SOPHIA HOUSING ASSOCIATION
JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE: CHILDCARE AND NURTURING CENTRE MANAGER
LOCATION: Sophia, Donabate Nurturing Centre, Co Dublin
ABOUT SOPHIA
Sophia is a national organisation that has been supporting people as
they emerge from homelessness since **Apply on the website**.
Responding to an ever-growing need in Ireland, Sophia supported
1,**Apply on the website** people in **Apply on the website** which is
an increase of **Apply on the website**% in the number of people
supported since **Apply on the website**.
Sophia is a niche service provider for two reasons; Firstly, it sees
the provision of home of one?s own as the primary response to
homelessness and the intervention that Sophia is exclusively focused
on. Secondly as an Approved Housing Body, its core mission is to
provide homes for individuals, couples and families who not only need
a home but also present with other support needs.
Sophia recognises that homelessness can have a traumatic impact on
people and that services need to be designed and delivered in a trauma
informed way.
We aim to provide safe and innovative projects for vulnerable families
and individuals which will enable them to make a positive difference
in their lives.
Sophia?s early years and school age childcare services are located
in Donabate, north county Dublin.
REPORTING TO: Childcare Resource Coordinator
CONTRACT: Permanent
BENEFITS
Sophia offers the following additional benefits to employees:
* **Apply on the website** Annual Leave Days
* Additional Long Service annual leave
* 5% Employer pension contribution
* Further education and training support
* Employee assistance Programme
* Flexible working arrangements
HOURS: **Apply on the website** hours per week, Monday to Friday
JOB PURPOSE: To provide management and leadership in providing
childcare support to Sophia Service Users
AREAS OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Services, Human Resources,
Finance, Administration, Health and Safety Development.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
SERVICES
* To commit to the objectives and ethos of Sophia
* To ensure best practice in the delivery of Children?s Services.
* To work from a Trauma Informed Care perspective in the delivery of
Children?s services.
* To work in accordance with Government legislation and policy.
* To work in accordance with Sophia and Policies and Procedures.
* Efficient and effective management of Childcare Service including
fees, furnishing, budgets, rotas .
* To manage the Donabate childcare team under the guidance and
supervision of the Childcare Resource Coordinator.
* To work in a holistic way with children and families individually
and in groups.
* To manage the team to develop a plan for child development and
play activities for the varying age groups.
* To ensure that all children, parents and visitors are welcomed
into the service.
* To share information with the Childcare Resource Coordinator
including the development and follow up of Care Plans for the
children.
* To be vigilant and monitor for signs of NAI, sexual abuse, neglect
and report any concerns to the Childcare Resource Coordinator, Project
Manager or Head of Services.
* To record concerns promptly and accurately. To consult with the
Designated Person and take appropriate action in accordance with
Sophia Child Protection policy
* To lead and work with the team to develop an appropriate
Curriculum and ensure that it is informed by Aistear the National
Early Childhood Curriculum Framework and S?olta the National Quality
Framework for Early Childhood Education
* To assist in the management of indoor/outdoor play facilities and
ensure they are maintained to a high standard and adhere to health and
safety policies.
* To assist in the planning and supervision of children in relation
to offsite activities and outings.
* Represent Sophia during HSE compliance visits and other inspection
Processes
HUMAN RESOURCES
* To manage the recruitment, induction and on-going training, support
and direction of employees, volunteers, students and trainees of
Sophia.
* To assign work as appropriate
* Arranging appropriate staffing ratios ensuring structure,
monitoring and recording issues such as sickness, holidays, training,
attendance
* To be responsible for the development of the Team by
* Ensuring that regular team meetings are held
* romoting positive working relationships within the team
* dentifying the training needs of individuals and the team
* roviding support to team members in their work.
* To provide monthly professional supervision to Childcare staff.
* To ensure that all employees, volunteers and students receive
regular supervision and keeping a professional record of this.
* To provide monthly reports to the Childcare Resource Coordinator
and reports for other government agencies as required
FINANCE
* To manage the annual budget for the Nurturing Centre based on the
information provided by the Finance Department.
* To manage Service Level Agreements and to ensure the return of
data and information agreed with funders.
* To actively source and make grant applications to fund the
services and costs of the service in your region. To provide
information to funders on expenditure of grants.
* To promote networking with appropriate voluntary and statutory
agencies.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
* Ensure that the necessary fire, health and safety policies and
procedures are in place and adhered to.
* Ensure high standards of hygiene and cleanliness are maintained at
all times.
* Maintaining and ensuring that all toys/equipment/materials are
safe to use.
* Ensure appropriate procedures are in place for responding to
emergencies within the Nurturing Centre.
DEVELOPMENT
* To attend other agency meetings as appropriate and to work
effectively with relevant personnel within Sophia.
* To contribute to policy development and review within the agency.
* To attend training courses and relevant evening meetings relating
to the provision of Childcare Services in order to ensure that a high
quality service is maintained and for professional development.
* To meet monthly with the Childcare Resource Coordinator and report
on updates such as finances, progression of Childcare Service,
staffing issues, building/maintenance issues and other issues as and
when required.
* To monitor and review service provision to ensure high standards
of childcare, education and welfare are in place.
* To implement policies and procedures to ensure they are up to date
and reflect best practice.
* To undertake regular service evaluation in consultation with
service users and staff.
* To promote networking with appropriate voluntary and statutory
agencies.
* To develop appropriate programs and activities that take into
account the individual needs of children and families.
* To participate in regular support and supervision.
* To work closely with the Health Service Executive and the new
Children and Families Agency to fulfil our obligations in alignment
with and to compliment the development of national and area plans, and
strategies and objectives of the Council and the Departments of
Health, Children and Youth Affairs.
* To undertake other work that may be assigned to you from time to
time.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
QUALIFICATION
* Degree in Early Childhood care and education (essential)
* First Aid Qualification (desirable)
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
* At least 2 years? experience in a similar role.
* Experience of working with children from birth to **Apply on the
website** years
* Experience of working with parents as partners
* A good working knowledge of S?olta & Aistear
* Knowledge of the Child Care Act **Apply on the website** [Early
Years Services) Regulations **Apply on the website**
* Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of child protection and
the duties and responsibilities under Children First
* Familiarity with early years and school age regulations and
legislation
* An inclusive child centred approach to practice
* Be naturally warm and respectful towards children & their needs
* A flexible approach to work
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
* An ability to work in partnership with the team
* Excellent organisational skills
Appointment is subject to satisfactory references and Garda Vetting.
Applicants who have worked/lived in a state or country outside of
Ireland for more than 6 consecutive months must obtain and present
police clearance from that country.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Please forward a Cover Letter and CV to **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**
CLOSING DATE IS THURSDAY, **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**TH JANUARY **APPLY
ON THE WEBSITE**
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Others
