Our Mission
To assist people with a learning disability in the Braintree District and beyond to achieve equality and equal rights.
To work in partnership with local authorities, groups, organisations and Royal Mencap to obtain the best possible benefits for those with a learning disability within our area.
To provide a wide variety of educational, leisure and social opportunities for people with a learning disability, both at Charles Leeks House and within the wider community.
Our Values
To encourage each other to express views in an open, honest and constructive way.
To consult, listen to and understand the needs of people with a learning disability, their families, carers, volunteers and staff.
To encourage people with a learning disability to be involved at all levels with the running of our organisation.
To treat people with a learning disability with dignity and respect.
What we can offer
Braintree District Mencap is committed to maintaining the best possible team of staff for our members.
We are able to offer 28 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays (pro rata for part-time employees), plus a bonus day off on your birthday if it falls on a working day.
We also offer an extensive bank of online training to develop key skills (providing TOIL between Christmas and New year where necessary to cover any mandatory training falling outside of core hours).
All staff and volunteers also have access to perks through our HR and H&S management company, Croner, in the form of Bright Ex discount codes and Wisdom, their health, wellbeing and support app.
Pension plan via Nest.
Braintree District Mencap are a disability confident employer and are open to consideration of flexible working – please do contact us to discuss this if necessary.
Full-time salary starting from £28500-£30000 per annum dependant on experience for this role.
The Role
The role involves positively promoting community inclusion, choice and independence whilst working within the aims, objectives and values of the organisation. The post holder will assist the team to deliver person centred activities and to support adults with a learning disability alongside their carers where required.
Working as part of a small team, the role of the administration, media, and finance officer is integral to the smooth running of Braintree District Mencap. This person will provide invaluable administrative support to all staff, volunteers and members of our charity. This person is often the first face that visitors meet on arrival at our premises. They are responsible for informing the management about any issues which affect visitors, staff or volunteers working at Charles Leeks House.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate high professional standards and present a positive public image at all times. To understand safeguarding issues and to be aware of health and safety legislation. They will be required to attend and complete training to inform practice and meet mandatory service requirements e.g. First Aid, Safeguarding, Fire Marshall, Health and Safety etc.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Reception and greeting of visitors to the building, ensuring sign in and out procedures
- Answering telephone and email enquiries. Dealing with incoming and outgoing mail
- Providing support to the CEO to ensure a safe running of Charles Leeks House. This includes monitoring health and safety, booking yearly services for equipment, assisting in maintaining COSHH records, checking first aid equipment and replenishing first aid kits, ordering stationery, equipment and cleaning products etc.
- Report any concerns and observations to Senior Management immediately
- Providing general administrative support to all other staff when required, production of class registers and promotional materials as well as assistance in distribution and collecting payments
- Reconciling cash taken for classes, activities and fundraising, recording and preparing for banking. Raising monthly invoices for class attendance and premises hire. Payment of cash/cheques into the bank
- Maintain membership records and record annual subscription payments, record and claim Gift Aid donations
- Work alongside our Family Support officer to share monthly statistics on support provided outside of classes attended and maintain shared data sheets
- Ensure SharePoint is managed effectively and in compliance with all relevant policies and procedures
- Operate and maintain petty cash payments and balance
- Assisting and supporting fundraising events
- To cooperate with reasonable directions given by management and our Trustees in the course of your normal employment following any existing rules and procedures in place and/or notified to you during your employment
- Manage the organisations media by ensuring website is up-to-date and all social media outlets are kept up-to-date and monitored in line with GDPR and safeguarding requirements
- Undertake appropriate training as and when required and ensure a high-quality service is maintained at all times, taking responsibility for own work and working effectively and collaboratively with all colleagues
- Complete DBS checks for the organisation including onboarding staff and volunteers to the online update service and conducting regular online checks
- Represent Braintree District Mencap in a positive way and raise awareness of the work carried out by Braintree District Mencap and be responsive to the changing needs of the client
- Work with the finance officer to enable cover in their absence and assistance where required to ensure all financial accounts are accurate and up-to-date and submitted correctly including monthly payroll, end of year tax accounts, invoice payments, reconciliations, grant receipts and monitoring etc.
- Work with CEO to search, apply and secure grants and ensure compliance with recording draw downs and monitoring requirements as well as acknowledging receipts of funds and maintaining a positive relationship with donors
- Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be deemed necessary
Key Requirements
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to multi-task in a quick changing and sometimes challenging environment
- Good, accurate literacy, numeracy and administrative skills and the ability to analyse information to solve general queries
- Empathy and patience when liaising with members with a learning disability and/or their family members/carers/support workers
- Strong organisational skills and thorough attention to detail
- Ability to work as part of a team and under own initiative
- Excellent understanding of Microsoft Office software – in particular Outlook, Word, Excel. Knowledge of PowerPoint, Publisher, Mailchimp, Canva and similar would be advantageous
- Reliable and trustworthy with an emphasis in maintaining the strictest confidentiality at all times
To be a keyholder for the premises and be available, if required, for additional paid hours in the absence of senior staff
An understanding of learning disabilities desirable
Good online media management (with an awareness of GDPR and safeguarding
management) including but not limited to website management, Facebook, Instagram and Linked in accounts
Understanding of finance software (such as Xero), accounts management and reconciliation processes would be ideal but can be taught on the job if necessary
Experience seeking and applying for large grants
Required to have an enhanced DBS disclosure application completed by Braintree District Mencap and be registered on the update system
Pay: £28,500.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
