SENIOR PLACEMENTS SUPPORT OFFICER - Flying Start – Early Help

Cyngor Caerdydd/Cardiff Council; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working opportunities

LGPS pension

Training and development

Job summary

Cardiff Council in Cardiff is seeking a capable manager to lead the Flying Start Childcare Placements team within the Early Help service. You will oversee the planning, allocation and monitoring of childcare placements, including those needing additional support, while using data to drive improvements for children and families.

The role requires strong organisational and communication skills, experience in office environments, and the ability to manage competing demands.

Qualifications

• Experience of line management in an office environment.
• Strong organisational and communication skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Welsh language desirable but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support delivery of the Flying Start Childcare Placements service, ensuring placements are allocated, monitored and managed effectively.
• Line manage the Childcare Placements team and oversee planning, organisation and delivery of placements, including those requiring additional support.
• Monitor attendance and placement data to improve outcomes for children and families; participate in Flying Start Outreach decisions.

Skills

Line management

Office 365

Data analysis

Communication

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Flying Start Childcare Placements team in Cardiff Early Help.

Flying Start is the Welsh Government targeted Early Years programme for families with children under 4 years of age in some of the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. The core elements of the programme are drawn from a range of options that have been shown to influence positive outcomes for children and their families. These include:

• Funded quality, part-time childcare for 2–3-year-olds
• An enhanced Health Visiting service
• Access to Parenting Programmes
• Early Language Development

The Flying Start programme in Cardiff sits within Cardiff Early Help. Cardiff Early Help is an innovative and progressive service within the Children Services directorate in Cardiff Council. Cardiff Early Help consists of several multi-professional teams that work collaboratively, as well as with partners, to support families.

We take the welfare of our staff seriously and strive to always create a positive working environment ensuring that our amazing workforce feel respected and valued.

Here are some examples of how we try and achieve this:

• A generous annual leave entitlement.
• Adaptable working arrangements, which can include a flexi scheme allowing you to work a schedule that suits you and meets the needs of the service. (if applicable)
• Access to the Cardiff & Vale of Glamorgan Pension Fund which is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), offering a reputable, secure and flexible pension plan.
• Guaranteed access to further Training & Development to give you the opportunity advance your career with us.
• Access to employee equality networks for support, guidance and socialising (these networks include the Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Network, Carers Network, Disability Network, LGBT Network & the Women’s Network).
• Hybrid working opportunities (if applicable)
• Access to comprehensive employee wellbeing support.
• Access to the MyAdvantages Employee Benefits Platform (which includes access to the Council’s Cycle to Work Scheme and exclusive discounts at retailers such as Asda, Tesco & Ikea).

About the job

This post is managed by the Childcare Placements and Contract Monitoring Office.

The purpose of this post is to lead and support the delivery of the Flying Start Childcare Placements service, ensuring that childcare placements are allocated, monitored and managed effectively in line with Welsh Government guidance and statutory requirements.

The postholder will line manage the Childcare Placements team and be responsible for overseeing the planning, organisation and delivery of childcare placements, including placements requiring additional support. They will support the monitoring and analysis of attendance and placement data, ensuring that information is used to improve outcomes for children and families.

In addition, the postholder will play an active role within the Flying Start Outreach Panel, making decisions regarding eligibility in line with local Flying Start Outreach policies and procedures.

What We Are Looking For From You

We are looking for an experienced and motivated individual with proven experience of working in an office environment and experience of line management. You will be confident leading a team, supporting performance and development, and ensuring service objectives are achieved.

The successful candidate will have excellent organisational and communication skills, with the ability to manage competing demands, prioritise workloads and work effectively to deadlines within a fast-paced environment. You will be able to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, families and partner agencies.

You will be proficient in Office 365 applications, including Outlook, Word and Excel, and able to demonstrate strong administrative and data management skills. You will also have the ability to analyse information, solve problems, use initiative and confidently manage difficult conversations when required.

Attention to detail, accuracy and a willingness to embrace new ideas and ways of working are essential.

Full details of the post are available on the Job Description and Person specification.

Welsh is not essential but desirable.

The ability to speak other languages, in particular Welsh alongside other community languages would be an advantage.

Additional information

This post is Temporary until March 31 st , 2027 (possibly an option to extend further)

Internal candidates who wish to apply for this position on a secondment basis must obtain approval prior to application using Form SEC1 (4.C.081). Requests may only be approved by the relevant Director/ Assistant Director/ Chief Officer or senior nominated officer graded no lower than OM2 or in the case of schools based staff the Headteacher / Governing Body.

This post is suitable for job share.

This post is subject to Disclosure & Barring Service Enhanced Checks.

We welcome applications in both English and Welsh. Applications in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than English applications.

We understand you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, original and does not include ideas or work that is not your own.

Job Category Social Services - Childrens

Working Pattern/Contract Type Full Time Temporary