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.

Honiton Children’s Centre has been delivering services since April 2007.

We are currently looking for two Sessional Children’s Centre Support Workers to work with and assist Children’s Centre staff and other professionals in the delivery of Children’s Centre activities.

The term ‘Sessional’ means you will be working on an ‘as and when’ basis.

You should have experience of working with parents and young children. You should be committed to working in partnership with parents and children. You should also possess a relevant qualification and/or relevant experience.

Interviews will be held on 20 April 2010.

Charity Registration No. 221124
We strive to be an equal opportunities employer

Children’s Centre Support Worker – Sessional

Job purpose:

To work with Children’s Centre staff and other professionals in the development and delivery of Children’s Centre activities

Reporting to:

Children’s Centre Manager

Location:

Honiton Children’s Centre

Reward Band:

Project Worker 1 (SAN) £8.30 - £9.46 per hour

Key activities:

To work with Children’s Centre staff and other professionals in the development and delivery of activities for families with a range of experiences, backgrounds and lifestyles. These activities could include:

• identifying and engaging with individuals, families and groups, especially those who are under represented amongst the users of Children’s Centres, and encouraging them to become involved with the Centre’s activities
• being involved with setting up and running of workshops and training to enhance parent’s understanding of their role with regard to their children’s health, development, education and wellbeing
• developing and promoting practical ways of consulting with identified hard to reach groups to learn about their needs
• ensuring that the Children’s Centre is welcoming and supportive to parents and children
• working in partnership with other agencies, especially those who deliver core offer services, such as health, social care, Job Centre Plus, to deliver quality services to children and families especially those who are hard to reach
• supporting individuals and groups in playing a full part in governance and decision making within the Children’s Centre, the community and The Children’s Society
• working with colleagues and external agencies to develop services that fill the gaps in provision
• contributing to the goals and targets of the pioneer areas of The Children’s Society, and ensuring that work is child centred and high quality
• supporting work with targeted groups and individuals
• working as part of the team including close and cooperative working with colleagues and providing absence cover when necessary
• recording all contact and activities with service users to The Children’s Society standards and as required for monitoring and evaluation of the programme

Attainments:

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

• A relevant professional qualification or are working towards a qualification relevant to the post
• In the absence of such a qualification the post holder should be able to demonstrate competence derived from substantial practical experience
• Experience in direct work with children and adults and confidence in using a child centred approach to work
• An understanding of social exclusion and experience of inclusive practice
• Sufficient IT skills to communicate in an office that uses Microsoft Office applications

Core Competencies:

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

• Continuously improve
  • Take part in the planning, monitoring and development of the work with team colleagues and based upon the evaluation of the work with children and families
  • Be committed to the development of the work and prepared to try different approaches where this is necessary
• Agree and meet targets
  • Commit to the quality standards required for the work and demonstrate the practice based upon that commitment
  • Work with the team to achieve the outcomes, asking for guidance and support when required
• Manage self 
  • Seek and agree personal development
• Lead others
  • To be a good role model for parents and visitors
  • Respond positively to suggestions and feedback
  • Use agreed practice guidelines to support the needs led work with children and families
• Build and maintain relationships
  • Develop positive professional relationships with colleagues and service users
  • Able to work co-operatively as a member of a team
  • View others positively
• Communicate with others
  • Show competence in consulting with other agencies, professional colleagues and members of the community
  • Demonstrate a high standard of written and oral communication
• Provide a service to others
  • Be a good representative of The Children's Society by promoting the Society’s standards and approach in all that they do, from dealing with a query to taking part in planning and strategy group meetings
• Manage resources
  • Being careful in the use of resources to both conserve the resources of the project and to model good practice to children and adults who work with the project

Special Job Circumstances:

This job has the following special circumstances:

• The post is offered on a Sessional basis – hours will vary and are not guaranteed 
• Occasional travel 
• There will be a need to work some evenings and weekends
• Enhanced CRB check is required

(Please note: If you have difficulty in 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 and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation 
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to The Children’s Society commitment to keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice
• To be flexible, adaptable and able to cope with changing priorities and demands
• To be an effective team member
• To be sensitive to the needs of parents, children and young people and be able to have fun