Playroom Leader - Dudley Lodge : Job Details

Hours: 37.5 per week

This role includes working weekends and bank holiday. The post also includes the on call rota.

Purpose of Job

The primary focus of this job is to have main oversight of the playroom and Hub, taking ownership of the day-to-day running, ensuring it runs smoothly and efficiently and remains

Duties and Responsibilities;

• In conjunction with the Senior Management Team, to foster and develop a culture in the organisation in which the child remains the focus of all assessments conducted by the organisation.

• To actively carry out individual assessments of the children residing at the Centre, incorporating their stage of development, emotional and behavioral development and advising parents on how they can meet their children’s ever-changing needs.

• To complete memory book work with each child living at the Centre. This will be child-focused and a transparent story of their time living at the Centre and descriptions of them as individuals.

• To complete individual work with the children residing at the Centre (where age appropriate), incorporating wishes and feelings and working closely with the allocated Team/Case Manager to ensure the child’s needs are met.

• To complete regular checklists relating to the children and their relationship with their caregivers. Feedback and advice to be provided to the parents, in addition to feeding back relevant information to the allocated Team/Case Manager.

• To contribute to the Profile of the Child within the organisation’s reports. Additionally, there will be a requirement to attend meetings to feedback the progress of the child if/when deemed appropriate.

• To observe and implement Child Protection Procedures and the Centre’s policies and procedures.

Main Responsibilities:

• Have oversight of the day-to-day running of the playroom and Hub. A clear and structured timetable should be maintained, and consistency is provided for the children.

• To take responsibility in respect of the tidiness and cleanliness of the playroom and Hub room. The playroom and Hub room needs to be a safe and structured environment for all children with allocated areas for the different ages of the children to ensure their safety and well-being at all times.

• Inventories to be completed on a weekly basis with regards to the resources in the playroom. Unsafe toys and play equipment to be discarded and replaced in line with the playroom budget.

• A weekly timetable to be devised for all children. Sessions should be centred around the children and inclusive of parents when they are not attending their own groups.

• To ensure the playroom’s allocated budget is adhered to. Expenditure should be authorised by a member of the senior management team and see a clear benefit to the purchase for the children.

• Provide training as needed by each centre to the staff team in respect of child development. To also induct new starters on childcare tasks and routines.

• To provide a service that values and respects the strengths, experiences and background of the families.

• To present as the leader of the playroom, offering advice and guidance to the staff team in relation to the day-to-day running and allocating them with appropriate roles.

• To plan and prioritise workload effectively within established time frames and ensure that all written recordings meet required deadlines.

• To work as part of a team to provide a culturally sensitive service for children and their families.

• To monitor and evaluate the quality of interventions pertinent to the playroom to ensure standards of excellence are maintained.

• To oversee the Hub, establishing and revamping Hub work plans and sessions, ensuring all staff are confident and competent in following and carrying out the Hub programmed.

• To audit the Hub work plans for each family and to follow up on outstanding work with the staff, keeping the senior management updated on any issues.

• To oversee the day-to-day running of the Hub.

• At times, you may be expected to fill in for Senior Family Assessment Workers in carrying out Group programmes of work.

• To supervise a team of staff, offering monthly supervisions, performance reviews, monitoring and support.

Benefits of working at Dudley Lodge:

• Shift patterns that make your commute calmer and quicker.
• Training Opportunities
• Staff wellbeing events throughout the year
• Team building days
• Employee Assistance Programme – this is a scheme run by Dudley Lodge for its employees. It enables staff to gain access to qualified advisors for a wide range of services day or night.
• Health Shield - After 1 year’s continuous employment, you can opt for free cover under this Cash Plan policy.
• Auto-enrolment to a pension scheme with Standard Life if earning £833 or more per month, Dudley Lodge contributes 5% towards your pension, also matching additional employee contributions up to 7.5%. The company will increase its contribution to 10% after an employee has reached their 10 years’ service, on condition employees contribute the same.
• Life Assurance - Group Life Assurance Policy with Canada Life. The scheme provides a tax-free benefit to all permanent employees, paying a lump sum amount of 2 x salary in the event of death in service.
• Free tea, coffee, water and fruit for all staff
• Continuous training and professional development opportunities
• Enhanced holidays:
• 22 days plus 8 bank holidays – up to 5 years continuous employment
• 27 days plus 8 bank holidays – up to 10 years continuous employment
• 32 days plus 8 bank holidays – over 10 years continuous employment
• Flu Vaccine: For Staff that do not qualify for the flu vaccine through the NHS
• Bike (Cycle) Scheme: Staff can purchase a bike (max, £1000 or 50% of monthly contractual salary). The employee cycle loan request form should be completed for validation.
• Attendance allowance to reflect 100% attendance throughout the calendar year (up to a maximum of one week’s salary per annum and subject to any required adjustments to the eligibility requirements on a case-by-case basis) to be paid at or around the end of each calendar year.