and may be offered locally based training.
* Experience eg voluntary work is highly respected and often an alternative route

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The role of Youth Offending Team Officers, also known as Youth Justice workers or Social Workers (Youth Offending), is to prevent young people from committing crime and to help offenders and their parents or guardians/carers to look at the possible causes of their behaviour. They work with young people - 10-18 year olds. In England and Wales, Youth Offending Teams are multi-agency made up of staff seconded from social services, police, health, probation, youth service, connexions and education. Scotland does not generally have Youth Offending Teams. However, there are Children and Families Teams that support children who have offended, and Criminal Justice Teams that support older teenagers who come before the adult court.

Duties include:
* providing a service to the Youth Court by preparing pre-sentence reports and supervising community sentences for young people who have been arrested. Pre-sentence reports involve researching the young person's background: talking with them, their parent/carer/guardian, school teachers and employer or training provider.
* Workers supervise young people, challenging their attitude and behaviour around offending and making them aware of the victim's perspective. They might involve them in constructive activities or help them get a job or training.

Entry Requirements
*A degree in Social Work or equivalent, is often the minimum entry requirement. Some employers accept nationally recognised youth work or teaching qualifications.
* Experience of working with young people through the childcare or criminal justice system and a sound knowledge of both childcare and youth justice legislation can be an advantage.
* The degree in social work is approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). . From 2003, professional qualifying training for social workers in England changed to a degree in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC).
* The diploma in social work and all other predecessor social work qualifications will continue to be recognised as valid social work qualifications. The previous professional qualification, the Diploma in Social Work (DipSW), is still recognised as a valid social work qualification.
*Those wishing to pursue a degree in social work will need GCSEs (or equivalent) in English and Mathematics at grade C or above. Although universities will set their own conditions of entrance, possible useful A-level (or equivalent) subjects would be law, sociology or psychology. Vocational GCSEs and A-level subjects may also be useful.
* Experience eg voluntary work is highly respected and lead an alternative route.

We try to answer all your queries personally so please be patient if there are delays.
Take care
Jo & Rose
j4yw

UNIONS- why? How much?

Hello all

We have apologies to make.
Firstly for this newsletter being late - one of us has just had a baby so while she's on maternity leave we're doing our best to keep up -
please come back soon!!
We've also been having problems with our website host and so the website was down for a while last week. There was nothing we could do except maybe change our host!
The subject of today's newsletter is unions. We've been asked which one to join? why should I bother and what can they do for me? We can't recommend a union because it's genuinely down to the individual. However we have taken information from two unions which we believe to
be most relevant to the work we do with young people.

CYWU Community and youth workers union

CONTACT DETAILS:
The best way to contact CYWU is in person at Branch level, details of your local Branch Officers can be obtained from:
National Office on 0121 244 3344.
website address www.cywu.org.uk

Cost to join:

Salary	Annual fee
£1-1500	£10.85
£1501-3000	£20.85
£3001-5000	£40.00
£5001-8000	£61.66
£8001-11000	£85.00
£11001-15000	£111.66
£15001-20000	£138.33
£20001-24000	£166.68
£24001-28000	£220.00
£28000+	£225.00

(Students: Free membership if you are earning below £2000 from youth play and community work per annum. Unemployed: £5.00 Retired: £5.00)

"Whether you are a volunteer, part time worker or full time worker or officer in the youth, community and play work sectors anywhere in Britain or Ireland, CYWU is the union for you. By building a strong union for the staff we can help protect the essential services for young people and communities that we provide. We can raise the profile of the work members do and the investment in services to children, young people and communities. CYWU is also the union for all new personal advisers in the Youth Support Services."

"We are a small friendly union with all the benefits and services and legal protections offered by massive unions plus some more on top. In
CYWU your voice counts. We seek to protect every member and any issue you want to raise on whatever subject will be treated seriously. We have a brilliant record in defending members at work. Our experience has been built up over 60 years. We also offer hundreds of free, accredited training courses on all aspects of the world of work and trade unions to help develop your interests and raise your qualifications."

