MIDLOTHIAN SURE START
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE DEPUTY MANAGER
RESPONSIBLE TO Chief Executive
JOB PURPOSE To manage the Midlothian Sure Start centres and other services
Deputise for the Chief Executive
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Operational management of the delivery of a support service to parents with very young children through the centres and on an outreach basis.
Provide development support/line management to Centre Co-ordinators.
Provide development support/line management to Project staff.
Support Playroom staff and ensure the quality of provision.
Facilitate the development and implementation of new and innovative programmes of centre activities, which are supported by pertinent research.
Conducting regular training audits and provide/implement appropriate training opportunities.
Monitor and evaluate the service.
Ensure the quality of provision and work with the Midlothian Council Early Years Coordinator and oversee Social Care Inspectorate inspections
Implementation of service level agreements in consultation with the Chief Executive.
Deputise for the Chief Executive
MAIN TASKS
In conjunction with the Chief Executive:
Operational Management
 Line management responsibility for Centre Co-ordinators and Project leads (funding dependent).
 As a line manager, to ensure that staff are performance managed in a manner that is fair and allows staff to develop.
 Co-ordinate staffing requirements across the centres: assisting local centres/projects with recruiting, managing and appraising staff.
 Disseminate information on policies and statutory obligations to all staff members ensuring that these are implemented across the projects.
 Support staff and users in developing a centre/organisation which provides a warm and friendly atmosphere.
 Monitor accommodation and health and safety issues across the centres and maintain safety in all areas.
 Support Centre Co-ordinators to run users groups with a clear remit regards consultation and decision making.
 Ensure that the playroom staff provide play and early learning opportunities that are appropriate to the development needs of children and that child protection procedures are implemented.
 Write quarterly updates for presentation by Project Manager to the Board.
 Support the organisations capacity to take students.
 Support the organisations capacity to use Volunteers.
 Support a collegiate working environment and good working relationships with funders and referrers.
 Set up and chair regular staff meetings e.g. Co-ordinators and Early Years Practitioners
 Investigate and respond to complaints and grievances as required and in line with
Midlothian Sure Start's policies.
 Oversee the use and maintenance of Midlothian Sure Start's database.

Staff Training
 Conduct regular training audits of all personnel working for Midlothian Sure Start.
 Co-ordinate staff training opportunities.
 Overview staff induction programmes as appropriate.
 Represent Midlothian Sure Star t’s training interests with Midlothian Council, Universities and other institutes as appropriate.
Evaluation and Monitoring
 Assist the Chief Executive to fulfil evaluation and monitoring requirements by:
 Facilitating the ongoing development of an effective evaluation system which is both quantitative and qualitative.
 Overseeing the recording and collection of data generated by the evaluation system.
 Collate data collected.
 Prepare evaluation reports based on the collated data.
 Taking part in research activities as required.
General
 Attend regular supervision.
 Attend regular meetings and networking opportunities.
 Represent the organisation on strategic planning forums as required.
 All other reasonable tasks deemed necessary by the Chief Executive
 Keep abreast of developments in childcare and family support and discuss them and their priority with the Chief Executive and update Centre Co-ordinators
 Deputise for the Chief Executive in their absence.
 Member of the Senior Management and Extended Management team(s).
 Liaise with a full range of professionals in social work, health, education and other voluntary agencies, in order to co-ordinate services for families and to raise awareness of the organisation.
Qualifications
A degree qualification in line with the requirements of registration of the SSSC as a Manager of Childcare Services. A Child Protection Certificate or a commitment to undertake such a qualification upon taking up post is essential.
Experience
Essential
Minimum 3 years experience in a Senior Management or similar position. Minimum 3 years experience managing multiple sites and supervising and line managing staff. Extensive experience of offering a support service to vulnerable families. An understanding of the difficulties experienced by vulnerable families. Good interpersonal, communication and networking skills. Knowledge and experience of being the Lead Training Officer, including knowledge of SSSC registration requirements. Knowledge and experience of Care
Inspectorate guidelines and requirements including inspections of settings.
Ethos
Values and attitude consistent with using an asset based approach.
Closing date for applications 3rd July 2015