Changing Futures Project Coordinator

**About the Work and the team you will join**

Changing Futures is a city-wide programme led by Plymouth City Council, supported by the Plymouth

Alliance and financed through a national Government initiative from the Ministry for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and the National Lottery.

The Changing Futures Programme is aimed at improving outcomes for adults experiencing multiple disadvantage - including combinations of homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse and contact with the criminal justice system.

Working with 15 local partnerships across England, Changing Futures is testing new ways of bringing together public and community sector partners to help people change their lives for the better.

The Changing Futures Plymouth Team is made up of friendly, compassionate and driven individuals who are dedicated towards improving systems and services to be kinder, more trauma informed and more accessible for those that need them most.

Improving Lives Plymouth has been commissioned to build and employ a Team of both full time and part-time Peer Mentors and Researchers with lived experience of multiple disadvantages. The team includes the Project Manager and another Project Co-Ordinator who you would work closely alongside.

The Peer Researchers are undertaking work placements in a range of local partner agencies (which support people with complex needs) gathering stories of people within the system (appreciative enquiry) within these organisations and supported by a central research team within Plymouth City Council.

Improving Lives Plymouth are taking a lead on providing personal and professional development for all the Peer Researchers and through the emergent learning this creates we are focussing on Work Force Development.

**Role Summary**

This is a dynamic and changeable role - no two days are the same.

The Project Coordinator will support the ILP Changing Futures Project Manager and the existing Project Co-ordinator with the delivery of a training plan and the ongoing professional development training plans for the team, as well as being involved in the wider working groups of the Changing Futures programme.

The coordinator will also have responsibilities for line managing some of Peer Researchers.

You will support the development of bespoke personal development programmes for each Peer Researcher to ensure they are fully able to maintain their roles.

This could include delivering training to the team, assistance with securing stable accommodation, access to healthcare, health and well-being advice, benefits advice, personal and social development skills, understanding professional cultures, ongoing employment search.

The Project Coordinator will attend Changing Futures inter-agency partnership meetings and events, facilitate community listening conversations and support local task and finish projects as and when required and deputise for the Project Manager in their absence.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Support the Improving Lives Plymouth Changing Futures Project Manager, to lead, support and develop the team of Peer Researchers
- Provide both group training and 1-2-1 emotional and practical advice to the Peer Researchers
- Support weekly (Tuesday) Peer Researcher group supervision team meetings in partnership with the Project Manager.
- Provide support as required to placement provider agencies and supervisors.
- Deputise for the Improving Lives Changing Futures Project Manager in their absence.
- Support the development of bespoke personal development action plans for each peer researcher that considers their life circumstances and their stage of recovery from complex needs.
- These action plans will be holistic and consider all factors that support them to maintain employment now and for the future. (Accommodation/Benefits/Budgeting/Health and Well-Being/Family and Relationships/Transport/Clothing/Attitude/Thinking Skills, etc.)
- Develop long-term employability exit plans for each peer researcher.
- Undertake any admin support required.
- Attend all Changing Futures multi-agency meetings and events as required.

**Person Specification**
- Understanding of (ACEs) Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Understanding of Trauma-based interventions and support.
- Experience in supporting people with complex lives and needs including mental health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, homelessness, and involvement with the criminal justice system.
- Strong understanding of the wider health, social and economic determinates that impact people with complex needs.
- Experience of planning, creating and delivering group training.
- Broad knowledge of wider systems that affect benefits/accommodation/NHS primary and secondary care/adult social care/ etc.
- Strong understanding of safeguarding
- Commitment and understanding of Co-production principles
- Experience in co-designing and co-delivering training programmes with a particular emphasis on employability.
- Strong I.T.