Play Facilitator

Job Description

A rare and fantastic opportunity to join our small, committed team of staff running a well-respected local charity with the support of a large team of highly trained volunteers.

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Primarily helping families with pre-school children who are experiencing additional challenges, with an additional project for primary school age children and their parents to improve relationships through therapeutic play approaches.

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DBS Check (Enhanced Level) will be required for both roles. 8% Pension contribution. Private vehicle essential for Play Facilitator role for which an allowance is paid.

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• Purposes of the job
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To lead on the planning, coordination and resourcing of the charity’s group support sessions for vulnerable or disadvantaged children under 5 years and their parents, and the pre-school creche provision for parents attending the charity courses.

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To deliver weekly group support sessions in partnership with a Family Coordinator in suitable locations across Harborough District.

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To champion Play within the charity, and to promote understanding its benefits in building relationships between children and their carers.

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• /n /n Main Responsibilities/n /n /n /n /n
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• Responsibility for all children’s activities at Home-Start South Leicestershire’s groups /n

Provide a warm and stimulating learning environment in which pre-school children can play safely, learn new skills and increase their self-esteem - maintaining an ordered yet flexible and child-led play environment. /n

Ensure parents and children receive a warm welcome and children receive a healthy mid-session drink and snack /n

Actively encourage all parents to spend time engaging with their children’s learning/development activities as well as accessing support for themselves, providing parents with play ideas and showing them the benefits of positive play, and the importance of physical literacy and activity. /n

Coordinate the volunteers who support the groups and course crèches. Provide help and direction where needed, ensuring they are up-to-date with safeguarding and health & safety policies and procedures, and guided in their use in practice. /n

• Ensure all toys and equipment are kept clean, in good order and safely stored, ordering new goods as necessary in line with financial budgets. /n
• Hold in loco parentis responsibility for care of babies and children in parents’ absence (e.g. while they attend a course/meeting on the premises) /n
• Liaise with the Coordinators to signpost families to other services where needed. /n

Undertake responsibilities to safeguard and promote children’s welfare reporting concerns to a Coordinator (Designated Safeguarding Officer), Senior Coordinator (Lead Professional for Safeguarding) or Charity Manager (Strategic Lead for Safeguarding). /n

• Help meet the targets of the charity’s projects and work within the terms of the respective funding/contract agreements /n
• Comply with the charity’s administration, monitoring and financial systems /n
• Promote the work of the charity, as identified with the Senior Coordinator and Charity Manager /n
• Participate in reviews of the Home-Start South Leicestershire’s Strategic Plan which provides the direction and plans for the Charity /n
• Assist with the provision of training for volunteers when required /n
• Act as a member of the staff team and assist the Charity Manager with their reporting role in relation to the Groups /n
• Ensure appropriate liaison with referrers and other professionals, attending meetings relevant to the post (in agreement with the Senior Coordinator) /n
• Contribute to the effective day-to-day operation of the charity in accordance with the Home-Start Handbook and Quality Assurance Standards, and the charity’s Strategic Plan and Policies /n
• Maintain high standards of practice in supporting families within the Home-Start model /n
• Ensure equity, equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the charity’s work /n
• Implement sound safeguarding practice in all areas of work /n
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The post holder may be required to undertake any other duties that fall within the nature of the role and responsibilities of the post as detailed above.

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• Conditions of Service
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The conditions of service for this post are set out in the Main Terms and Conditions of Employment, together with any additional amendments/updates.

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