Purposes of the job
· To lead on the planning, coordination and resourcing of the charity’s group support sessions for vulnerable or disadvantaged children under 5 years and their parents, and the pre-school creche provision for parents attending the charity courses.
· To deliver weekly group support sessions in partnership with a Family Coordinator in suitable locations across Harborough District.
· To champion Play within the charity, and to promote understanding its benefits in building relationships between children and their carers.
Main Responsibilities
Family Play Support:
· Responsibility for all children’s activities at Home-Start South Leicestershire’s groups
· Provide a warm and stimulating learning environment in which pre-school children can play safely, learn new skills and increase their self-esteem - maintaining an ordered yet flexible and child-led play environment.
· Ensure parents and children receive a warm welcome and children receive a healthy mid-session drink and snack
· Actively encourage all parents to spend time engaging with their children’s learning/development activities as well as accessing support for themselves, providing parents with play ideas and showing them the benefits of positive play, and the importance of physical literacy and activity.
· Coordinate the volunteers who support the groups and course crèches. Provide help and direction where needed, ensuring they are up-to-date with safeguarding and health & safety policies and procedures, and guided in their use in practice.
· Ensure all toys and equipment are kept clean, in good order and safely stored, ordering new goods as necessary in line with financial budgets.
· Hold in loco parentis responsibility for care of babies and children in parents’ absence (e.g. while they attend a course/meeting on the premises)
· Liaise with the Coordinators to signpost families to other services where needed.
· Undertake responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare reporting concerns to a Coordinator (Designated Safeguarding Officer), Senior Coordinator (Lead Professional for Safeguarding) or Charity Manager (Strategic Lead for Safeguarding).
Supporting the work of the charity:
· Help meet the targets of the charity’s projects and work within the terms of the respective funding/contract agreements
· Comply with the charity’s administration, monitoring and financial systems
· Promote the work of the charity, as identified with the Senior Coordinator and Charity Manager
· Participate in reviews of the Home-Start South Leicestershire’s Strategic Plan which provides the direction and plans for the Charity
· Assist with the provision of training for volunteers when required
Working in Partnership
· Act as a member of the staff team and assist the Charity Manager with their reporting role in relation to the Groups
· Ensure appropriate liaison with referrers and other professionals, attending meetings relevant to the post (in agreement with the Senior Coordinator)
· Contribute to the effective day-to-day operation of the charity in accordance with the Home-Start Handbook and Quality Assurance Standards, and the charity’s Strategic Plan and Policies
· Maintain high standards of practice in supporting families within the Home-Start model
· Ensure equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the charity’s work
· Implement sound safeguarding practice in all areas of work
The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and responsibilities of the post as detailed above.
Conditions of Service
The conditions of service for this post are set out in the Main Terms and Conditions of Employment, together with any additional amendments/updates.
Pay: £30,395.00-£32,353.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
