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.

We require two part time Children’s Centre Co-ordinators (each working 21 hours per week) for our new local Children’s Centres based in and around Overton and Hartney Wintney, Hampshire. New Children’s Centre premises will be ready in each of the areas by 31 March 2011. Until then we are operating out of local temporary premises. You will have a lead responsibility for delivering the Children’s Centre core services within the community, by collaborating with other professionals and existing early year services. You will actively manage and support the work of the Children’s Centre Team and ensure all services are improving the outcomes for children.

You’ll need an understanding of multi-agency working, including statutory and voluntary sector organisations, and the importance of evaluating services. To do this you should have NVQ Level 4 or a recognised and relevant professional qualification, you must also be NPQICL qualified or working towards this.

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

This contract is initially to 31st March 2011 with an option to extend until 31st March 2014.

If the contract is extended after 31 March 2011 the hours of work will be reduced to 18.5 hours per week as from 1 April 2011.

Closing date: 24 September 2010

Interviews will be held late September/early October 2010.

All recruitment documents are available in alternative formats. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

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

Children’s Centre Co-ordinator (part time)

Location:

Hampshire Children’s Centre

Reward Band:

Project Worker III – SFN £26309 - £29969 pa pro rata

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

Programme Manager

Job Purpose:

• To manage, co-ordinate and develop the work of the Children’s Centre, having lead responsibility for delivering the Children’s Centre Core Offer including the delivery of Family Support and Outreach services on an individual/group basis to families to assist parents in developing their parenting skills
• To actively support the work of the Children’s Centre Team and ensure all services are planned and delivered improving outcomes for children through Children Centres and community venues in the reach areas
• To work with other professionals to promote integration and prevent duplication of service to ensure a consistent approach for families.

Key Activities:

• To manage and lead the Children’s Centre team to deliver all aspects of the Core Offer in the Centre, in homes and community venues throughout the reach area
• To manage, monitor and review the work of the Centre, providing leadership, support, training and learning opportunities to staff and volunteers and to provide a healthy and safe working environment
• To work collaboratively in partnership with Early Years/Health/Social Care/Extended Services and Children’s Centre Lead in Hampshire, to establish a coordinated approach to integrated service delivery to achieve better outcomes for Children and Families within the targeted reach area
• To develop Children’s Centre service plans and produce reports as and when required
• To be responsible for ensuring the implementation of safeguarding procedures across the service
• To be responsible for the premises management in relation to the operation of the Children’s Centre and Safety/Security
• To take the role of Lead Professional where appropriate
• To build and maintain effective working relationships with children, parents, community groups and external partner organisations. Ensuring early identification and intervention for families requiring parenting support in order to improve outcomes for children (ECM)
• Ensure the team provide case studies, monitoring, and evaluations of services delivered to families
• To ensure consultation with parents/children is embedded in the service delivery and that parents are supported to join the Advisory Board and attend Parent Forums
• To recruit, select and induct staff and manage the performance of staff including case management, supervision and Annual Performance Reviews
• To be aware of the need for cost effective use of budgets and resources and to actively contribute to financial and resource planning.To deputise for the Programme Manager as required
• To ensure that opportunities for children and young people to have a voice and influence in our work are prioritised

Attainments:

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

Experience

• Substantial direct experience working with parents/young children from a range of backgrounds
• Experience of community development initiatives
• Knowledge, understanding and practical experience of multi-agency working including statutory and voluntary sector organisations
• Experience of supervising staff/volunteers
• Experience of evaluating services
• Experience of working with volunteers and/or parents as 'partners' in community development

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 4 minimum or recognised professional qualification in one of the following areas:
  • Child Care
  • Social Work
  • Health
  • Education
  • Early Years
• Must be NPQICL qualified or working towards this qualification

Work based knowledge

• Knowledge of the Sure Start Children Centres, CAF/Lead Professional
• Knowledge of Family Support and Parenting strategy/Every Child Matters
• Safeguarding
• Knowledge of legislation relating to children and families
• Experience of child/family assessment and able to put together effective plans to meet needs
• Knowledge and practical understanding of child development and parenting
• Understanding of the obstacles facing disadvantaged community’s education, training and employment opportunities

Skills

• Excellent communicator, both written and oral
• Competent in the use of computers and software such as
  • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • MS Outlook
• Excellent team player
• The ability to empathise with parents/carers and young children

Core Competencies:

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

Leading others

• Embraces situation leadership ensuring a range of leadership styles are used effectively
• Recognises and develops the potential of individual team members

Managing resources

• Contribute to the setting of budgets
• Manage budgets and allocate resources within them
• Aware or work towards legal and safeguarding frameworks/standards

Building and maintaining Partnerships

• Influence effectively on day-to-day matters with colleagues
• Build effective networks with colleagues and stakeholders
• Lead and initiate purposeful relationships across team/functions to encourage partnership working

Managing yourself

• Generate practical solutions
• Promote Society’s image and values
• Confidently apply knowledge and skills

Communicating with others

• Communicate with others, internally and externally, on matters of longer-term significance

Innovation

• Agree and set targets for improvement with others
• Contribute ideas and suggestions to the development of quality assurance processes, encouraging the contribution of others

Agreeing and Meeting Targets

• Determine and work to demanding goals
• Take initiative to solve problems
• Requires only general supervision

Providing Service to Others

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of high standards of service to others
• Values differences in others and respects their contribution / expertise
• Identifies opportunities for children / young people to be involved in the work we do
• Ensures that others are aware and understand safeguarding requirements

Safeguarding children and young people

• Ensure the promotion and development of a safe practice environment
• Supervise others to achieve high safeguarding standards
• Engage effectively with external agencies to ensure children / young people and/or vulnerable adults are safeguarded effectively
• The ability to make coherent decision in regards to safeguarding when appropriate

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Able to work flexibly (this will include evenings/ weekends)
• Some residential time away from home for team development, meetings and/or training and personal development
• Occasional requirement to promote and develop work in the wider Southern area
• The ability to travel across Hampshire and further a field

(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 Society you will require:

• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of The Children's Society
• 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
• Commitment to non-discriminatory and anti- oppressive practice
• Commitment to own personal development
• Approachable and welcoming
• Innovative, energetic and able to motivate others
• To be flexible, adaptable and able to cope with changing priorities and demand
  

Please state on your application form which location you are interested in - Overton or Hartney Wintney.