Job Application Pack
Post: Community Development Worker
May 2014
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:TERMS / Community Development Worker
Fixed Term Contract
SEPTEMBER 2014 – MARCH 2016
HOURS OF WORK / 16 hours per week
DAYS OF WORK / Primarily Wednesday and Thursday but some flexibility
RESPONSIBLE TO / Board of Directors, Centre Manager
MAIN CONTACTS / Zone/project managers, Centre Staff, and Volunteers
RATE OF PAY / £12.80 per hour
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB / To deliver a programme of activities that will engage with local families from the Barlow Moor Estates to improve the quality of life for local people and build a stronger community.
This work will tackle local issues, including community safety, social inclusion, health, education, unemployment, anti-social behaviour and gang culture.
To work in partnership with a specialist charity Challenge4Change to address issues identified by local people through activities including family challenge days, physical activity and sport development.
MAIN TASKS / 1) To identify issues of concern to the local community and to support and work with them in finding solutions and in resourcing services in response to these needs.
2) To set up and deliver a wide range of activities and projects in response to the community consultation.
3) To provide support and training for local volunteers enabling them to take an active part in the development of the project.
4) Set up and facilitate a project steering group
5) To identify additional sources of funding and submit funding applications.
6) To devise and complete evaluation procedures that meet the monitoring and reporting requirements of the Peoples Health Trust.
7) To work with staff from other voluntary and statutory organisations to achieve the project aims
8) To develop effective working relationships with all partners and stakeholders
9) To undertake all project administrative tasks, including updating project news regularly on the BMCA website
10) To attend relevant training and meetings (these may be outside normal working hours).
11) To treat all centre users, staff, volunteers and board members with equal respect and to carry out all duties with regard to the Association’s Equal Opportunities Policy.
12) To engage with clients in a friendly, courteous, prompt and appropriate manner, using excellent communication skills and ensuring delivery of high quality customer service at all times
13) To use the IT equipment provided, appropriately and effectively
14) To adhere to all health and safety requirements, taking reasonable care not to do anything that may endanger yourself or others
15) Topromote equality,inclusion, respect andfairness and tomanage diversity in all areas ofplanning andservice delivery, through an active involvementinimplementing our equality and diversity policy
16) To promote the work of the project generally
17) Such other duties that occasionally arise, which fall within the purpose of the post
PERSON SPECIFICATION
UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS / Essential
An understanding of the importance of confidentiality
An understanding of and commitment to the principles of safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults
An understanding of and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
An understanding of community development methods
Desirable
An awareness of community opportunities and issues
EXPERIENCE / Essential
Specific experience of community work, in particular of community development methods and activities
Project Management
Data handling, report writing and administration
Using Microsoft Office Packages: Outlook, Excel and Word.
Recruiting, training and supporting volunteers
Valuing and supporting team and multi-agency working / partnership working
Working effectively with people who may be confused, distressed, angry and antagonistic
Desirable
Knowledge of this locality
SKILLS /
QUALITIES/ ABILITIES / Essential
Self starter who enjoys working under own initiative
Able to manage and prioritise your own workload, including working under pressure
Focussed with excellent attention to detail
Effective record keeping
Excellent report writing skills
Clear verbal communication skills
Good team player
The ability to anticipate and identify problems and find solutions
Able to build and maintain professional relationships
Commitment to the work and values of BMCA
Enthusiasm
Desire to help people and commitment to the needs of vulnerable people
Two references will be taken up and an Enhanced DBS check carried out following a successful interview.
Equal Opportunities
BMCA recruits staff and volunteers on the basis of their skills, experience, temperament and ability without regard to race, nationality, gender, age, sexuality, disability or religion.
The Application Procedure
Closing Date: 23rd June 2014 at 4 pm
Completed applications can be submitted by either post or email.
Email:
Post: Philomena Sales, Barlow Moor Community Centre, 23 Merseybank Avenue Chorlton, Manchester
M21 7NT
Short-listing: We are only able to contact you if you have been short-listed for interview, and will do so by email or telephone after the closing date.
Interviews:
The interview (with Centre Manager and Two directors) will be held on 2nd July 2014
Background & History
BMCA is a community based, independent partnership group working in a deprived area of Manchester. It is managed by local residents, representatives of local organisations. Advisors include the Manchester Regeneration Team, the NHS, and Greater Manchester Police and other local third sector organisations.
The Association was established in the 1980s in response to the concerns of local people. It has developed considerably since that time, the most significant step forward being the campaign for a purpose built centre, which was finally opened in 1991.
