What is the job role?
This post is 22.2 hours per week – for 3 days a week all year round. (pro-rata salary £14, - £16,).
Fixed-term contract for 12 months.
We are seeking to appoint a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join the Early Years Business, Sufficiency and Funding team.
The purpose of this role is:
1. To work in the community promoting and providing high-quality information and advice about childcare and related matters to parents, carers, students, employers, childcare providers, and professionals.
2. To ensure that all information that is held at the Family Information Service is accurate, up to date, of quality and is fully compliant with the Data Protection requirements and legislation e.g., GDPR and Freedom of Information.
3. To support to the Family Information Service (FIS) contribution to the Childcare sufficiency agenda and statutory duties for information by collecting data.
A key element of the post is community-based activities: attending events, visiting local groups, and engaging with key partners to ensure that information is disseminated effectively. Therefore, the post will entail weekly outreach, office time and home working.
You will work under the direction of the Family Information Service and Data Manager to ensure files and directories in the database are updated, accurate and reviewed regularly. You will be the key person responsible for dealing with childcare enquires/supporting with accessing early education entitlements and providing brokerage support to families to enable them to work/access training.
The successful candidate must be prepared to visit locations across the city as part of their weekly workplan and will be required to work outside normal working hours on an ad hoc basis at events to promote the service.
This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
Who are we looking for?
You will be able to share complex information with parents and carers /professionals contacting the service by phone and e-mail and will need to be able to deliver this information in a clear and appropriate manner ensuring that the enquirers needs are met at all times.
Able to resolve and signpost enquirers to relevant agencies and support with in depth childcare brokerage/funding enquiries.
You will have excellent communication skills for contacting childcare providers on a regular basis to collect information and updates that will feed into the maintenance of an accurate database of childcare provision and activities for children from birth – 20, including information such as vacancies and costs.
Experience of delivering information to a variety of audiences and will be confident representing the early years’ service at events across Coventry.
You will be required to gather data to assist in managing the childcare market under the Local Authority's sufficiency duty by liaising with partners around current provision, gaps, and demand.
Key Requirements
4. A relevant Level 3 childcare qualification or work experience in a child related field that demonstrates the skills and abilities required to perform the tasks of the post.
5. Level 3 NVQ or above in Advice and Guidance or Customer Service or relevant work experience that demonstrates the skills and abilities required to perform the tasks of the post.
6. Relevant ICT qualification and skills sufficient to develop systems and analyse data.
The post would suit an individual with prior experience of working within the childcare sector who is able to communicate effectively, both written and verbally, at all levels. Has the ability to present a positive, practical, and creative approach to the use of ICT including social media
Candidates should be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills and experiences related to the job description and person specification.
7. Knowledge and understanding of the Childcare Act and, Data Protection Act and Freedom of Information Act.
8. The range and diversity of childcare provision and services for families.
9. Good planning, time management, organisational skills and can work to deadlines.
10. High level of confidence sourcing information online and updating and creating databases and spreadsheets.
We can offer:
11. Friendly, supportive, and highly motivated staff
12. A strong commitment to raising standards
13. Excellent opportunities to build experience working across the remit of early years education
Your application should:
14. Describe what attracts you to this role and how your experience relates to the opportunities and challenges presented by this post.
15. Outline your experience and detail how you meet the person specification, with clear evidence of your impact.
If you need help or support to complete your application, please visit our to see how we can assist you.
For full details on the application process please read the attached document on our jobs page labelled 'Coventry City Council Application Process'
Interview date: w/c 15 July
About Coventry
Coventry has a proud, innovative and creative spirit that throughout its history has seen communities come together to tackle problems and bring about real social change.
We are cutting-edge, challenging, youthful, vibrant and diverse.
At Coventry we are committed to excellence in everything we do. With around staff from a range of different backgrounds, our aim is to recruit and develop talented people who will focus on our customers, take responsibility, work together and find better ways of doing things.
To deliver the best services to our residents, we need the best people working for us to make a difference to our communities.