Directorate Ofchildren and Family Services

Directorate ofChildren and Family Services

Children’s Partnership Support Officer

Fixed term until 31 March 2011

£17,161 to £21,519

Job reference: REC 01687

Contents

1.Letter from the Human Resources Manager

2.The council’s vision and objectives

3.Job description

4.Person specification

5.Conditions of service

6.Pension contribution rates

7. Information on exempted posts

8.Equality and diversity sub groups

Dear Applicant

Post of Children’s Partnership Support Officer

This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act which means you must provide details of any convictions (including those which are ‘spent’), in addition to any cautions and bindovers orders that you have received in the last 12 months.

Thank you for your enquiry about the post at Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Please find enclosed further details about the post and an application form for you to complete and return by the 26 February 2010. You can find out more about Knowsley Councilfrom our website at

Interviews are likely to take place within four weeks of the closing date. If you have not heard by then you should assume that your application has been unsuccessful. If you would like receipt of your application to be acknowledged, please enclose a stamped addressed envelope with your completed form.

The council places great importance on maintaining high levels of attendance at work and all Directorates operate under well-established guidelines to monitor and control absence. If you are successful at interview, the council willbe seeking references and your present or last employer will also be asked to give details of your sickness and attendance record over the last three years.

If you require any assistance during the selection process due to a disability, please contact us as soon as possible on telephone number 0151 443 3434. For example you may need a sign language interpreter, require an accessible interview room, or need help completing a written application (taped applications may be submitted by prior agreement).

The council is working jointly with the trade unions to implement a fair and equitable pay and grading structure in line with the 1997 Single Status Agreement. This will be achieved by reviewing every post within the council through the job evaluation exercise which is currently being conducted. All posts are subject to the review and therefore advertised grades are provisional and will not be confirmed until the outcome of this exercise. You should note that you are applying for posts with the council on this basis.

You should return your application to: Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council,

Directorate of Corporate Resources, Westmorland Road, Huyton, Merseyside, L36 9GL, or by email to:

I look forward to receiving your application and thank you for your interest in this post.

Yours sincerely

Jaci Dick

Jaci Dick

Human Resources Manager

Job description
Job title / Children’s Partnership Support Officer
Grade / Scale 4/5
Directorate / Children & Family Services
Section/team / Workforce & Organisational Development
Accountable to / Children & Family Services Workforce Development Officer
Responsible for / N/A
Date reviewed / December 2009

Purpose of the job

To undertake a range of activities to support the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of activities in support of the Children & Young People’s Partnership and transition to Children’s Trust.

Duties and responsibilities

This is not a comprehensive list of all the tasks, which may be required of the post holder. It is illustrative of the general nature and level of responsibility of the work to be undertaken.

1. Organise venues, refreshments and equipment for development activities providing the facilitator with the necessary resources and information.

1. Coordinate the collation of data and information using a variety of mechanisms, producing regular reports as required.

1. Ensure an accurate and complete record of all activities data is maintained.

1. Support a range of engagement and participation activities aimed at practitioners from across the Partnership together with children, young people and families.

1. To arrange, attend and participate in meetings and forums and networking activities as and when required ensuring actions are followed up and monitor support plans and outcomes.

1. To treat information with confidentiality and sensitivity, adhering to the Data Protection Act.

1. To work as part of a team, generating ideas and suggestions for continuous improvement.

1. To participate in learning and development activities as required.

1. To carry out duties requested by the Executive Director of Children & Family Services.

Health and safety

1. To use equipment as instructed and trained.

1. To inform management of any health and safety issues that could place individuals in danger.

This Job Description forms part of the contract of employment of the person appointed to this post. It reflects the position at the present time only, and may be changed at management’s discretion in the future. As a general term of employment, the organisation may effect any necessary change in job content, or may require the post holder to undertake other duties, at any location in the organisation, provided that such changes are appropriate to the employee’s remuneration and status.