"We represent youth play and community workers on a range of national and regional and local bodies and through our representative structures you can make a difference. CYWU has a range of publications to assist you in your daily working practice.
www.cywu.org.uk

UNISON

CONTACT DETAILS:

UNISON head office is at: UNISON 1 Mabledon Place London WC1H 9AJ
Telephone: 0845 355 0845

website address:www.unison.org.uk

Cost to join

Band	Income	Weekly sub	Monthly sub
A	up to 2,000	0.30	1.30
B	2,001-5,000	0.81	3.50
C	5,001-8,000	1.22	5.30
D	8,001-11,000	1.52	6.60
E	11,001-14,000	1.81	7.85
F	14,001-17,000	2.24	9.70
G	17,001-20,000	2.65	11.50
H	20,001-25,001	3.23	14.00
I	25,001-30,000	3.98	17.25
J	30,001-35,000	4.68	20.30
K	35,001+	5.19	22.50

"What we do: UNISON is working for the development of youth and community services which: Are well funded and adequately staffed by a properly paid and trained workforce Involve young people in their design Ensure equality of access and meet diverse needs
UNISON lobbies and campaign actively on a wide range of professional concerns.
We represent youth and community workers in the annual national negotiations on pay and conditions: see our pay and conditions section"

Education and training: offers a wide range of learning opportunities, which range from basic skills through to professional level qualifications

A unique service providing support exclusively for UNISON members and dependants at times of special need. There is also a free and
confidential debt advice referral scheme

UNISON provides expert legal advice and services, including free assistance with problems at work and an extended package of legal
services for members and their families

Low cost insurance and financial offers, discounted computers, the exclusive UNISON Holiday Club, funeral services and much more!

Full members are entitled to benefits paid out on: death, accident, fatal accident, permanent incapacity and partial incapacity. Education
and training grants are also available. In order to qualify for legal help you need to: Have been a UNISON member at least 13 weeks before realising you need legal help Be up-to-date with your membership subscriptions" unison
www.unison.org.uk/benefits/index.asp

What ever you decide to do remember unions in general will not be able to give legal help until you've been a member for a specified period.

Please keep the questions coming. If you're getting an Easter break we hope you enjoy it - if not we hope you enjoy it!!
Take care
Jo & Rose
j4yw

Hope things are going well.
This month our main item is a model constitution. It can be adapted for any youth or community group and is acceptable for groups who may need a constitution when applying for funding.

a) Membership of the Group shall be open to anyone without regards to disability, political or religious affiliation, race, sex or sexual orientation who is interested in helping the Group to achieve its aim

a) The Group shall be administered by a Management Committee of not less than ? individuals elected at the Group`s Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.).

b) The Officers of the Management Committee shall be: the Chairperson, the Treasurer and the Secretary.

c) The Management Committee may co-opt onto the Committee, up to ? individuals, in an advisory and non-voting capacity that it feels will help to fulfil the aim of the Group.

e) At least three Management Committee members must be present for a Management Committee meeting to take place.

f) Voting at Management Committee meetings shall be by a show of hands. If there is a tied vote then the Chairperson shall have a second vote.

a) The duties of the Chairperson shall be to: - Chair meetings of the Committee and the Group - represent the Group at functions/meetings that the Group has been invited to and - act as the spokesperson of the Group when necessary.

b)The duties of the Secretary shall be to: - keep a membership list - prepare in consultation with the Chairperson the agenda for meetings of the Committee and the Group - take and keep minutes of all meetings and - collect and circulate any relevant information within the Group.

c) The duties of the Treasurer shall be to: - supervise the financial affairs of the Group and - keep proper accounts that show all monies received and paid out by the Group.

a) All monies received by or on behalf of the Group shall be applied to further the aim of the Group and for no other purpose.

c) Any cheques issued shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other nominated member of the Management Committee.

d) The Group shall ensure that its accounts are audited or independently examined every year.

b) All members shall be given at least fourteen days notice of the A.G.M. and shall be entitled to attend and vote.

c) The business of the A.G.M. shall include: - receiving a report from the Chairperson on the Group`s activities over the year - receiving a report from the Treasurer on the finances of the Group - electing a new Management Committee and - considering any other matter as may be decided.

d) At least ? members must be present for the Annual General Meeting and any other General Meeting to take place.

10) Special General Meeting. A Special General Meeting may be called by the Management Committee or ? members to discuss an urgent matter. The Secretary shall give all members fourteen days notice of any Special General Meeting together with notice of the business to be discussed.

11) Alterations to the Constitution. Any changes to this Constitution must be agreed by at least two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting.

12) Dissolution. The Group may be wound up at any time if agreed by two-thirds of those members present and voting at any General Meeting. In the event of winding up any assets remaining after all debts have been paid shall be given to another Group with a similar aim.

Until the first A.G.M. takes place the persons whose names, addresses and signatures appear at the bottom of this document shall act as the Management Committee referred to in this constitution.

Our debate on young peoples services - specifically Connexions - is now going to be drawn to a conclusion as the future of Connexions is high profile at the moment. We thought we should refer you to articles from TES and Young People Now - in case you are unaware of the situation - as no matter what our views are on the service it seems it will inevitably change.

Please continue to contact us with queries or requests for information.
Take care and have a good month - at least the evenings are beginning to get longer!

As predicted this one is a little late partly due to festivities and returning to work syndrome! Welcome to all our new subscribers the numbers have gone up dramatically and so can only assume people at least don't object to what we write in the newsletter!!

The debate on services for young people trickles on and we hope that’s due to the holiday season and not apathy. To inspire you here are a few quotes we've received:

"The PA'S working in Connexions are excellent, I rely on them for referrals and ongoing support for the Young people I work with. Without them my job would be a lot harder"

"I work for Connexions and find the pressures to place young people in employment or training is immense. Often the placements aren't appropriate for the young person but we have to be seen to reducing the number of unemployed. How can this be meaningful and where does this sit regarding addressing their needs."

"I wish you lot out there who complain about us would get of our case we do a b+++++ good job"

Please keep opinions coming and if you've got a service for young people you would like to debate let us know

Last month we published a sample job description and person specification - For those who haven't seen it its placed on our newsletter page on the website. This month we thought it would be useful to look at applying for a job like this.

1. Do you meet most of the essential criteria within the person specification – if they ask for JNC qualification ensure the level of your qualification is appropriate At least 2 years experience of working with young people within a community setting 1-2-1 / group work etc - tell them you have and again illustrate with examples

2. When filling out applications make sure you have mentioned each of the criteria you meet. E.g.. Skills: An understanding of the issues facing young people - don't just say I understand the issues facing young people go on to state what they are and then always illustrate with examples. Use bullet points with an example and don’t write an essay. NEVER assume the employer knows anything about you e.g. “It must be obvious I am IT literate because my letter of application was done on the computer” - not so! or “must be able to travel around the area” just because you have a license doesn’t mean you have a car and can drive or get to a place that is to inaccessible by public transport

3. At the end of the application form it often asks for reasons for applying for jobs or any further details and may say please use extra sheets if necessary – THIS IS AN INVITATION TO DO SO – this is where you write your letter of application. We suggest writing in that box “please see sheets attached” REMEMBER POINT 2. illustrate with examples

4.Use bullet points with an example and don’t write an essay. It needs to flow and not jump all over the place - If you're shortlisting 100 applications you don't have time to keep going back to see if you've missed something.

6. Hand written applications are ok as long as your writing is very clear and easy to read. Short listing panels get very bored and if they can’t quickly read the application they will move on and valid points may be missed.

7. Only send CV’s if they are requested. Under equal opportunities a CV will be disregarded if they haven’t been requested. It may contain crucial info but will be disregarded.

We appreciate that sucking eggs may spring to mind but if you are shortlisting or applying for jobs hopefully this will make life easier for at least some of you.

Hello all,
Last month we wanted to open a debate about services for young people initially focusing on connexions (see november issue on the website). We were surprised by the response but we've decided to let it run for a bit longer. Many of you have strong views on the subject but we need some more positive comments to have a good debate. We know there are views on both sides so please keep them all coming and we hope to publish views in the new year - please remember all personal details are confidential unless you specifically requested otherwise.

This month we've had a lot of people wanting project / youth worker job descriptions. Below is a generic youth work post job description which we hope you can modify for your own needs, we also think it may be useful for those of you applying for jobs to have an idea what people look for. A person specification is included and next moth we will go through applying for jobs and what a panel looks for.It will also be useful for those of you new to interviewing/shortlisting.

Location: Anytown – Salary Scale: SCP X - Y Qualified /Unqualified

Responsible to: Manager

2. Job Summary To co-ordinate and lead the delivery of Anytown project locally. To ensure that it delivers high quality opportunities to socially excluded / at risk young people, relevant to their needs and capabilities.

Co-ordinate the programme within the framework of the successful funding bid/s (see attached information if relevant) - leading the local staff team to develop and implement the above programme.
Organise, design & deliver a range of activities and opportunities for, to & with young people and staff – this will involve some evening work and occasional weekends .
Ensure that the project promotes & reflects equality of opportunity, at all levels.
Deliver 1-2-1 and group sessions with young people.
Co-ordinate the recruitment and induction of young people .
Ensure effective feedback mechanisms are in place for young people to contribute to project development.
Line manage & supervise: · The part-time /full time/ Volunteers,
Be responsible for the effective running of the local team.
Liaise with Partner Agency's
Liaise effectively with other agencies in a range of areas, including; referrals agency, input to the programme, resource sharing etc. Where appropriate, the worker will represent the project at local networks, events and meetings.
Present progress reports as required.
Maintain effective working relationships with members of organisation, Anytown Partner Agency's, and the staff of statutory and other voluntary agencies.
Be actively involved in national support and development groups.
Ensure the collection, entry and return of information as required monitoring & evaluation.
Ensure local administrative & financial systems are effectively maintained.
Staff need to be flexible and work as a team. From time to time this will involve tasks outside of the regular Main Duties, shown above. If any such tasks become a regular part of an employee's activities, they will be added to the job description (by negotiation with the post-holder through supervision / annual appraisal procedures).

4. General Terms of Reference In carrying out the above activities the (Full time)Project / Youth worker will:
Seek to improve his/her own performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.
Keep abreast of developments in services and legislation for young people relevant to the tasks and responsibilities.
Be responsible locally for ensuring the good practice and compliance of the project with all policies, in particular: Equal Opportunities, Health & Safety, Complaints Confidentiality.

A recognized professional qualification in a child-care related field such as social work, youth and community or education is essential.

Experience:

At least 2 years experience of working with young people within a community setting 1-2-1 / group work etc

You will have experience of working with children/young people in crisis which includes a sound knowledge of Child Protection issues.

You will have experience of managing staff. Above all, you will have vision to build an innovative child practice.

Ability to organise and develop programme of activities, residentials and workshops as appropriate.

Be able to work as part of a team and have the ability to work under pressure and with own initiatives.

Please keep your comments and suggestions coming we rely on them for generating this newsletter. Have a great christmas and hope you get some kind of break from work.(Next months issue will be couple of days late).

Hello
Here we are again now Jo is on holiday! - We would hate you to think we live our lives on holiday, no matter how it appears we don't!
We thought it would be good to start a debate about services for young people. This month we've chosen connexions.
Below we've included some text from connexions website and results of a survey in June 2003 - these are intended to get the ball rolling.

CONNEXIONS - WHAT'S YOUR VIEW?
Connexions is the government's support service for all young people aged 13 to 19 in England. The service aims to provide integrated advice, guidance and access to personal development opportunities for this group and to help them make a smooth transition to adulthood and working life. The success of Connexions depends on the involvement of young people - listening to and taking account of their views in the design and delivery of Connexions will be essential. Connexions joins up the work of six government Departments and their agencies and organisations on the ground, together with private and voluntary sector groups and youth and careers services. It brings together all the services and support young people need during their teenage years. It offers practical help with choosing the right courses and careers, including access to broader personal development through activities like sport, performing arts and volunteering activities. It will also provide help and advice on issues like drug abuse, sexual health and homelessness.
(extract taken from website 'Connexions - the best start in life for every young person')

(Survey results leave advisers smiling 26 June 2003) EXTRACT FROM WEBSITE 'Zero2Nineteen'
Anne Weinstock describes the feedback gained by Connexions from its first major survey of young people who have used the service. The first fully independent customer satisfaction survey on Connexions has just been completed. Over 16,000 young people with experience of Connexions were asked about the service and its role in helping them make decisions. The results have been pleasing: 91 per cent of users reported feeling satisfied or very satisfied with the service; 90 per cent felt that Connexions had a lot to offer young people; 86 per cent felt that it helped them to understand all the options available to them; and 68 per cent even felt that it had helped them make life-changing decisions.

