Service Coordinator

Action for Children; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading child welfare organization is seeking a Service Co-ordinator in Ballymena to oversee early years services for children aged 2-3 years. The role involves leadership, managing a team, and ensuring compliance with childcare standards. Applicants should have a QCF Level 5 qualification in children's care and at least two years of experience in early years settings. This full-time position offers a competitive salary and various benefits, contributing to vital support for vulnerable children and families across the UK.

Benefits

29 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Professional qualifications and training opportunities

Flexible family leave packages

Pension with employer contribution

Staff discount portal

Qualifications

• Minimum qualification of QCF Level 5 Diploma in Children’s Care.
• A current Safeguarding and Child Protection Certificate.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience in an early years setting.

Responsibilities

• Lead service development and ensure compliance with standards.
• Supervise a team of Early Years practitioners.
• Maintain high-quality provision in an Early Years service.

Skills

Leadership

Organisational skills

Team management

Collaboration with partner agencies

Education

QCF Level 5 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

Job description

Service Co-ordinator

Salary: £34,000 per annum.

Location: St Josephs Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Contract/Hours: Permanent, Full-time (37 hours a week).

Benefits:

• 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave.
• Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities.
• Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages.
• Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover.
• Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailers’ discounts.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help.

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family, you'll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year, we helped more than 687,000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning, we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood, and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children?

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. It's the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that, when we work together, we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable children's lives.

A bit about the role

Ballymena & Little Steps SureStart provides a range of health, play & learning and parenting support services to both children from pre-birth up to four years old and their families. Ballymena & Little Steps Sure Start comprises a multi-disciplinary team and works in close partnership with a range of local Statutory, Voluntary and Community groups to promote effective service delivery in response to the needs of the local children and families across the designated SureStart areas.

As a Service Coordinator you will act as an Early Years lead within Ballymena and Little Steps Sure Start, with primary responsibility for overseeing the Sure Start Developmental Programme for 2-3 year olds – a pre-preschool initiative funded by the Department of Education to improve outcomes for young children. This role involves:

• Leading service development and ensuring compliance with minimum standards for childminding and daycare in Northern Ireland.
• Managing and supervising a team of Early Years practitioners, including acting as a Senior Key Worker.
• Overseeing a registered Early Years service and maintaining high-quality provision.
• Allocating and monitoring referrals, tracking outcomes and maintaining accurate case records.
• Working collaboratively with partner agencies to deliver integrated support for children and families.
• Site lead and health & safety lead.

This position requires strong leadership, organisational skills and a commitment to improving early childhood development through evidence-based practice.

This role is for working 37 hours a week Monday to Friday and is generally 9am to 5pm as these are the service hours.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

• Providing a high-quality service to children on an assessment of need and outcomes.
• Being responsible for the delivery of quality services, including operational and strategic planning and deployment of resources and to work with commissioners and other external bodies.
• Providing direct and line management of staff, applying appropriate policies and procedures, also sharing knowledge and experience through coaching and mentoring techniques.
• Delivering a safe and positive work and service environment through compliance with all safeguarding, safer recruitment, health and safety policy and procedure.

Let's talk about you

• Minimum qualification of QCF Level 5 Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development; or a relevant occupational qualification in early years education, social work, nursing, teaching or health visiting.
• A current Safeguarding and Child Protection Certificate.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience in an early years setting.
• Experience of supervising staff.
• Experience of working within regulatory frameworks.
• Access to a car and full driving licence.

Contact

[e-mail] quoting reference 12418.

Closing date: Monday 5th January 2026.

Interview date: Monday 12th January 2026 face to face at St Josephs Ballymena.

Good to know

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details, CV, Supporting Statement & Information, Equality & Diversity, Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. We'd love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if you'd rather we didn't.

To be eligible for this position you must complete an Access Ni Enhanced Disclosure.

Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.

A copy of the Access Ni Code of Practice can be found here.

Policies on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders & Access Ni Disclosure Handing Policy are also available on demand.

Diversity, equality and inclusion

At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace.

We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff are under-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Don't meet every single requirement?

If you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description, we'd love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role, or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children?

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Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet