Service Coordinator (12561)

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.

The London IV and Advocacy Service delivers Independent Visitors, Advocacy, Appropriate Adults in Age Assessments and Return Home Interviews for children in contact with Children's Social Service.

The London Independent Visitors Service is a dynamic project that enables children in care to develop a long-lasting relationship with a trusted adult volunteer. The Advocacy Service promotes and facilitates the participation of children and young people in decisions made about them.

How you'll help to create brighter futures

In this role, you will be leading a team of Volunteer Coordinators supporting a team of volunteers befriending children in care. With a strong understanding of the children care system and volunteering services and children safeguarding legal framework, you will be responsible for the delivery of the IV Service under the National Standards for the Provision of Independent Visitors Services.

How you will create bright futures:

• Provide a high-quality service to children, young people, and their families, based on an assessment of need and outcomes.


• Lead a team of advocates and/or volunteer coordinators.


• Give advice on best practice and the rights of children in need, looked after children and care leavers.


• Collaborate with senior staff and managers to review and evaluate service provision, ensuring continued improvements, driving innovation and business development for an assigned area of work.


• Provide support to children, young people, and families by agreeing and applying interventions, liaising with other agencies and professionals.


• Participate, chair, facilitate and lead multiagency meetings.


• Nurture, develop and promote effective relationships and communication with colleagues, community organisations, partner agencies and other external agencies.
  
  You will bring a dynamic approach to leading the Advocacy Service and IV Service's growth and development, ensuring new approaches to the work are successfully implemented and securing the compliance with the relevant legal framework and applicable standards. You will be leading a team of Advocates and/or Volunteer Coordinators delivering high quality services for children and young people.


• Significant experience of working with children, young people and families in a multi-agency environment, achieving positive outcomes through intervention.


• Experience delivering commissioned services and promoting continuous service improvement and innovation in partnership with all stakeholders.


• The proven ability to lead by example with the completion of processes and procedures to the expectations and standards designated, and to guide and advise less experienced colleagues.


• Advanced experience of chairing, supporting, and contributing to service planning meetings.


• Experience of development and practice of community working, including influencing involvement.


• The ability to produce clear, concise written reports capturing and progressing the salient issues to action.


• Ability to prioritise workload to achieve and deliver within agreed timescales and within budget.


• Demonstrable experience, knowledge and understanding of childcare legislation and safeguarding requirements.
  
  29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays, 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 688,000 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.