The Children’s Society is a leading children’s charity committed to making childhood better. We work with children across the country, providing the right support at the right time. We commissioned The Good Childhood® Inquiry; the UK’s first independent national inquiry into childhood. Its aims were to renew society’s understanding of modern childhood and to inform, improve and inspire all our relationships with children

The Art Room Children’s Centre provides support for children from conception to 8 years, and their families. We work in partnership with parents to give children the best start in life through opportunities for play, family learning and access to a wide range of services.

Managing the development of the Project, you’ll oversee its operational management, providing leadership and support to staff and volunteers. You’ll perform at a strategic level, negotiating with statutory and voluntary agencies and the private sector to create a multi-agency partnership that meets the changing needs of the community.

Experience of managing and developing projects and of working to empower children and their families within their communities will be key. You’ll need a professional qualification in work with children and the NPQICL (or a willingness to undertake this).

This post is a Fixed-term contract for 12 months, 37 hours per week and is based in Bletchley

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer generous holidays, contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

Programme Manager – The Art Room, Milton Keynes

Job purpose:

• To ensure that high quality and innovative work with children and young people which shapes and contributes to the achievement of The Children's Society’s goals and targets
• To represent The Children's Society’s mission, vision and values at the highest levels to drive change for children and young people and contribute to increase funding

Reporting to:

Assistant Director, Children’s Centres

Reward Band:

Managerial Staff A (PM) SIEN: £33368 – £38199

Key activities:

• To deliver the core offer for children's centres, according to government guidance and OFSTED requirements. To manage the performance of the centre to ensure evidenced based outcomes for children and families. To work collaboratively across a cluster of children's centres and deputise for other children's centre programme managers.
• To manage and develop child centred activities that live out the vision, mission and values of The Children's Society – including developing effective operational plans that meet with the Goals & Targets of The Children's Society and its funding partners.
• To encourage innovation and to learn from good practice and from the voice of children and young people - implementing change that affects children’s lives and their own communities, and contributes to The Children’s Society’s Goals & Targets.
• To ensure that children and their families are empowered through the work of the children's centre and that their experience and voice change things for others; also that they are empowered to participate alongside staff in The Children’s Society in achieving change for children and young people.
• To implement agreed policy and best practice, ensuring that practice is safe and children and young people are protected
• To develop, manage and support diverse service delivery and teams including:
• The recruitment of high-quality people,
• Promoting learning and development to improve organisation performance,
• Managing individual performance and dealing with employee relations within a value system based on inclusion and respect.
• To meet the project targets within budgets, maximise their impacts and manage and lead effectively to achieve projects growth – securing effective resources for activities, complying with internal and external financial requirements and monitoring and evaluating the use of resources.
• To build positive and influential relationships with key stakeholders, focusing on achieving change for children and families in line with The Children’s Society’s strategy.
• To obtain, analyse and use information effectively to make decisions that support the efficient management and development of child centred activities. To promote the effective use of existing systems, information technology & the development of new systems where required.
• To promote the importance and benefits of quality assurance to improve children’s lives – to ensure continuous quality improvement and compliance with The Children's Society’s quality assurance systems and health and safety requirements.
• To make a significant contribution to The Children's Society’s campaigning, influencing and fundraising at national, regional and local level.
• To demonstrate the CYP leadership principles - effectively managing self and taking responsibility for enhancing own performance - ensuring that learning and development underpins all management and leadership activity.
• To keep up to date with changing policy and legislation in regard to children’s services and The Children’s Society’s priority groups of children and young people.

Location: Milton Keynes

No of posts: 1

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Experience

• Managing and developing a business unit – e.g. project, Children’s Centre
• Managing and developing a team of people
• Working as an effective team player to achieve organisational goals
• Establishing and managing safe practice with vulnerable people
• Managing a budget

Qualifications

• A professional qualification in work with children and young people - or an equivalent qualification that demonstrates transferable skills and knowledge
• A qualification in management or business studies - or equivalent qualification or experience
• The NPQICL, or the ability and commitment to undertake this qualification within an agreed timescale.

Work based knowledge

• An understanding of managing and leading continuous improvement against the background of innovation and challenge
• Knowledge and understanding of inter – agency partnerships
• A knowledge and understanding of business sustainability and improvement
• Knowledge and understanding of child-care issues including Early Years
• A good understanding and experience of diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice
• Knowledge and understanding of the protection of vulnerable people and safe practice
• Knowledge of working with families and communities

Skills

• Negotiation skills
• Communication, inter-personal and motivation skills
• Public speaking
• Strong IT skills [The Children's Society uses Microsoft Office applications]
• Financial management skills
• Leadership
• People skills

Core Competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Agreeing and Meeting Targets

• Proactively take ownership of project(s), whilst monitoring and evaluating progress against regional targets and deadlines

Managing Yourself

• Take a broad view of matters, acting decisively, stating problems clearly and managing conflicting priorities – ensuring that The Children's Society’s values are met

Leading Others:

• Involve team members in setting directions for project(s) - giving clear messages, coaching and guidance - and monitor and review performance, taking corrective actions when necessary

Communicating with Others:

• Express your views and proposals persuasively whilst being sensitive to others’ needs, ensuring that actions taken have a true impact on performance
• Tailor messages to individuals whilst actively listening and acknowledging other people’s feelings and emotions

Innovation:

• Develop and monitor continuous improvement programmes, discussing ideas with team members, children and young people and partners whilst seeking ideas outside your own experience

Managing Resources:

• Source, plan and manage the financial resources of the project(s), ensuring they are used efficiently and effectively and are fit-for-purpose

Building and Maintaining Partnerships:

• Build collaborative relationships internally and externally, establish high levels of trust with others which can be clearly evidenced through positive feedback, and participate to the overall region and national success of The Children's Society.

Providing Services to Others

• Be able to build direct and constructive relationships with children and young people

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Travel across a wide geographical area
• Anti-social hours arising from operational oversight of practice and a wide geographical area
• Occasional overnight stays away from home

[Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions]

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Children’s Society you will require:

• An understanding of and commitment to deliver the principles and values of The Children's Society
• A commitment to personal and professional integrity
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to The Children’s Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to the participation of children and young people and employees in the planning, delivery and evaluation of activities
• A commitment to diversity and inclusion in working relationships and practice
• To be flexible, adaptable and able to cope with changing priorities and demands
• Self motivation, determination to succeed and the ability to inspire and manage those around you
• To maintain confidentiality in all aspects of The Children's Society’s work
• A commitment to safe practice