Programme Assistants X2 (AIM) – Thurles
Early Years’ Service, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
General Information
Why work at Barnardos?
At Barnardos we seek to ensure that we have the best people working with us to support our work with children and families. The benefits of working with Barnardos are designed to promote continual professional development and a work-life balance for the most rewarding working experience.
- Barnardos offers a competitive salary – recognising the experience you bring to the role
- Generous annual leave entitlements plus discretionary Company days
- Positive working environment with family friendly ethos and work – life balance policy
- Tax saver and bike to work schemes in operation
- Employee pension scheme with employer contribution
- Paid sick leave
- An opportunity to help improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families by working in a trauma informed way
- Access to regular trauma informed support and supervision
- Ongoing support and access to training and professional development opportunities
- An opportunity to be part of a supportive team
- Access to the Employee Assistance Program for employees and their immediate family members
- Regular Breath, Body and mind sessions to support staff well-being
What do Barnardos Early Years, and Early Intervention services do?
The project seeks to maximise the capacity of families to meet children’s needs by offering an Early Intervention Service with the aim of improving child development outcomes for pre-school children in the area. There is a wrap-around service of trauma-informed targeted support for individual children and bundle of integrated family support services for their families, which can include transport to and from pre-school daily. Specific attention is given to those families where child protection or welfare concerns exist, working with the most vulnerable and disadvantaged families specifically focusing on parenting skills and child/parent relationships in order to reduce the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and subsequent difficulties for children.
Barnardos services have the goals of improving the emotional well-being of children, and improving their capacity for learning and development. Barnardos is committed to interagency working and embrace a compassionate and partnership based approach with families.
Services include: Early Years and Pre-school programmes for children based on the Tús Maith curriculum and High Scope approach, parent and child work, practical family support and parenting work.
We work to provide a response that involves interagency collaboration to maximise positive outcomes for families.
What will the Programme Assistant do?
Programme Assistants work in the pre-school service, helping to provide a safe, child-centred environment.
This position, some of which is funded by the Access Inclusion Model (AIM) will specifically focus on supporting a child / children and their group, to engage in the daily routine and curriculum, while also focusing on and supporting the children’s emerging interests. The Programme Assistant will work closely in partnership with the wider pre-school team to ensure that the pre-school curriculum is implemented and appropriate individual planning & support for children is provided
Where are we based?
Slievenamon, Road, Thurles, Tipperary E41AC97.
Who do we work with?
Barnardos works in partnership with children, families, and relevant statutory & voluntary services to provide the necessary opportunities for children to reach their potential
Job Description
Post: AIM Programme Assistant
Location: Thurles, Slievenamon Road, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Responsible to: Project Co-Ordinator / Project Leader
Works with: Team and service users
Job purpose
To provide a safe, child centred environment/experience to children in the context of the service in which you work and appropriate to the role.
Core Job Requirements
- To provide a safe and appropriate environment for children to participate in the service.
- To ensure all children attending the service receive an appropriate level of supervision.
- To support children attending to play and interact positively with other children.
- To be vigilant for signs of physical, sexual and emotional abuse and neglect and any concerns regarding the welfare of children.
- To immediately bring any concerns to the attention of the child’s Key Worker and the Designated Person and in keeping with Barnardos Child Protection Policy.
- To record concerns promptly and accurately.
- To gather information statistics and prepare reports as required, including administration of databases as appropriate to the role.
- To supervise students and volunteers where necessary and to ensure they are aware of all Barnardos policies and compile placement reports as appropriate.
Requirements Specific to this Post
- This role will support a child/ren to participate in our early years’ service including working under the Access & Inclusion Model (AIM).
- To have knowledge and experience in the area of working with preschool aged children with additional needs.
- To work with relevant staff to prepare and implement individual support plans for children who require additional support
- To provide appropriate levels of support to ensure the engagement of children with additional needs in our preschool curriculum.
- To provide a flexible service on a day-to-day basis within the Early Years’ team.
- An experience or understanding of working with vulnerable children and families.
- To be aware of the needs of children in our service and, in line with our Promoting Positive Behaviour policy, provide appropriate Promotion, Induction or External strategies in accordance with the needs of the child.
- To become familiar with the Tús Maith curriculum and to work with the wider team to support the implementation of this curriculum.
- To assist in general duties related to the preschool environment including planning, preparation, cleaning, and care of equipment & materials.
Requirements of all Barnardos staff
- Commitment to the purpose of Barnardos and to work within the values, policies and procedures of the organisation and in the context of current legislation and regulations
- To participate in regular supervision with your line manager
- To actively participate in team and staff meetings and service reviews/ evaluations and to contribute to the development of policy and practice with your area of work and within Barnardos as a whole
- To report any area of concern to your line manager in a timely manner
- To show reasonable flexibility in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. Work during unsocial hours may be required.
- Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organisational change, development and review of best practice.
- Participate in and engage with a performance management programme.
- Identify training needs with your line manager and participate in training opportunities appropriate to the role
- To be vigilant to any Health, Safety and Welfare risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your line manager or local Health & Safety Officer.
- To be vigilant to any concerns regarding the protection and welfare of children and to bring them to the attention of the Barnardos Designated Person in a timely manner, in keeping with the Barnardos Child Protection policies.
- To participate in the efficient flow of information within the organisation by sharing and seeking information as appropriate
- To undertake other duties as may be requested by the line manager from time to time
- To undertake your work in a manner that is friendly, flexible and informal.
Note: This Job Description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
- Commitment to provide a quality service to children
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
- Awareness of confidentiality and the ability to deal with sensitive issues, including child protection concerns
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Flexibility and adaptability are essential attributes in this role.
Experience
- Experience of working with children for a minimum of 6 months is essential.
- Relevant voluntary work may be considered.
Qualification
Recognised qualification (min QQI/FETAC level 5) that is approved under the Early Years’ (Pre-school) Regulations.
Barnardos is an equal opportunity employer.
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all.
Application Procedure
Download your application form
Shortlisting will apply (please note, CVs are not accepted on their own, candidates must complete and submit our application form through Barnardos website).
Candidates who are moved to the 2nd stage of our Recruitment process are required to complete a medical questionnaire and the E-Vetting process. References will also be taken up at this stage.
Vacancy Details
LOCATION
Early Years’ Service, Thurles, Co. Tipperary
Employment Type
Part Time (15 hours per week) and Fixed Term Contract to end July 2024
Salary
€10,584 - €12,865 Depending on Experience (This is the pro-rata salary for 15 hours)
Contact Person
Vera or Katrina on 0504 20018
Closing Date
Interview Date
To be Confirmed