Issue 7 JOB SPECIFICATION Job Title: Children’s Centre Assistant Location: Hertsmere Leisure’s Children’s Centres Responsible to: Children’s Centre Team Leader Overall Purpose of the job: 1. To work as part of a team supporting the Children’s Centre Workers with Stay & Play, baby groups, health clinics, crèches, early learning and health promotion activities. 2. To assist Children’s Centre workers in facilitating parenting courses and baby massage sessions. 3. To work with schools, early years settings and health as required. 4. To contribute to the development of the Children’s Centre Programme. 5. To record attendance figures, collect evaluations and record outcomes as necessary. 6. To promote Early Learning and development. Specific Duties: 1. Direct work with Families a) To use a variety of methods to actively engage parents and carers. b) To provide advice and guidance to parents and carers about a range of family issues. c) To contribute in the planning of Children’s Centre activities. d) To assist with the set up and delivery of baby massage sessions. e) To participate in crèche provision when required. f) To support parents in accessing training and employment. g) To support and encourage volunteering within the Children’s Centre. April 2015 Page 1 of 5 Issue 7 2. Working in Partnership a) To work closely and build good working relationships with the other staff and agencies working at the Children’s Centres and have an understanding of the individual roles and how they work together. 3. Working as a member of the Children’s Centre Team a) To participate in staff and group meetings to ensure good communication and promote effective teamwork. b) To take part in the development of new initiatives as directed by the Team Leader. c) To provide accurate data entry to enable robust tracking and monitoring evidence. d) To take on other duties as required by the Team Leader. e) To work flexibly in order to meet the needs of the service. Due to the nature of this work the post holder may required to work occasional weekends or evenings, with time off in lieu given accordingly. 4. Promotion of Children’s Centre values a) To ensure that customer care is maintained to the agreed standard. b) To work as a member of a team providing an environment that safeguards and protects children. c) To actively support diversity and inclusion throughout the services available to families. d) To contribute to the development and maintenance of quality standards and work in adherence to those standards 5. Professional Development a) To be informed of current child care and early years practice. b) To undertake learning and development as required by the role. April 2015 Page 2 of 5 Issue 7 Person specification: Essential Education/ Qualifications Skills/ aptitudes Skills/ aptitudes April 2015 Desirable A nationally recognised early years qualification Level 2/3 (or equivalent). Safeguarding Good verbal and written communication skills. IT skills. Ability to keep accurate records. Effective organisation skills. Ability to work on own initiative. Ability to work within the boundaries of own role and competencies, and to know when to refer appropriately. Capacity for insight and reflection with the ability to learn from one’s own experiences. Have the ability to deal with potentially difficult situations. Hold a full current driving licence and have access to a car. Willingness to undertake continuous learning and development Enjoy working with children and their families Sense of humour Assessed from: First Aid Basic Food hygiene Level 3 in Early Years Confidence to work in sensitive situations Experience of data entry Page 3 of 5 Issue 7 Essential Relevant Experience Experience of working with young children Desirable Knowledge Knowledge of child development Understanding of the issues that have an effect on the physical and mental health of children and their families Recognition of importance of safeguarding children Awareness of need to maintain confidentiality Experience of working with children in a voluntary or paid capacity Assessed from: Experience of working with parents/carers in an outreach capacity. Experience of working with groups Knowledge of family support services Knowledge of Parenting Programmes Knowledge of The Early Years Foundation Stage 3 years experience of working with children Other Requirements Key: A = Application Form I = Interview T = Test Special Features: 1. Flexibility in working arrangements to cover all sites used for services delivery. 2. Subject to enhanced disclosure clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau (DBS). April 2015 Page 4 of 5 Issue 7 Other factors affecting the post of Children’s Centre Assistant: 1. Hours of Work: 39 hours per week 2. Grade: 5 3. Salary: £16,320 pa 4. Notice Period: 1 month by either party 5. Holiday Entitlement: Annual Leave entitlement is based on service and is as for full time employees (39 hours per week), working a five day week and includes the 8 bank holidays at present legislated for each calendar year. All staff are required to allocate all bank holidays as part of their annual leave entitlement, but other days may become mandatory for operational reasons. Annual leave entitlement at present is: 6. Pensions choice: On commencement with HL 29 days After 1 year continuous service with HL 30 days After 2 years continuous service with HL 31 days After 3 years continuous service with HL 32 days After 4 years continuous service with HL 33 days After 5 years continuous service with HL 34 days After After 10 years continuous service with HL 36 days After 15 years continuous service with HL 38 days After 20 years continuous service with HL 39 days. Options are: (i) “Workplace Pensions Reform requires Hertsmere Leisure to automatically enroll all employees who are aged between 22 and State Pension age, and earning above £10,000 a year into their ‘Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme’. Hertsmere Leisure’s Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme is a Group Stakeholder Pension Scheme provided by Friends Life. Employees who qualify for automatic enrolment will be joined into the Scheme on completion of one month’s service. Other staff may join voluntarily at any time. Employees are required to contribute 1% of their Qualifying Earnings (earnings between £5,772 and £41,865 per annum) and Hertsmere Leisure will also contribute 1% of Qualifying Earnings on their behalf. Employees can elect to opt out of the Scheme at any time and if they do so within 30 days of joining, any contribution deducted from salary will be refunded. 7. 8. 9. Location: The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974: Other Duties: 10. Leisure Benefits: April 2015 Further information regarding the Hertsmere Leisure Qualifying Workplace Pension Scheme will be forwarded to you within one month of joining service.” (ii) Full participation in the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS). (iii) The purchase of a personal pension. Hertsmere Leisure Children’s Centre areas. This post is exempt from The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 therefore the post holder will be subject to a DBS check The other duties shown are those currently operative, but the post holder may be required to undertake any other associated duties reasonable and compatible with his/her grading, competence and qualification Free use of leisure facilities is available to the post holder, subject to booking conditions. Please contact your Line Manager for details. Page 5 of 5