Job info	Job info details
Job title	Service Manager – Best Start in Life and Family Hubs - 37 Hours
Strategic team/Directorate	Children’s Services
Service	SEND and Education
Business unit	Best Start in Life and Family Hubs
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Head of Service – Best Start in Life and Family Hubs
Accountable to (line manager)	Head of Service – Best Start in Life and Family Hubs
Salary grade	Grade L
JE ref	CSERV066

1. Key purpose of job

• To be responsible for the delivery of all the Best Start in Life and Family Hub programmes in Torbay which incorporates the operational delivery of high-quality Early Years practice in Torbay Schools and Early Years settings (including childminders and private voluntary and independent sector).
• To improve the outcomes for children (0 to 5) and families with early years children.
• To take the operational lead of the Early Years Advisory Service, Home Learning Environment, Early Years Business and Finance, Early Years Language and Portage service to raise standards within early years, developing support and challenge models.
• To work directly to empower all those working in the early years sector to develop inclusive learning environments.
• To operationalise the Best Start in Life and Family Hubs strategies.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Improved outcomes for children aged 0 to 5 years.
• A greater proportion of children are “nursery and school ready” through the early identification of need and intervention.
• Reduced inequalities in outcomes for children aged 0 to 5 years.
• Increased confidence of professionals working with families to advise on quality early years practice.
• Improved communication and early language skills for children aged 2-5.

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• To take the operational responsibility of the Early Years Advisory Service, brokering support for the development of best practice within and outside the Local Authority and providing direct support and advice to the sector where required.
• To provide challenge, advice and practical support for the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage (or equivalent), to ensure that principles of best practice regarding teaching and learning and management of the curriculum and environment are fulfilled.
• To be responsible for the development, implementation and review of the following strategies: Early Years and Early Language Home Learning Environment, Best Start in Life and Family Hubs.
• To manage EYFSP data and targets, ensuring targeting of support in areas of development.
• To ensure effective partnership working between the Local Authority, Torbay Teaching School Alliance, Family Hubs and the Early Years sector. Chairing and leading forums and partnership groups.
• Lead engagement and co-production with Early Years Sector through the co-development of forums.
• To support the Head of Service with the development, planning and implement a workforce training and development programme for the Early Years and Childcare sector to meet the needs of the practitioners and impact on the quality of provision provided to children.
• To ensure practice reflects national policy development with respect to the national early years agenda, Best Start in Life programme and Family Hub agenda.
• To develop and disseminate good practice through the further development of networks.
• To improve liaison between the maintained and non-maintained sectors to promote continuity of learning throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• To support the Head of Service to improve leadership and management at all levels within the Early Years Sector.
• To provide targeted support and tracking of children that are vulnerable to ensure key issues are addressed effectively and barriers to learning are overcome and report key concerns to the Head of Service.
• Lead on early language and home learning environment training plan to practitioners to support parents in order improve school readiness.
• To produce reports and evidence on the impact of the services provided as required.

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None.

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• Directly Line Manage and supervise:
  • Early Language Consultant x 1fte.
  • Home learning Environment Development Worker x 2fte.
  • Early Years Advisory Teacher x 2.18fte.
  • Early Years Business and Finance Officer x 1fte.
  • Home Learning Environment Outreach Development Worker x 1fte.
  • Portage Home Visitors x 3fte.

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working environment and conditions.

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical demands.

8. Specific resources used by the post

• Normal office resources e.g., IT equipment, telephone, fax photocopier, projector etc.

9. Key contacts and relationships

External

• Local Early Years Providers.
• Schools.
• Ofsted/DfE.
• Family Hubs.
• Other Local Authorities.

Internal

• Working with staff at all levels within the Council, engaging with Members through formal governance mechanisms. Specifically working with Early Years Team, Learning Academy, Education and Social Care.

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.

Other Information

• All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Childrens Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• The post is eligible for hybrid working.
• As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Disclosure & Barring Service before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Service Manager – Best Start in Life and Family Hubs - 37 Hours
Strategic team/Directorate	Children’s Services
Service	SEND and Education
Business unit	Best Start in Life and Family Hubs

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Ability to implement strategies, policies and model effective high-quality practice in early years.
• Ability to drive forward strategic decisions in relation to the quality of service.
• Able to communicate effectively with different people in different settings, adapting style to suit the audience and situation.
• Effective organisational skills, including the ability to plan work programmes which make optimum use of available resources, especially time.
• Ability to be adaptable and take the initiative.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to relate to a range of professionals including LA colleagues, early years practitioners and other agencies.
• Willingness to share expertise, skills and knowledge and work as part of a team.
• Effective negotiation skills and the ability to deal with conflict.
• The ability to deliver high quality training and support to a range of colleagues and external partners.
• The ability to enthuse, motivate and inspire colleagues in the field of early years care and education and develop effective partnerships.
• An ability to work within corporate policies and an understanding of, and commitment to, equal opportunities.
• Experience of working with a range of IT software including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Internet Explorer.
• The ability to deliver high quality supervision to a range of staff working at various level in different areas of the service.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

N/A

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• A clear understanding of the principles involved in delivering an effective Early Years curriculum.
• Knowledge of Early Years Foundation Stage (or equivalent) and how this translates into good practice.
• Knowledge of the evidence-based practice in early years.
• Knowledge of the current legislative framework within which schools and early years settings operate.
• Knowledge and understanding of the benefits of partnership arrangements across the early years sector.
• Knowledge of evidence based early language interventions.
• A clear understanding of the Best Start in Life agenda and how this translates into a practice framework and programme of work.

Desirable knowledge

N/A

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Experience of successful leadership and management in a setting delivering the early years foundation stage.
• Significant management experience.
• Experience of building capacity in colleagues through coaching, mentoring and the delivery of a CPD plan.
• Successful experience of working with Managers and Headteachers.
• Proven experience of achieving and maintaining service improvements.

Desirable experience and achievements

N/A

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to degree level or equivalent.
• An additional, relevant professional qualification.

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• NPQH, NPQICL.
• Early Years Professional Status.

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to travel efficiently around the Bay/Southwest/UK in order to carry out duties.
• Ability to accommodate occasional homeworking.