Early Years Worker

EARLY YEARS WORKER JOB DESCRIPTION Title of Post: Early Years Worker (EYW2405) Reports to: Early Years Coordinator Accountable to: Coordinator Salary: £12.07 per hour Location: Colin Sure Start offices, Stewartstown Road, Belfast Hours: 16 hrs per week (4 days) Monday to Thursday 9am to 1pm 11 Month Contract paid over 12 months with a summer month off Main Duties: To provide a safe, stimulating and varied programme of play and learning opportunities for children participating in Colin Sure Starts Early Years Services. To promote the holistic development of children and to work in the interest of children at all times, while ensuring the maintenance and improvement of a welcoming child centred environment. To contribute to the development of plans and activities aimed at targeting specific learning needs of key children. To develop supportive relationships with parents/carers and encourage parental involvement with the project and carry out home visits when required. To ensure good standards of hygiene and safety and observe all relevant health and safety rules and guidelines. To ensure confidentiality of information relating to children and families at all times. To comply with Sure Start policies and procedures and be aware of and work in accordance with relevant legislation at all times. To participate in induction and training programmes, meetings and supervision as required. EARLY YEARS WORKER L3 PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Essential Criteria NVQ III in Early Years Care and Education or equivalent A minimum of one years experience working with young children and families Experience planning and delivering group-based programmes with parents and children Desirable Criteria Experience of working in a Sure Start environment Experience of working with vulnerable families HowAssessed? By application form, interview and certificates KNOWLEDGE & UNDERSTANDING Essential Criteria Knowledge of child development An understanding of the importance of, and how to encourage parental involvement in the early years HowAssessed? By application form and interview SKILLS & APTITUDES Desirable Criteria A good standard of written and oral communication skills Competent IT skills and proficient use of Microsoft Office, Internet and email. HowAssessed? By application form and interview OTHER Essential Criteria An ability to work flexible hours and locations ie working Saturdays occasionally, covering other programmes. A full current driving licence enabling the holder to drive in NI and have the use of vehicle for official purpose OR have access to a form of transport that will enable the candidate to meet the requirements of the post in full. HowAssessed? By application form, interview and driving licence. To undertake any other relevant duties as considered appropriate by the line manager. Colin Sure Start is an Equal Opportunities employer and all staff are expected to adhere to their Equal Opportunities Policy throughout the duration of your employment. The duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description are not meant to be definitive nor restricted and may be modified to meet changing needs. It should be noted therefore that duties, designation and location of the post might be subject to change in the future to meet the evolving requirements of the service. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES This job description will be subject to review in line with the evolving needs of the organisation. It is not therefore intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time. The following general responsibilities apply to all employees of Colin Sure Start and form part of your contractual Terms and Conditions. Equality Colin Sure Start is committed to equality of opportunity and the development of good community relations as defined in Section 75 of the Northern Irelands Act (1998). Each member of staff is required therefore, to attend equality training and to deliver a service that is free of discrimination on such grounds as disability, gender, race, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority, birth or other status. Human Rights Colin Sure Start will respect the rights of individuals and the post holder will ensure that services are provided in accordance with the law and the requirements contained within this job description. Confidentiality The post holder must ensure that all information is recorded, stored and used in a confidential manner consistent with current legislation and Colin Sure Start policies and procedures. Public Relations The post holder must comply with the requirements of Colin Sure Starts procedures for dealing with complaints and maintain the awareness of users of the service and encourage their contribution towards development and evaluation of the service. Environment All employees are expected to establish good housekeeping systems particularly in regard to energy conservation and management of resources. Health & Safety All employees must comply with Colin Sure Starts Health & Safety policies and procedures. The post holder must accept responsibility for his/her own personal safety and welfare and contribute to that of others by continuous involvement in the application of current health and safety legislation within Colin Sure Start. Quality Colin Sure Start is committed to providing the highest possible quality of service to all parents/carers, children and the community. Members of staff are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat those with whom they come into contact in a courteous and respectful manner. Staff Performance and Development All staff are required to participate in staff performance and development review annually. The aim of this is to encourage growth of the individual and the service. Employees are expected to demonstrate commitment to Colin Sure Start by ensuring regular attendance at work and efficient completion of duties. Training The post holder must undertake mandatory training and further training in line with the evolving needs of the organisation Smoking and Health Colin Sure Start is a Smoke Free Organisation and as such operates a No Smoking policy. Conduct Staff must maintain high standards of personal accountability and adhere to Colin Sure Starts ethos, values, policies and procedures. Records Management All employees of Colin Sure Start are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the project, including client, corporate and administrative records whether paper based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public with limited exceptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and the Data Protection Act 1998. Employees are required to be conversant with Colin Sure Starts policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The criteria outlined will be used for short listing purposes and candidates are required to demonstrate on application form how they meet these. If successful applicants will be required to produce documentary evidence that they are legally entitled to live and work in the UK eg P45, payslip, National Insurance Card, Birth Certificate. Failure to do so will result in a non appointment. Successful applicants will be required to consent to the Trusts Early Years Service vetting and approval as required by the Children (NI) Order 1995 prior to the offer of employment being confirmed. Canvassing either directly or indirectly will be an absolute disqualification for appointment.