May 2014
Dear Applicant
Recruitment Process at Grandparents Plus
Thank you for requesting the application pack for the post of part-time Project Manager, Relative
Experience Project, North East England (ref RE Project Manager).
This pack contains all the relevant information you will need to successfully complete the application
form:
Background information on Grandparents Plus
Background information about the Relative Experience Project
Job description and person specification
Terms and conditions
Recruitment and selection process at Grandparents Plus
Application form (as a separate attachment)
Equal Opportunities monitoring form (as a separate attachment)
Closing date for the receipt of completed applications is 5pm on Friday 30 May 2014. Interviews
are scheduled to be held during the week beginning 9 June or 16 June 2014in Newcastle.
Please note that we will not accept applications received after the deadline. If you have any difficulty
in completing the form or have any queries about the role or your application please contact us on
020 8981 8001 or via email to info@grandparentsplus.org.uk
Good luck with your application and thank you for your interest in Grandparents Plus.
Please send your completed application form to info@grandparentsplus.org.uk quoting ref
RE Project Manager in the subject heading or return it by post to:
Grandparents Plus
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
Page 1
18 Victoria Park Square
Bethnal Green London E2 9PF
About Grandparents Plus
Grandparents Plus is a small national charity (charity reg no 1093975) and we champion the role of
grandparents and the wider family in children’s lives. We do this by:
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Campaigning with them for change so that their contribution to children’s wellbeing and
care is valued and understood
Providing evidence, policy solutions, training so that they get the services and support they
need to help children thrive
Advising and supporting grandparents and wider family members by ensuring that they
have access to professional advice, information and peer support, particularly when they are
raising children who are not living with their parents or providing intensive family support.
Advising, informing and supporting professionals to develop good kinship practice.
Our vision
To redefine the family to see:
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a transformation in the way society thinks about the contribution of grandparents and the
wider family so that their role in family life can be recognised, valued, supported and
celebrated.
Kinship carers and the children they care for get the recognition and support they need.
Our values
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The welfare of children is our priority – achieved by supporting their carers.
We understand and respond to the diversity and complexity of modern family life.
The grandparents and wider family members we work with shape what we do. We work in
partnership with others.
We take a professional approach to our work. Quality is important to us.
We recognise the need to be creative and enterprising.
We listen to each other. We respect each other’s points of view.
Our objectives
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We want to make it easier for grandparents who provide childcare and kinship carers to
balance work and care.
We want kinship carers to get the advice, information and support they need.
We want every local authority to offer a kinship care service.
We want to be sustainable as a high impact, cutting-edge organisation.
Our activities
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We carry out research and produce policy briefing papers.
We campaign for change, influencing at the highest level.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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We run an advice and information service for grandparents and family carers.
We provide peer support for grandparents and family carers by running the Grandparents
Plus Support Network, which is growing and now reaches over 5,000 across England and
Wales.
We work with social workers to improve their practice and facilitate the Kinship Care Group
of professionals.
We deliver workshops, seminars and conferences.
We are a small staff team, mostly based in London, and the charity is growing and developing. You
would be joining us at an exciting time and helping us to implement a significant new project for
grandparents and other family carers in the North East.
About the Relative Experience Project
Together with our partners, Family Lives and the Family and Childcare Trust, Grandparents Plus has
been awarded over £1million by the Big Lottery Fund Silver Dreams Fund to run a peer-befriending
project aimed at over 50s to provide peer support for grandparents and family (kinship) carers
across the North East. The project is funded until 31st March 2017. Please note that this post is
recruited on an 18 month temporary contract, which is then renewable at least until this period of
funding ends. Alongside this post we are also recruiting 2 of 3 part-time project workers and a parttime project administrator. A further project worker will be recruited towards the end of this year.
The project will build on the success of the Relative Experience pilot project and aims to:
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train 180 older volunteers to provide trained befriending support to 370 older kinship carers
deliver increased resilience and improved well-being for older kinship carers and improved
outcomes for the children they care for
improve the capacity of organisations working with kinship carers to deliver lasting change
evaluate our work and disseminate learning to shape policy and practice of service providers
across the North East and beyond that across the UK
We are seeking an experienced and talented Project Manager who can both oversee this flagship
project and also champion the project and the issue of kinship care to a wide range of stakeholders.
But more than this by the end of the project we want to embed a step-change in local authority
practice across the North East and achieve a wider recognition of kinship care so that the carers we
work with and the children they care for can get the help and support they need. Central to us
achieving this will be a strong focus on kinship carers leading influencing activity at a local and
regional level, securing change themselves. Our job is to empower them and to amplify their voice.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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Project Manager – Relative Experience Project, based in Newcastle
Job Description
Salary
£30,000 per year pro rata 4 days pw, 18 month fixed term contract, renewable
Location
This post is based in the Meadows Community Centre, North Shields, Newcastle and
will report to the Grandparents Plus Support Network Manager who is Londonbased. The post-holder will be managing a major new project that is being scaled up
across the North East. The project will require regular regional and occasional
national travel and overnight stays in London. Use of a car is essential.
