RECRUITMENT PACK
Head of Learning and Engagement
Welcome
Many thanks for your interest in the role of Head of Learning and Engagement. I hope you find this information interesting and informative.
About Us
WHAT do we do?
We’re a UK based social enterprise founded in 1919 that works with people to improve their lives at home, in their families, through their health and wider support networks
WHY do we do it?
Whatever challenges life brings, we believe that everyone should have the chance to change things for the better
WHERE are we going?
We’ll approach our centenary in the spirit of our early days…responsive to a changing world, meeting unmet need, and delivering stand-out support wherever we work
In years gone by we have developed some of the best known names in community support including Age Concern, the Citizen's Advice Bureau, Legal Aid and the UK's first young carers’ service. Today, we’re a diverse and dynamic organisation working in the UK providing person centred support services across a spectrum of personal experience and need.
We work in the North West of England, the Midlands, Yorkshire and North Wales delivering services for adults, children and young people. We work across the age spectrum, with adults and children, and we have a diverse range of service provision:
Our annual turnover is in the region of £13m; we employ in the region of 400 people, work with over 500 self- employed Shared Lives Carers, enjoy the support of over 200 volunteers and provide placements for social work students from a number of universities. We support up to 20,000 people per year.
Having a highly skilled, competent and values-driven workforce is central to the success of PSS and the quality of the services we provide. We are committed to providinglearning and development opportunities to support our people to be the best they can be in their current role and/or move forwards in their future career.
We are an Investor in People and we work hard to be a good employer by treating people fairly and supporting them to look after themselves. We have a number of ongoing wellbeing initiatives and have trained all our managers in mindfulness. We want to give our people the support they need to play their part in achieving the organisation’s vision andbelieve that effective staff engagement is crucial to this. We already have a range of mechanisms in place to promote staff engagement but this is an area we want to develop further in PSS.
About the role
Reporting to the Director of Services, the Head of Learning and Engagement will drive learning, development and staff engagement strategies to support the delivery of organisational goals. The post-holder will have the lead role in designing and implementing learning programmes to support staff across the whole of PSS, from frontline operational staff to senior managers and the Board.
You will line manage a Learning and Development Business Partner who is responsible for ensuring the provision of mandatory learning and development for staff working in our regulated health and social care services. By line managing the Universities Partnership Manager in PSS you will also support our ongoing commitment to working with higher education establishments to provide placements for health and social care students.
You will need to be someone who is self- driven with an attitude of setting challenging goals and a bias for action.
Working Hours
37 hours per week. Working hours are those required to fulfil the responsibilities therefore the post holder will be expected to be flexible in accordance with requirements.
Location
This post will be based at the PSS Head Office in Liverpool.
Salary
c£35k per annum
Annual Leave
29 days per year in addition to eight paid statutory bank holidays (bank holidays are pro rata for part-time staff).
Pensions
PSS operates an Occupational Pension Scheme with the Pensions Trust.
Conditions of Service
Offers of employment are made subject to the following conditions:
a)Completion of medical questionnaire
b)Receipt of two satisfactory references, including one reference from a current or most recent employer.
c)Authorisation to work in the UK. Under the Immigration, Asylum & Nationality Act 2006 successful candidates will be required to produce documentation which demonstrates their authorisation to work in the UK. Documents may include; Passport; full birth certificate; UK work permit; Home Office letter.
If you would like to have an informal discussion about the post please call Christine Barker (Director of Services) on 0151 702 5543.
JOB TITLE:Head of Learning and Engagement
REF:
SERVICE:Central Services (Operations Directorate)
PEOPLE
Reports to: Director of Services
Number of direct reports: 2
Key relationships: Learning and Development Business Partner
Universities Partnership Manager
Director of Services
Head of People and Culture
Senior Management Team
Leadership Team
Salary c£35k per annum
FINANCIAL/BUDGETDirectly responsible for a budget of circa £140k and indirect responsibility for a budget of £95k
DECISION MAKING
AUTHORITY/AUTONOMY
Leads on learning/development and staff engagement strategies across PSS
Contributes to the direction of the organisation through input into the wider strategic plan
Works autonomously on a day to day basis under the broad direction of the Director of Services
Able to authorise expenditure in accordance with the PSS delegation of authority guidance
COMPLEXITYHas a broad and deep knowledge of a specialist professional area and an understanding of its importance to the wider business and stakeholders.
Makes decisions which impact on the achievement of organisational objectives.
MAIN PURPOSE
To develop and deliver learning, development strategies and staff engagement strategies to support the achievement of PSS business objectives.
SCOPE OF JOB AND FOCUS OF ROLE
•Service Delivery –80%
•People Management –10%
•Finance and Resources –10%
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Service Delivery
1.To develop and deliver a learning and development strategy that ensures the provision of appropriate and cost-effective learning and also maximises internal expertise/resources.
