Breakaway Playscheme Manager

North Herts and Stevenage CVS

Job Title: Breakaway Playscheme Manager

Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2024 with extension subject to funding

Salary: £27,000 – £30,000 pro-rata

Hours: 25 hours

Location: Hybrid working; Home based and North Herts CVS Office in Hitchin, with travel across North Herts and Stevenage

Responsible to: Community Projects Lead

Purpose

• To provide a fun and interactive playscheme for children with disabilities, whilst giving vital respite to their parents during school holidays and monthly Saturdays.
• Managing and growing the team of 20 playscheme staff so we can provide more playschemes and enhance the much-loved service.
• Maintaining effective working partnerships with statutory agencies, other voluntary organisations etc. Also, where appropriate, establishing new links.

Main Responsibilities

• To take overall responsibility for the management of the Breakaway scheme in accordance with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and Ofsted, including staffing, operations, budgets etc.
• Communicate and include the parents and carers in the development of the service
• Planning playscheme activities and events to ensure a fun and interactive experience for all the playscheme attendees.
• Closely monitoring the budget, exploring additional income streams and contribute to the retendering of the playscheme

Typical other responsibilities (not an exhaustive list)

• Ensure that all playscheme activities meet Ofsted National Standards for out of school care and comply with all relevant legislation to include health and safety, food hygiene, fire, and planning requirements.
• Allocate children and young people to the holiday clubs and Saturday schemes, monitoring each individual’s remaining Short Breaks Local Offer (SBLO) allowance and care ratio.
• To work with the finance team in the management of all financial aspects of the scheme and support the CEO with retendering
• Take full responsibility of all personnel for a team of 20+ playscheme staff, including recruitment and staff retention
• Ensure ongoing CPD and training within full scheme including regular safeguarding reviews
• Manage the social media strategy to share the good work we do and find new connections for the service
• Collaborate with our other project managers to learn from each other
• Promote the playscheme to all potential users by developing strong relationships with voluntary and community organisations, taking opportunities to speak in schools etc.
• Ensure the website and all online content is clear and regularly updated to promote the Breakaway playschemes and Saturday Club.
• Take over all responsibility for all health and safety aspects of the playscheme as this is of high priority to us and our parents

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Exceptional organisational skills

Good budget management skills

Leadership skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to develop policies and procedures in relation to the Breakaway playschemes, should the need arise

Good IT skills, including word, excel, outlook and PowerPoint, with the ability to prepare and present reports and documents

Ability to work as a team and on own initiative

Ability to manage conflicting priorities

Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with a wide variety of people

Minimum level 3 management qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge of OFSTED and it’s requirements

Knowledge and understanding of disabilities

Good understanding of safeguarding and risks to young people

Knowledge of communication barriers and aids

Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade A*-C or equivalent

At least 2 years’ experience working with special needs children

Project Management

Managing Staff

Providing equal opportunities

Working with professional confidentiality

Working to deadlines

Flexibility on working hours

Full clean driving license and access to a car

Desirable

Creativity and the ability to ‘think outside the box’ when designing activities using the resources available

Level 4 health and social care qualification or equivalent

Understanding of developmental stages for children

Knowledge of the Hertfordshire Steps approach to behaviour management

Knowledge of some basic Makaton or BSL

Understanding of writing a bid

First aid qualification

Any qualification relating to PMLD needs, such as tube feeding/epilepsy/Hickman line safety

Specific safeguarding qualification

Working with volunteers

Bid Writing

Experience of selecting and recruiting staff

Experience of interviewing/supporting people

Experience:

• Childcare: 2 years (preferred)
• Management: 1 year (preferred)
• SEND work: 1 year (preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Hitchin

Application deadline: 04/06/2023