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Job description

THE EMPLOYER IS: HOME START NEWRY & MOURNE As a Home Start Family Group Assistant, you will be assisting the Family Group Co-ordinator in the running of the family groups. This will include: ensuring that the physical space is safe and welcoming while adhering to safeguarding, health and safety, equality and diversity standards during all sessions, providing practical family support, facilitating group activities and supporting child development.

Responsibilities

• To help set up the playroom and kitchen before the group commences and tidy up again after the children leave.
• To help establish a secure stimulating varied program of play (including stories, art and craft etc) for the children within the Family Group, ensuring their safety and well being at all times.
• To involve parents in activities with their children and encourage them to continue this involvement at home.
• To be responsive to parents and children, building positive relationships with them and where possible to assist parents in responding to childrens behavioural problems, being sensitive to the underlying reasons for such behaviour.
• To help plan and take part in special events, learning opportunities and outings for the families.
• To be vigilant about the upkeep of equipment ensuring that good standards of hygiene are followed.
• To assist in the keeping of records.
• To attend meetings, training and report on work on a regular basis.
• To deputise for the Family Group Co-ordinator if required.
• Any other reasonable duties as required.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent (Child care/Health and Social Care etc).
• Relevant previous or current employment or voluntary work.
• Parenting experience or equivalent (24 hour care of children).
• Understanding of the needs of families with young children.
• Ability to process and collate information.
• Working in partnership and in the wider context.
• Knowledge of the roles of agencies providing services for children and families.
• Good self-management.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Understanding of the need for professional confidentiality.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

Desirable Skills

• Able to work flexibly, some evening or week-end work.
• Willingness to access training opportunities.

Further Information

The Employer is: HOME START NEWRY & MOURNE JobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information. Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week. Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach. Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment. The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer.

Application Information

JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.