Cumbria Parent Carer Forum

Job Description

Parent ForumAdministrator Cumbria

Hours:15 hours per week.

Actual working days to be negotiated to suit needs

The appointment is subject to a six month probationary period and is hosted by Cumbria Youth Alliance.

Location:Hot desk Cumbria Youth Alliance/home working. Some work outside the County may be required.

Salary:Hourly rate of £12.50 per hour

20 days holidays+ public holidays + holidays between Xmas and New Year pro rata

Responsible to:Steering Group Representatives and Cumbria Youth Alliance Chief Officer

Job purpose:

Cumbria Parent Carer Forum have contracts with Cumbria County Council and DFES, your key function is to ensure the forum for Parents Carers in Cumbria workwith the County Council and the DFES to ensure the services provided meet the needs of the forum as closely as possible and that the voice of the Parent Carers is heard in shaping, delivering and evaluating services relevant to them.

You will support the forum to deliver as per their contractual obligations and advice on budgets available for training/events etc.

The project is currently hosted by Cumbria Youth Alliance who is based in Workington and support will be available from the steering group and from Cumbria Youth Alliance to assist the new appointee.

The post, although involving mainly administrative and ICT activities youwill also be expected to provide support to the locality and steering groups through preparation of agenda/taking minutes etc.

Hours may increase if additional funding can be securedor as the forum grows and undertakes more work.

Key tasks administration and strategic:

  • Support for the management of CumbriaParent Carer Forum through supporting the

Steering Group meetings- taking minutes and preparing agenda etc in conjunction with the

Chair of the Steering Group.

(It should be noted it is the long term aim of the group to be a standalone charity responsible for its own grants and reporting and you will be expected to support the steering group to take these next steps)

  • Work closely with the Chair of the Forum to agree priorities
  • Support parent/carers to organise locality meetings and assist with the election of locality representatives onto the Countywide steering group through booking rooms, booking speakers and informing members of the events in good time to ensure maximum attendance
  • Manage and increase membership of the forum (parents and professionals) and ensure parent carers can make informed decisions through the provision of local, regional and national information on policy and practice
  • Ensure the voice of parent carers is heard by public sector decision makers at every level and support the forum to develop an effective two way communication strategy for partners
  • Support CYA to undertake reporting to a variety of stakeholders and funding bodies through gathering evidence of parent carer activities at a locality and strategic level
  • Regular updating of database of parent carer participants
  • Gather evaluation and raise profile of the forum ensuring it keeps pace with the needs of parent carers

Communication

  • Act as main point of contact for CPCF by telephone and email
  • Manage communication for CPCF and ensure that there are effective channels of communication are in place to keep parents from across the County informed about parent participation developments and opportunities – to include email networks, Facebook, newsletters, press releases and publicity materials/ doodle poll etc
  • Circulate feedback from CPCF representativesattending locality and strategic meetings so that the wider forum understand what is happening on their behalf and can be more engaged
  • Facilitate and develop the network of parents & professionals at local and county levels in line with the CPCF development planwho come together virtually through use of ICT or attend face to face meetings.

Training & Events

  • Ensure the training needs of parentcarers are identified and steps taken to meet those needs wherever possible through organising suitable training and support packages
  • Co-ordination of CPCF events and training courses

General

  • To work within CPCF and CYA’s policies and procedures, with particular regard to the Equality and Health and Safety policies.
  • To undertake training as agreed with the steering group and Chief officer of Cumbria Youth Alliance

.

Person specification:

Please note only applicants meeting the essential criteria will be invited for interview

Essential / Desirable
Skills and experience
Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office, email and website management
  • able to use all aspects of Microsoft Office
  • able to use social media
  • able to maintain and update relevant databases
/ E
Meetings management and minute taking / E
Experience of grant or contract management, including preparation of monitoring reports / D
Numerate – able to work confidently and accurately with figures / D
Organisation of events / E
Preparation of newsletters and briefings taking account of local, regional and national policy and practice / D
Financial record keeping / D
Knowledge
Issues affecting families with children with additional needs / E
Governance arrangements for small voluntary sector organisations. / D
Aptitudes
Good interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a wide variety of recipients / E
Commitment to implementation of equality and diversity best practice / E
Able to work as a member of an interdependent team / E
Excellent organisational skills, accuracy and attention to detail / E
To be able to travel independently to attend meetings and events across Cumbria / E

Cumbria Youth Alliance is striving to be an equal opportunities employer

The applicants will be subject to DBS clearance prior to taking up the post and will be expected to provide two references one of which will be their current or last employer

The applicant will be expected to travel independently to undertake the role for which a generous mileage allowance is payable

The post can be office based with CYA in Workington or home based on agreement between the two parties.

To apply for the post ring Elspeth on 01900 603131 to request an application pack

To apply for the post email or for an informal chat about the job email

Closing date for applicants Friday 19th of June at 12 noon