Consultation with local people revealed a need for affordable childcare for under 5's, a desire for older people to have a meeting place of their own, and for women to have a group, at which they could try out new ideas, and have some time solely for themselves. Training in childcare psychology and IT were also identified as being valuable. The outcome was the development of a playgroup, crèche facility, a women’s group (now ended), an over 50s lunch and social club and the provision of training for local people in partnership with other organisations.
Subsequently the centre opened a Junior Club for 5-11 year olds giving children aged 5-12 an opportunity to play in a safe and stimulating environment and parents the opportunity to volunteer, access play training and in many cases become paid workers. Youth Work was delivered in partnership with Manchester Youth Service; Tool Hire scheme for homes and gardens, allowing those on low incomes to improve their immediate environment and a Credit Union. Following a fire in 2008, which gutted a large part of the centre, the tool hire scheme was temporarily closed. In 2010 BMCA Ltd was a successful provider and coordinator of the Lottery funded Parktastic programme, bringing play to the parks of South Manchester. Many such activities, which involve local people in the planning as both volunteers and staff, improve social wellbeing by reducing isolation and, offering opportunities to pursue common interests and learn new things.
At the 2011 AGM a resolution was passed to close the Charity Barlow Moor Community Association and to re-open as Barlow Moor Community Association Limited. BMCA Ltd is a charitable company limited by guarantee. This change was supported by a 100% vote of those present.
The new company is governed by its members, just as a commercial company is governed by its shareholders. In order to set up the company the existing Directors acted as initial members, since it’s incorporation we have been actively recruiting additional members and as of September 2012, 44 local people have become full members who control the direction of BMCA Limited., who will have the right to vote at the AGMs
In 2011, Manchester City Council disestablished its Youth Service. BMCA Ltd has been commissioned to deliver youth provision at a local and district level. This has seen the establishment and development of provision both at our centre and the Ladybarn Community centre.
Many of the services have been, and continue to be, delivered in partnership with other local groups as part of local improvement in efficiency and communication. The Association has worked particularly closely with other voluntary organisations including: Ladybarn Community Association, the Chorlton Youth Project and the South Strategic Youth Partnership. Statutory organisations including, Southway Housing Trust, South Manchester Regeneration Team, the Manchester Adult Education Service, the South Manchester Healthy Living Network, and Manchester Library Service.
Senior Staff from BMCA Ltd sit on City Wide strategic networks to inform and influence commissioning strategies, these include: Manchester Community Centres Network (MCCN), Manchester Play Network (MPN), Manchester Playgroup Network (MPGN) and Valuing Older People network. This enables us to represent the views of local people to “decisions makers” about service development within our area of benefit.
Following the 2008 fire, the Community lost its purpose built Library. The Library was subsequently relocated in a small shop unit facing the community centre. The Learning Centre and associated resources were in a shop adjacent to the Library. These were deemed unfit for this use. We therefore tried to incorporate this provision within the existing already busy centre.
Following consultation with local people and negotiations with Manchester Libraries and Southway Housing Trust, BMCA campaigned for a new centre which would enable us to re-establish, and further develop both of these improved services under one roof, alongside our core services. After years of campaigning the new community centre opened in January 2014.
The local community is an integral participant in the project, involved in the management and development of the building and its services. The new Community Development Worker will now c o-ordinate projects through our existing weekly programme in Barlow Moor community centre, which addresses issues and delivers activities identified in our consultation.
They will liaise with team leaders and relevant partners to organise events and activities designed to improve the health, happiness and wellbeing of our users. This will include weekly engagement with sports/wellbeing and recreational activities together with a programme which includes seasonal events and holding a family challenge day on the estate each year, all to meet the needs of the users. The lead up to each event will involve group activity with a seasonal theme. Alongside this we will facilitate a six week 'Teams Not Gangs' programme each year, designed to reduce community tension and divert young people away from the gang culture prevalent in the area.
BMCA LTD Board of Directors
BMCA has a strong board of trustees, encompassing a wide range of skill and talent .and representative of local residents, community groups and partner organisations
BMCA Staff
Management Team
BMCA Ltd employ a full time Centre Manager who has responsibility for strategic development and funding and an Operations Manager who manages the day to day business of the centre, and four Zone Managers who head core areas of work.
The new Community Development Worker will report to the Centre Manager and will meet regularly to discuss progress against set objectives for each area and will be part of the management team.
BMCA Ltd also employs a team of sessional staff and volunteers.
Barlow Moor Community Association Ltd
23 Merseybank Avenue Chorlton Manchester M21 7NT Tel: 0161 446 4805
please complete the enclosed application form
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