HOME-START NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE FAMILY & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Please find attached the Job Description and Person Specification relating to this post. The Job Description highlights the main purpose of the role, the activities to be undertaken, and any special conditions relating to the post. The Person Specification details the essential and desirable skills, abilities, experience, knowledge and special requirements required for the post. It also details how the different requirements will be assessed during the selection process. 1
JOB DESCRIPTION HOME-START NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE FAMILY & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR Reports to: Project Manager This post carries a high level of responsibility. The post holder must have parenting experience, be able to work on their own initiative, have excellent planning and self-management skills and be able to work in accordance with Home-Start North East Lincolnshire s Memorandum & Articles of Association, Home-Start UK s Standards & Methods of Practice, the Home-Start Agreement and Quality Assurance Standards. Overall purpose of the job To effectively devise and implement an annual recruitment plan to ensure sufficient volunteers are recruited to meet demand on the service; To maintain high standards of practice in supporting families within the Home-Start model; To maintain high standards of practice in supporting volunteers within the Home-Start model; To ensure equality of opportunity, fairness and diversity in all aspects of the scheme s work; To implement good safeguarding practice in all areas of work. 2
Main Responsibilities Supporting the work of the scheme Supporting the implementation and review of all Home-Start policies and procedures; Complying with the scheme s administration, monitoring and financial systems; Promoting the work of the scheme, as required by the Project Manager; Undertaking work as delegated by the Project Manager to support the strategic management, development and future funding of the scheme; Contributing to and supporting the development of the Home-Start network locally, regionally and nationally. Working with families Liaising with various agencies, receiving referrals and assessing needs of families; Introducing families to appropriate volunteer support; Ensuring support to families is reviewed at regular intervals and at the end of Home-Start support, in line with current Home-Start guidance; To undertake designated responsibilities to safeguard and promote children s welfare. Working with volunteers Recruiting, selecting and preparing suitable volunteers to support families in a variety of roles; To deliver the Home-Start volunteer preparation course (VPC) to a high standard to all prospective volunteers and to evaluate and report back upon training sessions; To support and supervise volunteers who undertake accreditation during the VPC; To effectively match and introduce volunteers with families; To provide support and supervision to volunteers including identifying additional training opportunities. 3
Working with Trustees Working with the Project Manager and Services Officer, to ensure that appropriate information is made available to the Trustees; To produce quarterly statistical and management information reports for the Project Manager and the Board of Trustees; To be familiar with and implementing all policies and practices relating to Health & Safety at work including accident reporting. Working in Partnership Ensuring appropriate and professional liaison with referrers and other professionals either directly or via volunteers; Networking appropriately within the community. Administration To work to the agreed administrative systems within the organisation; To work with the Services Officer ensuring all references for potential volunteers to the scheme are properly checked; To work with the Services Office to arrange enhanced Criminal Record Bureau checks for all volunteers recruited to the project, ensuring such checks are completed satisfactorily prior to volunteers being matched with families; To update and maintain Home-Start s quality monitoring systems (MESH), with family information, ensuring contract compliance. Self-management Ability to plan and prioritise own workload and to effectively delegate responsibilities to volunteers and co-workers; A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks assigned; Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and antidiscriminatory practice; Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality. 4
Special Conditions This job description reflects the major tasks to be carried out by the postholder and identifies a level of responsibility at which they will be required to work. In the interests of effective working, the major tasks may be reviewed from time to time to reflect changing scheme needs and circumstances. Such reviews and any consequential changes will be carried out in consultation with the post-holder. Contract duration: This is a fixed-term position funded by the Big Lottery Fund. Car Allowance: Applicants must have use of their own car, for which additional expenses are paid. 5
PERSON SPECIFICATION FAMILY & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR PART A: (ESSENTIAL CRITERIA) 1. Education & Qualifications Good standard of education (Minimum GCSE, NVQ level 3 or equivalent). 2. Employment History Relevant previous or current employment in a similar or comparable role. 3. Skills, Abilities & Experience 3.1 Working with families Parenting skills and experience; Understanding of and a professional empathy with the needs of families with young children. Knowledge of the roles of agencies providing services for children and families; Knowledge of current legislation and policies relating to children and families; A working knowledge of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policies; Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality. 3.2 Working with volunteers Understanding of the role of volunteers within the Home-Start and how they effectively contribute to the family support agenda; 6
Ability to understand why people volunteer and what expectations they have in their volunteering roles; Ability to undertake recruitment, management, planning and prioritising of a volunteer workforce; Ability to develop and deliver training programmes; Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities to volunteers, ensuring that clear lines of reporting and boundaries are established; Supervisory skills and experience. 3.3 Working with Trustees Knowledge of the responsibilities of management committees and their role within voluntary organisations. 3.4 Self-management Ability to plan and prioritise own workload and to effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities when appropriate; A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks assigned; Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills; Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and antidiscriminatory practice; Ability to effectively network within the community; Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality; Ability to process and collate information and to prepare reports and statistical information. 4. Special requirements Ability to work flexibly and undertake some evening or week-end work and occasional residential training; Willingness to access training opportunities relevant to role; Car driver/owner; Eligibility to work in the UK. PART B: (DESIRABLE CRITERIA) 1. Relevant professional training, for example, Health Visitor, teacher, social worker, child carer; 2. Experience of work within the voluntary sector, or experience as a volunteer. 7
PERSON SPECIFICATION ASSESSMENT This form indicates how the different requirements will be assessed during the selection process. A = Application Form, I = Interview, E = Exercise Post: Family & Volunteer Coordinator Method of Assessment PART A: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA A I E Working with families: Parenting skills and experience and the ability to understand and empathise with the needs of families with young children. Knowledge of the roles of agencies providing services for children and families. Knowledge of current legislation and policies relating to children and families. A working knowledge of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults policies. Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality. Working with volunteers: Understanding of the role of volunteers within the Home-Start and how they effectively contribute to the family support agenda. Ability to understand why people volunteer and what expectations they have in their volunteering roles. 8
Method of Assessment PART A: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA A I E Ability to undertake recruitment, management, planning and prioritising of a volunteer workforce. Ability to develop and deliver training programmes. Ability to effectively delegate responsibilities to volunteers, ensuring that clear lines of reporting and boundaries are established. Supervisory skills and experience. Knowledge of the responsibilities of management committees and their role within voluntary organisations. Self-management: Ability to plan and prioritise own workload and to effectively delegate tasks and responsibilities when appropriate. A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks assigned. Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. Ability to effectively network within the community; Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality. Ability to process and collate information and to prepare reports and statistical information. Special requirements: Ability to work flexibly and undertake some evening or week-end work and occasional residential training. Willingness to access training opportunities relevant to role; Car driver/owner. Eligibility to work in the UK. 9
Method of Assessment PART A: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA A I E Relevant professional training. Experience of work within the voluntary sector, or experience as a volunteer. 10