Workforce Development Officer

We are pleased to be recruiting a Workforce Development Officer based in the Workforce Development team, Children and Families Service. Our aim is to create a consistent and effective offer of learning and development for the workforce to enable them to support and improve outcomes for the children and families in Leeds. We have 4 key principles that guide our development offer - being research informed and restorative in nature, child and family centred and being outcome focused. The Workforce Development team works at a fast pace whilst being flexible to change and therefore responding to the needs of service. The role of workforce development officer is diverse offering many opportunities to work in different areas supporting children and families staff and requires flexible thinking to continually improve our learning and development offer. As well as co-ordinating over 500 courses annually, the team co ordinates services qualifications, apprenticeships, Social Work Newly Qualified programme, Practice Education and students, induction programmes for new staff to residential and social work services, support fostering service, delivers the Therapeutic Crisis Intervention programme, Restorative Practice as well as commissioning specialist training where required. Your role The role will be focussing on children and families residential service supporting the statutory and mandatory learning and development that residential staff require, this will include the delivery of all aspects of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training, safeguarding and induction for new staff. Knowledge and experience of working in a residential setting would be an advantage, however, this is not essential. The role will give the opportunity to develop engaging learning resources that utilise technology along with being expected to deliver specific training courses including researching content, design and development. The role requires someone who has experience of the full training cycle and who takes the initiative to ensure we identify and support Children and Families Service effectively through the provision of a high-quality learning and development offer. We are looking for someone who is solution focused and is willing to learn innovative training methodology and delivery platforms; as well as being proficient in technology used to engage the learner. As a workforce development officer you will need to be able to work well and effectively in partnership with services, be part of a diverse team whilst working remotely at times, manage, co ordinate and deliver projects and training programmes. The role requires the person to be physically able to deliver a specific course that includes demonstrating multiple strenuous physical interventions., To undertake/ensure the design, development, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of agreed training and development interventions using a variety of delivery platforms and media. Direct delivery and/or organisation of training and the commissioning of external provision. To research evidence based practice and keep up to date with legislative changes and policy that are central to the delivery of social care and statutory training, in order to ensure the delivery of high quality provision,

• To design, develop, deliver, monitor and evaluate learning events for the children's workforce based on national policy, legislative requirements, city and service priorities and individual learning and development plans.
• To work collaboratively with others across the children's workforce including colleagues in other Services, Directorates and partner agencies to establish a consistent learning and development offer.
• To develop strategies/programmes/resources for identifying and meeting learning and development needs, using available technology as appropriate
• To deliver learning and development events using evidence-based practice locally and on a city wide / national basis.
• To promote a learning culture within which learning, and development activities support priorities such as Child Friendly City and the council's core values.
• To commission training from approved LCC suppliers within LCC financial regulations.
• To contribute to the development of management development programmes.
• To undertake/contribute to the evaluation of learning events, processes and plans maximising the use of Microsoft 365 and other technology available
• To lead or contribute as required to projects / specific learning events to improve learning and development processes (e.g. induction, appraisal, personal development plans)
• To contribute to the development of workforce reform planning and delivery.
• To support the Workforce Development Manager in building a culture of learning and development across the children's workforce
• Work in partnership with colleagues in developing Learning and Development Plans which contribute to the achievement of appraisal and service objectives
• Provision of guidance and support to colleagues in developing best practice in workforce development and learning and development
• Contributing to review and assessment of learning and development practice
• To effectively promote and market learning and development events using available technology such as Microsoft 365.
• To work flexibly and be adaptable to change whilst supporting others to meet the needs of the service and team.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge and skills.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and appropriate CPD programmes.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, knowing when to seek help and advice.
• Contribute to the overall ethos, work, and aims of the service by attending relevant meetings, training days/events as requested.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures e.g., child protection, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting all concerns to an appropriate person
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, and promoting the values, standards, and equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse of equal opportunities, ensuring compliance with relevant policies and procedures.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and this role will be expected to work within these parameters.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post., Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.
  
  Are you a learning and development specialist? Have you experience in delivering learning and development and training? Do you feel passionately about making a difference and improving outcomes for children and young people? If so, this job may be for you., You will have excellent communication skills and be a team player. You will be motivated and a critical thinker with the ability to understand the needs of your customers.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's barred list will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy., The successful postholder will be expected to undertake a relevant training qualification such as NVQ level 3/4 in Training and Development or PTTLS Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.
• Training delivery, presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to identify development and training needs to establish Learning outcomes and training design
• Ability to use Microsoft 365 to monitor projects, plan and communicate workforce development resources
• Ability to design bespoke online learning programme and or packages that are inclusive and accessible and able to meet a range of abilities
• Ability to support the management of training budgets including commissioning services.
• Ability to manage competing and diverse deadlines for projects/priorities.
• Ability to model good practice through understanding and demonstrating key qualities and behaviours.
• Ability to support the implementation of corporate vision and values through creating flexible learning and development opportunities.
• Good communication skills and the ability to communicate complex or politically sensitive issues to a range of partners including elected members.
• Skilled in quickly developing productive, working relationships with internal and external partners that command respect, trust and confidence and achieve positive outcomes.
• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate., Knowledge and understanding of national policy implications and legislation in relation to children and young people
• Knowledge and understanding of national policy relating to development of the children and young people's workforce
• Good knowledge and understanding of individual responsibility for health and safety
• To undertake a training qualification such as NVQ level 3/4 in Training and Development or PTTLS.
• Understanding of the full training cycle in design and delivery
• Understanding of the main themes of Restorative Practice and can adopt a WITH approach to working with people and building relationships
• Good knowledge of the needs of locality partners in terms of access to learning and development opportunities.
• A good understanding of and commitment to sustainability in service delivery, Experience of providing services to children/ young people/families.
• Experience and ability to support internal and external meetings/events.
• Experience of engaging and consulting stakeholder groups to effectively identify need and of shaping services accordingly.
• Significant experience of supporting, developing and implementing learning and development strategies and processes.
• Experience of developing and delivering formal and structured training to a range of colleagues within the children and families workforce.
• Experience of managing risk in relation to an area of work.
• Experience and skills in Learning outcomes and training design
• Experience of managing own workload and balancing competing priorities, Ability to use technology such as video and animation to develop workforce development resources., Good knowledge of Occupational Standards and accreditation routes
• A degree relevant to working in Children/Family Services such as Youth Work, Social Work, Teaching or equivalent occupational qualification
• Possession of a training qualification such as NVQ level 3/4 in Training and Development or PTTLS.
• Relevant assessor qualifications and internal verifier qualifications, Experience of delivering successful cross sector or cross service projects and initiatives with limited resources
• Experience of working in a workforce development or training environment
  
  Leeds Children and Families Service prides itself on being at the forefront of innovating new ways of working. We would like someone to join us in our ambition to become the Best Council, working together as a Team for Leeds. Do your values match ours and do you have something to offer?
Leeds City Council delivers over 500 different services to residents and is dedicated to bringing the benefits of a prosperous, vibrant, and attractive city to the people of Leeds. This is a fantastic time to join us.


• a competitive pay progression structure including generous employer pension contributions
• flexible career paths with tailored personal and professional development
• support for you, your home and your family including personal, and financial support
• hybrid working arrangements (subject to needs of the role) and a flexitime system