(Survey by BMRB Social Research - May 2003) PUPILS URGED TO INFORM ON PROBLEM PARENTS H. Hague The Daily Telegraph, October 14th 2002, p. 1
Pupils are being encouraged to disclose sensitive information about their parents to the government to help discover why they might be failing at school. Details of problems such as drink and drug abuse, depression and domestic rows would be sought by advisers. The data are gathered, without parental consent, by the Connexions Service, which supplies careers and personal advisers to schools.

We want positive and negative responses and intend to publish samples in the next newsletter (all names and address will be in confidence unless requested otherwise) We've posed the following questions to provoke responses from you
Do you think Connexions workers are under pressure to be all things to all people or is it positively challenging and enhances your professional development?
Do your views or experience mirror the survey results?
Is this service providing what it was intend for or created another tier of service for young people to go through i.e. just another agency involved in the young persons life?
Young people are expected to engage voluntarily but connexions has very stringent targets to be met e.g. around "NEETS" so whose needs are being met?
Has this agency alienated itself or does it compliment other services e.g. the youth service?
Please let us know your thoughts. We want debate to open up but as self delegated chairs voted in by the usual democratic procedures this will not reflect our personal views.
It's hard to believe but the next newsletter will be in December so no doubt considering holidays again!
Don't work too hard
Jo & Rose

This is going to be a brief one due to one of us going on holiday. We've had loads of requests for qualifaction equivalents and payscales for youth and community work. We personally think this is a very dull but necessary subject so here it is anyway.

Level 5: Qualification - Postgraduate Higher Education: MA - Level 5 NVQ

Level 4: Qualification - Undergraduate Higher Education Foundation Degree, Dip HE, leading on to BA - Level 4 NVQ (a)

Level 3: GCE/A Level - Vocational A Level(Advanced GNVQ)(Previously NYA RAMPcertificate (b) - Level 3 NVQ

((a) JNC has yet to recognise NVQ 4 as a national professional qualification (b) RAMPs were deemed equivalent to this level but were not eligible for use within the NQF)

There are two levels of formal qualification recognised by the JNC Locally qualified - part-time workers and volunteers. Training provided via local authorities and two national voluntary youth organisations, accredited and moderated by Regional Accreditation and Moderation Panels (RAMPs). finished in July 2003. From this date the appropriate qualification for locally qualified status under JNC will be Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQs) and new National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) at Level 2 and Level 3. These VRQs/NVQs are aimed at all those involved in youth work. The Level 2 award is for individuals working directly with young people in a variety of settings. The Level 3 award is aimed at those working in front-line services, but who are also likely to be responsible for others and involved in the development and promotion of their organisation. Nationally qualified - training provided by higher education institutions and professionally validated by The NYA. A full list is available on the training/ course section of our website.

Level 1: [Four 4 point scale for locally qualified workers]
1- £11823,
2-(bar point for unqualified)- £12315,
3- £12807
4- £13305
5- £13800
6- £14295
7- £14793

Level 2 [Three 9 point scales for locally qualified workers]
1- £12138
2-[Bar point for unqualified]£12684
3- £13488
4- £14181
5- £14904
6- £15651
7- £16416
8- £17190
9- £17994
10-£18798
11-£19629

Level 3 [Four 4 point scales for locally qualified workers]
1[Bar point for unqualified]£19629
2- £20202
3- £20793
4-£21378
5-£21966
6-£22548
7-£23133

We're sure it's as clear as mud! (these levels of pay may not be exact). Please keep your queries coming or anything you wish us to discuss.
See you next month
Jo & Rose
J4yw

© www.jobs4youthwork.co.uk all material in use on this site is copyrighted by the owner you may not reproduce, edit and copy any content from this website without prior permission of jobs4youthwork. jobs4youthwork would like to thank Niall Carson at Countryside Job Service.