This post is funded by the Whole Family Well-being Fund made possible by the Scottish Government. As such the project will follow the National Principles of Holistic Whole Family Support; The Promise; and the Scottish Government’s conditions for Whole Family Wellbeing Funding.

Role Purpose

The New Roots Schools Project Worker will play a vital role in delivering a pilot project supporting Primary and Secondary pupils with Additional Support Needs. Many of these pupils often find attending school difficult, especially since Covid. You will deliver a food growing project with small groups of students.

This role offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people and their families by providing therapeutic group activities in a safe outdoor setting.

Key Responsibilities

1. Programme Delivery:

a) Plan and deliver a single block of support focussed on promoting wellbeing in the context of food growing, to targeted schools in a rolling programme, including school holidays and Saturday family sessions.

b) the Project will be delivered to 6 young people at each session with 4 sessions a week, to a maximum of 24 families in total.

c) the Project will work with children and young people from the following groups;

• children or young people with an additional support need or learning disability
• children or young people at a point of transition in their school lives; and
• children or young people experiencing emotional based school avoidance or exhibiting distressed behaviours.

2. Targeting of Project

The project will be targeted as follows:

a) Two Primary Schools and Two Secondary Schools;

b) Focussed on 9-11 and 15-18 year olds.

3. Project Aims

The Project aims are a follows:

a) To work with Primary and Secondary school pupils with emotional based school avoidance or additional needs.

b) To use outdoor settings and food growing activities to promote mental and physical wellbeing.

c) To reduce levels of stress and anxiety that participants may be experiencing due to additional learning needs.

d) To increase young people’s ability to communicate effectively.

e) To promote feelings of self-esteem and team working within the school link projects; and

f) To signpost participants and their families to other relevant 3rd sector organisations.

4. Monitoring and Reporting:

a) Maintain accurate records of all activities, sessions, and outcomes to meet project requirements. Targets/milestones will demonstrate improvements in participants’ well-being through analysis of evaluation and feedback

b) Contribute to the evaluation of the project by providing evidence of impact and success stories.

c) Participate in team meetings and contribute to the development of new ideas and initiatives.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience of working with young people and/or families in a supportive role.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Understanding mental health challenges faced by young people and families
• Commitment to promoting inclusivity and sustainability in all aspects of the project.
• Access to a vehicle and a full driving licence

Desirable:

• Qualifications in youth work, social work, or a related field.
• Experience in delivering workshops or group activities to school age pupils.
• Knowledge of local services and networks within East Dunbartonshire
• Experience with monitoring and reporting on project outcomes.