As a term of your contract of employment, the organisation reserves the right to vary your hours of work and require you to work outside the range of your “typical working arrangements” specified in your Statement of Particulars. This will also include weekend working. The organisation reserves the right at its discretion to affect this condition of your employment. Should this be necessary you will be given reasonable notice of any proposed changes.

This organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this Commitment.

Person specification
Post title / Children’s Partnership Support Officer / Grade / Scale 4/5
Directorate / Directorate of Children & Family Services / Section/team / Workforce and Organisational Development

* * * This post is exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act – applicants must disclose all criminal convictions including those which are ‘spent’, in addition to any cautions and bindover orders received in the last 12 months * * *

Criteria /

Essential requirements

/ * M.O.A
Skills, knowledge, experience etc
1 / Experience of providing high levels of customer service to a diverse customer base in a fast paced and complex environment. / AF/I
2 / Demonstrates a systematic approach in the development and maintenance of accurate record systems and produce data and reports as required. / AF/I
3 / Ability to organise workload balancing a number of priorities to ensure deadlines are met. / AF/I
4 / Demonstrates ability to support activities, meetings and events, which includes making arrangements for accommodation and refreshments, preparing and distributing relevant documents and other communications. / AF/I
5 / Ability to liaise with services within the Directorate and across the Partnership using clear and positive communications with a strong focus on customer service. / AF/I
6 / Ability to place orders and process payments using electronic purchasing systems, complying with all the Council’s Standing Orders and financial regulations. / AF/I
7 / Ability to comply with all the requirements of Health and Safety legislation and Council Policy taking appropriate action where necessary. / AF/I
8 / Upholds equal opportunities in employment, in advice and in service delivery. / AF/I
9 / Demonstrates and ability to use initiative, work independently and be a self starter. / AF/I
10 / Experience of using Microsoft Office including Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and bespoke computerised record systems. / AF/I
11 / Ability to form good working relationships with colleagues within the Directorate, other council Directorates and with external partners. / AF/I

Qualifications

12 / Educated to NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification or experience, including numeracy and literacy Level 2. / AF/C
Health and safety
13 / Ability to use equipment as instructed and trained
Ability to inform management of any health and safety issues which could place individuals in danger.
Personal attributes and circumstances
14 / Ability to embrace the values of KMBC. / I
15 / Willingness to work outside normal office hours with the ability to commute to a number of locations throughout the borough in the course of the duties and to travel outside the borough when necessary. / AF/I

*Method of assessment (*M.O.A)

A = Application formC = CertificateE = ExerciseI = Interview

P = PresentationT = TestAC = Assessment centre

Date / Approved by authorised manager / Designation
December 2009 / Glenys Hurst-Robson / Children’s Workforce Strategy Manager
Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

• Motivation to work with children and young people
• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
• Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
• Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline

We have a positive attitude to the employment of disabled people and guarantee an interview to those who meet all the necessary criteria of the person specification.

Conditions of service

Directorate of Children and Family Services

Post / Children’s Partnership Support Officer
Grade / Scale 4 to 5
General / The conditions in the National Joint Council for Local Authority Services (Green Book) will apply.
Hours of work / 36 hours per week
Salary / £17,161 to £21,519
Basic annual leave / 22 days
Medical / The successful applicant will be required to complete a medical questionnaire and may also be required to undergo a medical examination.
Training / The Council is a recognised ‘Investor in People’ and encourages training and development for all employees.
Pension / You are automatically entered into the Local Government Pension Scheme, unless you elect not to join. Employees with contracts of employment of less than three months are not eligible to join the scheme. Contributions rates are dependant on salary as per the contribution rates shown below.
Childcare vouchers / The Council is in partnership with a childcare voucher provider which offers employees a salary sacrifice scheme. Further details are available from Human Resources Division.

Disclosure

/ The post is subject to a Criminal Records Bureaucheck. You must ensure that you complete Section 8 of the application form. If you fail to do so your application will not be considered. Having a criminal record will not necessarily prevent you from being appointed to the post.

