About the role
We're seeking an experienced Project Worker who is passionate about working with kinship carers and issues affecting children on the edge of the care system in order to transform the support they receive. We're looking for someone who has the interpersonal and communication skills to perform their role sensitively and creatively, and who is able to work collaboratively with local authorities across West Yorkshire (specifically Bradford and Calderdale) who have commissioned our service to support special guardians.
Who we’re looking for:
Kinship carers are at the heart of what we do, so you’ll be absolutely committed to the work of Grandparents Plus and passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable families. An experienced and thoughtful Project Worker, you’ll work in partnership with the team, our kinship carers and local authorities to deliver a sensitive and creative service.
Calm, practical and empathetic, you’ll strive to achieve the best impact for our kinship carers and the organisation. Confident working independently and able to respond and adapt to change positively, you'll demonstrate strong group facilitation skills, along with experience of facilitating remote support. You’ll also need excellent administration skills, balancing our reporting requirements and database input with the practical needs of the kinship carers.
This can be a tough role as you’ll be hearing stories from carers in crisis. As a team, we make time to make sure your wellbeing is also looked after and that we support each other.
About Grandparents Plus – the kinship care charity
Kinship care often begins in crisis - a child whose parents are unable to care for them, for whatever reason. It’s frightening, confusing and heart-breaking.
Instinctively, a loved one steps in – a grandparent, brother, sister, aunt, uncle or family friend. They are now a kinship carer, bringing up the children they love. There’s no chance to prepare. Plans are pushed aside. Relationships, jobs and savings are sacrificed.
It’s life-changing and challenging raising children who’ve lost their parents, but kinship carers do it without a thought for themselves because they put the children first.
And it’s a fight to get support. Kinship families raising over 200,000 children are on the brink of going under because there’s no recognition or support. They feel invisible. They are desperate.
At Grandparents Plus we know how hard life can be for kinship carers. But we’ve seen the amazing things they’re capable of with someone by their side. With the right support, children raised in kinship families flourish.
That’s why we support, connect and campaign. To keep kinship families stronger by keeping them together.
We use our experience and expertise to change lives. We are supporting kinship carers in their homes and communities, giving advice and helping them work through problems to find the best way forward.
We connect carers together in our national community and network of local support groups, to share experiences so they don’t have to face the fight alone.
We help professionals understand kinship families and improve support for them. And our research and campaigns make sure kinship care is understood and government knows what changes are needed.
We’ll not rest until the recognition and support is there for every kinship family.
We’re a friendly team, passionate about doing good, better.
If this also sounds like you, join us.
Closing date: Noon on Wednesday 3 June
Interview date: Wednesday 10 June
An exciting opportunity has arisen in our central operations to head up our fantastic Twinnage division as the Head of Twinnage. Twinnage is our overseas aid division and the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the Twinnage development programme within budget ensuring full compliance.
Working Hours = You will be contracted to 22.5 hours per week
Contract = Permanent
Location = Flexible on location but will require some travel
Salary = You will be paid £30,000.00 per annum (£50,000 FTE)
Benefits Package = 33 days holiday (pro rata) per year inclusive of bank holidays increasing to 38 days with service, competitive pension scheme, buy and sell holidays, birthday reward, enhanced maternity pay and lots more.
The main duties as Head of Twinnage will involve:
- Develop and manage the strategic plan including budgets and deliver within budget to agreed timescales
- Manage the Twinnage team including the Twinnage Administration Officer and a number of volunteers
- Manage all funding requirements to ensure the need is real and report / monitor all grants to sure payments follow Society policies
- Promote Twinnage and Overseas Development internally and externally
- Build and enhance partnership links with other Overseas development organisations and Social Justice teams
- Develop strong working relationship with internal Twinnage Officers and the 6 twin countries undertaking regular communication and visits
- Develop SVP Trading links with twinned countries so that produce made in those countries by the SVP local organisations is sold in England and Wales SVP shops
- Ensure that twinned countries have adequate safeguarding policies and procedures in place and in use
- Seek external funding to supplement Society raised funds for Twinnage projects in consultation with the fundraising team.
- Ensure that all requirements regarding the Charities Commission and the International Twinnage manual are understood, communicated and complied with.
It is essential for the candidate to demonstrate the following:
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Experience in a senior management role involving managing a programme, change management, budget management and strategic development
- NGO experience
- Good knowledge of the International Aid Sector and safeguarding practices
- Willingness to travel inside and outside the UK
- Proficiency in various IT systems including Microsoft Office
- Understanding of financial reports and measures
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Good organisation skills, including the ability to plan and priorities tasks
- Sympathy with the Christian aims and purposes of the Association and demonstrated cultural sensitivity
Other attributes that would be desirable but not essential are:
- Experience in working with and managing volunteers
- Working experience in Risk Management, internal audits, fundraising and marketing
In return we’ll provide you with the opportunity to work for a welcoming organisation that offers support and guidance to all members of staff.
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