White Lodge Centre General Employment Policies

Job Description TREETOPS CO-ORDINATOR

Service: Children and Young People

Job Title: Treetops Co-ordinator

Responsible For: Senior and Support Staff and Volunteers (through line management structure)

Responsible To: Head of Services for Children and Young People (through appraisal process)

Job Purpose: To co-ordinate the 24 hour Residential Leisure Breaks Centre: Treetops

Job Context: White Lodge Centre is an independent voluntary organisation working with children and adults with disabilities. All staff must adhere to its agreed aims and objectives.

White Lodge Centre General Employment Policies 1. To work within the context of all the organisations policies and procedures.

2. To work in a way consistent with the principle of equal opportunities, giving each person practical skills and social status that are valued within their communities, ensuring anti-racist and anti-sexist work practices which promote anti-discriminatory attitudes and behaviour.

3. To be aware of and sensitive to the impact of class, gender, race and prejudice on attitudes, professional relationships and professional judgement and be willing to intervene.

4. To maintain confidentiality at all times and to ensure respect for, proper observance of and adhere to the organisation's confidentiality policy for all staff.

5. To ensure all relevant aspects of Health and Safety requirements are known and adhered to, ensuring the health and safety of staff and volunteers at all times.

6. To undertake any other duties which are consistent with the post.

7. This job description is subject to periodic review and it is expected the post holder will contribute to the active development of the role as the needs of the organisation alter and to be available and willing to undertake training as appropriate.

Job Description: Treetops Co-ordinator December 2007. Page 1 Reviewed 2013. Feb 2017 Treetops Co-ordinator: Accountabilities and Tasks Main Duties: Legislation / Health and Safety 1. Ensure that all practice is in line with policies, procedures and the National Minimum Standards and Regulations for Children’s Homes, monitored by Ofsted. 2. Keep clear, accurate and up-to-date records and ensure they are filed correctly and securely. 3. Ensure that all equipment and materials comply with current safety checks. 4. Ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of their responsibilities regarding Health and Safety. 5. Ensure that risk assessments are undertaken.

The Young Person and their Family 1. Maintain the key worker system ensuring that each family has a named point of contact and are involved in all aspects of their child's care. 2. Monitor and contribute to the assessment and implementation of the All About Me documents, including risk assessments, for all children / young people using the service. 3. Work with families and other professionals to provide a co-ordinated service, attend the Referral and Planning meeting, reviews, Team Around the Child meetings and visit other services used by the families. 4. Host and provide activities to involve the families of the children who use Treetops.

Service Specific Tasks 1. Advertise for, recruit, train and supervise staff and volunteers 2. Write the rotas. 3. Organise the children’s bookings. 4. Monitor the service usage and provide information as requested. 5. Work occasional shifts including covering for staff in an emergency. 6. Chair Treetops staff meetings. 7. Work within an agreed budget. 8. Oversee the implementation of the activity programme. 9. Oversee the day to day running of Treetops, including catering and cleaning.

Staff and Volunteer Support, Training and Development 1. Provide individual and group supervision for staff. 2. Research, attend and provide training when required. 3. Be part of a team that is available to staff out of hours in an emergency situation. 4. Keep up-to-date with research, evaluate the effectiveness of the service and implement changes as necessary. 5. Maintain the quality standards of White Lodge Centre and external bodies. 6. Attend staff meetings and contribute to the promotion of good practice across the service.

Job Description: Treetops Co-ordinator December 2007. Page 2 Reviewed 2013. Feb 2017 Treetops Co-ordinator: Personal Requirements for the Role Experience / Training Required for the Role 1. Diploma in Social Work, CQSW or equivalent and registration with the General Social Care Council or Registered Managers Award.

Skills / Knowledge Required for the Role 1. Sound knowledge of the Children Act 1989 and 2004 and the National Minimum Standards and Regulations for Children’s Homes. 2. Knowledge and understanding of the circumstances that lead to families seeking short-breaks. 3. Understanding of child development including the impact of disability on this. 4. Knowledge and understanding of the issues involved for disabled children being cared for in short break settings. 5. Knowledge of IT, ability to use word, excel and outlook. 6. Understanding of the social model of disability.

Skills / Personal Qualities Required for the Role 1. A desire to make a positive contribution. 2. An ability to see the world from a child / young person’s perspective. 3. A desire to ensure disabled children / young people have access to the same opportunities as others. 4. An ability to process and manage information from a diverse range of sources. 5. Confidence and sensitivity in dealings with families, staff and other colleagues in order to balance diverse views and maintain good practice. 6. Excellent observation and report writing skills. 7. Active listening skills. 8. An ability to manage own emotions. 9. Honesty about own abilities and commitment to personal development. 10. Open-mindedness. 11. An ability to lead and motivate a team and exchange skills and ideas for the benefit of the service. 12. An ability to work under pressure and remain calm in a crisis. 13. An ability to contribute to discussion in order to develop the service. 14. An ability to work flexibly. 15. Presentation skills in order to “market” the service. 16. A high level of organisational skills. 17. A commitment to involving disabled children and their families in service development.

Other Requirements 1. A clean driving licence and access to own transport.

Job Description: Treetops Co-ordinator December 2007. Page 3 Reviewed 2013. Feb 2017