Main duties
To ensure the Relative Experience peer-befriending project is managed effectively and on budget,
delivering key targets that have been agreed with the funder. To provide local leadership for the
project, embedding policy and practice change in local authorities across the North East.
Responsibilities
Oversee the day to day running of the Relative Experience peer-befriending project, working closely
with colleagues from the partner organisations, Family Lives and Family and Childcare Trust.
Manage the delivery of the scale up of the project, including its extension beyond Newcastle to
other parts of the North East and ensure the project meets its targets.
Report regularly to the Network Manager and Chief Executive, identifying at an early stage any
problems or issues that may arise.
Prepare reports for the Grandparents Plus trustee board and advisory group.
Contribute to reports for the Big Lottery Fund Silver Dreams Fund.
Line manage three project workers and the project administrator.
Manage the local office and the delegated office budget in accordance with Grandparents Plus’
financial procedures.
Oversee the recruitment, training and support of a small team of older volunteers who will provide
administrative back up to the project in the office.
Provide day to day support for the team, liaising with befriending volunteers and also grandparents
and family (kinship) carers who are being befriended by volunteers on the project.
Ensure the data recording and data reporting processes are in place and working properly.
Ensure that data is provided as required to support the evaluation.
Approach new members of the advisory group and provide secretariat support for the advisory
group and be the main point of contact for advisory group members.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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Represent the project and the partner organisations at external meetings with stakeholders and
other service providers, promoting the project.
Work with the team to identify and support the kinship care champions to promote the work of the
project and raise awareness of kinship care.
Proactively engage local authority children’s services across the North East, promoting the project.
Represent the project in the local media and contribute to national media engagement as required.
Contribute to social media, website and project blog.
A readiness to undertake any other tasks that may be necessary.
Note - this job description is not exhaustive. Grandparents Plus reserves the right to add to or
revise it at any time in agreement with the post holder. Appointment is subject to the successful
completion of an enhanced DBS check.
Person Specification
Essential
Essential
Qualifications
Experience
Desirable
Educated to degree level or
equivalent
A successful and experienced project
manager with a strong track record of
project management and project
planning.
Experience of working with a number
of partner organisations to deliver a
service or project.
Experience of being accountable to a
board or senior management team,
reporting regularly.
Experience of befriending work or
volunteers providing individual or
family support.
Experience of community organising
and/or beneficiary capacity-building
Experience of working in local
authority children’s services
Experience of line-management.
Experience of budget management
and financial reporting
Experience of building relationships
with a wide range of stakeholders at
all levels.
Experience of data collection and
recording
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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Personal experience of kinship care.
Experience of giving presentations or
public speaking.
Media experience/training
Knowledge &
abilities
A demonstrable understanding of the
issues affecting families (kinship
carers) who are caring for children on
the edge of the care system and the
challenges they face.
An understanding of the importance
of evaluation
An awareness of the importance of
safeguarding for both children and
adults
An awareness of the challenges and
opportunities of working as part of
a small team.
Skills
A demonstrable understanding of and
commitment to the importance of
equal opportunities
Strong interpersonal and team
working skills
Excellent written and verbal
communication skills
Report writing skills.
Strong IT skills including word, Excel,
Outlook and Access
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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Terms and Conditions
Post
Part-time Project Manager, Relative Experience Project, 28 hours per week, 18 month fixed-term
contract, renewable.
Induction
New members of staff are given an induction to the organisation, including familiarising them with
policies and procedures.
Appraisal
All members of staff participate in the appraisal process which reviews performance and identifies
any training and development needs.
Salary
£30,000 (pro rata 4 days pw)
Location
Relative Experience Project Office, The Meadows, Waterville Road, North Shields, Newcastle NE29
6BA
Working Hours
A full-time working week is 35 hours excluding lunch breaks. Working days and hours are to be
negotiated.
Flexible working
The normal office hours are 9.30am – 5.30pm but it is possible to work flexibly with the agreement
of the Support Network Manager, including some working from home.
Probation Period and Notice
The post is subject to a six month probation period during which a one week notice period will apply
on either side. Once the probation period has been successfully completed a one month notice
period will apply.
Annual Leave
The holiday year runs from the month of your appointment. Your paid holiday entitlement will be 30
days per year (pro rata), plus a proportionate amount of Bank and other Public Holidays. Your
holiday accrues on a daily basis.
Pension
There is no occupational pension scheme.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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Recruitment and Selection Process
Please read the following carefully before completing your application form.
1. Selecting the best person for the job
As part of our commitment to equal opportunities and diversity all candidates are treated equally
throughout the recruitment and selection process.
It is important that you take care to complete the application form as fully as possible. We cannot
make assumptions about your skills and experience, please give us examples.
2. Job description and person specification
The job description describes the duties of the job. It sets out the range of responsibilities and tasks.
The person specification describes the person we are looking for by outlining the abilities, skills and
experience needed to do the job. We will be looking at your application form to see the extent to
which you have the abilities skills and experience that we need.
3. The application form
Personal details
Please make sure that your contact details are clearly displayed. If you move house or change phone
numbers between sending us your form and being interviewed, please let us know.
Referees
At least one referee must be known to you in a work capacity and should ideally be either your
current or most recent employer. We won’t take up references prior to interview.
Present and previous employment
Starting with your current or most recent employer, list all the employers you have worked for, the
job titles and, briefly, the main duties of the post. Please do this in date order.
Education and training
Include all formal and informal training, qualifications you have and also any training that may give
you transferable skills which help you meet the requirements of the person specification and job
description.
Job description and person specification
Please use this space to explain how you meet the requirements of the job description and person
specification. Please give examples.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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Personal statement
Please use this space to explain why you are interested in the role and want to work for
Grandparents Plus and to give us any other information about you that you feel is relevant to your
application.
4. Equal opportunities monitoring form
Please complete the form and return it to us. We will only use it for monitoring purposes. It will be
separated from your application.
Grandparents Plus is committed to equal opportunities. We strive to ensure fairness and equity of
treatment for all who work with and for our organisation, and for those who use or are beneficiaries
of our services. This is irrespective of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, disability, age, sexuality,
sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status and social class.
5. The interview
All shortlisted candidates will be contacted by telephone and the interview confirmed by letter or
email. You will be informed of the time, date and location of interview as well as given notice of any
test or exercise you may need to complete.
Candidates will be asked questions that relate to the job description and person specification and
the panel will take notes during the interview. Please be prepared to talk about your experience at
the interview, giving examples that illustrate your ability to do the job.
6. Feedback
All unsuccessful candidates who have attended an interview will be contacted by telephone. It is
possible to receive feedback if required.
7. The Asylum and Immigration Act 1996
(amended 1 May 2004)
The Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 makes it a criminal offence to employ a person who is not
entitled to work in the UK. In order to comply with this, Grandparents Plus is obliged to ask all
prospective employees to produce appropriate documentation listed in the Home Office regulations
before we can make any offer to employment, including part-time, temporary, sessional or casual
appointments. In doing so, we emphasise that we do not discriminate against any applicant on the
grounds of their race, nationality or ethnic origin and we will continue to uphold equal opportunities
in recruitment and selection in line with the Race Relations Act 1976. This is why we are informing all
potential job applicants of this requirement right at the start of the recruitment process. We feel it is
fair to alert all potential job applicants to this situation as soon as possible so that anyone who needs
a document can make arrangements to get one well in advance.
For the purpose of the Asylum and Immigration Act, you will need either one document from List 1
OR two documents from List 2.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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List 1
• A passport showing that the holder is a British citizen, or has a right of abode in the United
Kingdom.
• A document showing that the holder is a national of a European Economic Area country* or
Switzerland. This must be a national passport or national identity card.
• A residence permit issued by the Home Office to a national from a European Economic Area
country or Switzerland.
• A passport or other document issued by the Home Office which has an endorsement stating that
the holder has a current right of residence in the UK as a family member of a national from a
European Economic Area country or Switzerland who is resident in the UK.
• A passport or other travel document endorsed to show that the holder can stay indefinitely in the
UK, or has no time limit on their stay.
• A passport or other travel document endorsed to show that the holder can stay in the UK, and that
this endorsement allows the holder to do the type of work offered, if without a work permit.
* The following countries are part of the European Economic Area: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK
List 2 (first combination)
• A document giving your name and permanent National Insurance number. This could be a: P45,
P60, National Insurance card, or a letter from a UK Government agency.
Together with ONE of the following:
• A full birth certificate issued in the UK, which includes the names of your parents.
• A birth certificate issued in the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Republic of Ireland.
• A certificate of registration or naturalisation stating that you are a British citizen.
• A letter issued to you by the Home Office indicating that you can stay indefinitely in the UK, or
have no time limit on your stay.
• An Immigration Status Document issued to you by the Home Office with an endorsement
indicating that you can stay indefinitely in the UK, or have no time limit on your stay.
Information Pack: Project Manager – Relative Experience Project
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