2.To develop and implement mechanisms (e.g. a training matrix) to support managers in identifying mandatory, role specific and individual learning needs by job role.
3.To review existing practices, systems and processes for the co-ordination of learning and development, introducing new ways of working to maximize efficiency and effectiveness
4.To ensure that there is a robust process for evaluating learning to evidence quality, impact and return on investment
5.To review and develop current organisational development programmes, such as the Management and Leadership Development Programme, to maximise impact.
6.To support and further develop processesfor the recruitment of apprentices across PSS in both social care and finance/business administration settings, advising managers as required.
7.To lead on activity to maintain and progress PSS’s Investors in People status.
8.To maintain a fit for purpose suite of relevant policies and procedures to underpin the delivery of the learning and development strategy
9.To take the lead role in programmes of activity to ensure high levels of employee engagement. This will include supporting senior leadership communication and visibility, ongoing manager development programmes, the provision of a cohesive and coordinated induction process and mechanisms to strengthen the staff ‘voice’.
10.To support the ongoing development of relationships with higher educational establishments to maximise the benefits of student placements in PSS services
11.To maintain a strong knowledge and understanding of quality and evidenced best practice in the field of organisational development
12.To contribute to appropriate directorate risk registers, identifying, managing, monitoring and escalating risks appropriately.
People Management
13.To provide leadership and effective management to the Learning and Engagement team, engendering a ‘one PSS’culture with active engagement across the organisation
14.Develop, lead and sustain a culture based upon the key PSS values
15.To form and communicate a clear vision and direction for the Learning and Engagement team, creating a sense of unity and common purpose
16.Lead, manage and develop staff in a way that promotes high performance, develops staff and recognises talent
17.Manage the inter-relationships between the Learning and Engagement department and PSS services, promoting flexible, collaborative working and innovation
Finance and Resources
18.Prepare, monitor and report on the Learning and Development budget and ensure financial performance targets are met.
19.Ensure that PSS financial systems and procedures are followed and that deadlines for the processing of transactions are met.
20.Work proactively to maximise efficient and effective use of resources
21.Provide any information required by the Director of Services, other members of the Leadership Team or the Board of Trustees
ADDITIONAL DUTIES
1. To actively participate in developing directorate, team and individual objectives and
plans, attend staff performance management and learning and development reviews.
2. The post holder is expected to be flexible in the performance of duties and to
undertake any other duties identified as appropriate to the post.
3. All jobs are subject to change from time to time and this job description will be reviewed regularly.
PSS POLICIES
All employees are required to implement and follow PSS policies and procedures and to
undergo any training associated with them.
JOB DESCRIPTION
This job description is a guide to the work you will be required to undertake and represents a range of responsibilities commensurate with the grade for the post. It does not form part of your contract of employment.
PREPARED BY:______DATE:______
APPROVED BY:______DATE:______
Person Specification
Job Title: Head of Learning and Engagement
Requirement / Essential / Assess from:E= Essential
D = Desirable / A = application
I = interview
R = references
E = exercise/practical
Qualifications
CIPD Level 5 Certificate/Diploma in Learning and Development - orcomparable expertise through study or experience
Evidence of continuing professional development / E
E / A
A,I
Knowledge
A strong knowledge and understanding of organisational development practices that facilitate and support learning and staff engagement
Knowledge of how to use e-learning, ICT and information to support the delivery of learning and development strategy across PSS
Knowledge of learning and development in the support quality social care service delivery / E
E
D / A/I
A/I
A
Skills
Excellent analytical skills, especially in the evaluation of learning and return on investment
Ability to identify the learning and development needed in the organisation to support continuous improvement.
Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to motivate staff, and maintain effective relationships with senior managers, staff, volunteer supporters, service users and suppliers. / E
E
E / A/I
A/I
A/I
Experience
Successfully led and delivered a range of organisational learning and development interventions with proven business benefit
Proven experience of managing and developing staff.
Experience of delivering staff engagement programmes / E
E
D / A/I/R
A/I/R
A/I
Attitude
A pro-active and self-motivated approach
Self-belief and drive, with a ‘can do’attitude
Flexibility, ability to implement change and develop practice in response to emerging needs
Self-aware and takes responsibility for results
Commitment to, and demonstration of, the PSS values / E
E
E
E
E / A/I/R
A/I/R
A/I/R
A/I/R
I
How to apply
Applications should be emailed to
Sending Applications
People and Culture Department
PSS
18 Seel Street
Liverpool
L1 4BE
Closing date for applications: Friday 18 March 2016
Interviews will be held: w/c 28 March 2016
When responding to the person specification, you should consider your own experience and suitability for the role. We suggest that you take each person specification item individually and then provide your evidence point by point.
If you have any questions relating to your application or you have any special requirements, please contact Sonia McVey on 0151 702 5584.
We look forward to receiving your application and would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in working for PSS.