Pension contribution rates

With effect from 1 April 2008, contribution rates will be on a sliding scale based upon a scheme member’s full time annual pensionable pay. Part time employees’ percentage contribution rates will be based upon the pro rata full time pensionable pay.

From 1 April 2009, the new contribution rates will be as follows:

Table 1

Band / Pensionable pay range / Contribution rate
1 / £0 - £12,600 / 5.5%
2 / £12,600.01 - £14,700 / 5.8%
3 / £14,700.01 - £18,900 / 5.9%
4 / £18,900.01 - £31,500 / 6.5%
5 / £31,500.01 - £42,000 / 6.8%
6 / £42,000.01 - £78,700 / 7.2%
7 / More than £78,700 / 7.5%

From 1 April 2008 for those employees who were paying 5%, the changes to contribution rates are as follows;

Table 2

Year commencing / Contribution rate
1 April 2008 / 5.25%
1 April 2009 / 5.5%
1 April 2010 / 6.5%

Exempted posts – Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure

Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council aims to promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills and potential. We welcome applications from diverse candidates.

Certain posts are subject to a Criminal Records Bureau check due to the nature of the work being undertaken. All candidates who are successful at interview for one of these posts will be asked to complete an application form for a ‘disclosure’ check by the Criminal Records Bureau before the appointment is confirmed.

Whilst the council supports the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, it is obliged in the recruitment of all employees to use an Exemption Order of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 in order to ensure safe recruitment to posts where working with children, vulnerable adults or other positions of trust are involved. If you apply for a post that is subject to a disclosure, you will be advised in the recruitment job pack.

Having a conviction or a record of some type of unacceptable behaviour would not necessarily bar you from being appointed to the post as any decision to employ will be considered on the individual circumstances of each case.

If you are in doubt about what you should declare, you can ask advice from a member of the Human Resources Division 0151 443 3434.

Further information about the Criminal Records Bureau, including how information is assessed in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 can be found on their website:

Safeguarding

Where the post involves working with children, in addition to a candidate’s ability to perform the duties of the post, the interview will also explore issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including:

• Motivation to work with children and young people
• Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children and young people
• Emotional resilience in working with challenging behaviours
• Attitudes to use of authority and maintaining discipline

Equality and Diversity sub groups

Knowsley Council has four established sub groups to support the equality and diversity agenda, details below.

The groups are supported by the Corporate Equality and Diversity Manager, Paul Peng who can be contacted on 443 3073.

Knowsley Black and Minority Workers’ Group (KBMWG)
The group's vision is to 'promote respect and value diverse cultures within Knowsley', and they are committed to challenging all forms of discrimination, racial harassment and bullying to promote race equality in employment and in the delivery of services. Through development days, members of the KBMWG have established and discussed terms of reference and decided on ways to be involved with the council corporately.

Knowsley Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum
The group aims to promote the council positively as an employer which is supportive of the LGBT workforce, as well as promoting LGBT within the larger community.

It acts as a consultation forum on new and exiting policies and strategies and participates within equality impact assessment processes with the view to improving and influencing change. Through the group there is a robust and systematic process for exchanging ideas, problem solving and information sharing, this then raises awareness and reduces discrimination within the workplace.

Disability workers' group
This group meet to discuss issues surrounding disability within Knowsley. The council recognises that people are disabled by society and not their impairment.

The group advises on all policy and procedure, whether related to employment or service delivery for the council and the Primary Care Trust. They also provide a networking opportunity across the groups to discuss common issues and link with similar employee forums in other local authorities.

Women's operational workers’ group
The group's primary focus is the consideration of gender equality issues relative to every aspect of employment and service delivery. As with the other groups, there will be representation at the Directorate Implementation Group which then feeds into the Corporate Equality and Diversity Strategy Group meetings. The advice and guidance which this forum is anticipated to contribute will be a valuable asset to the Equality and Diversity agenda of Knowsley Council, particularly as women make up 63.9% of the total workforce.

Equality and diversity information is available to view on