Principle purposes of the job: To deliver group support services including: · provision of child focussed play/educational activities to support development · parental guidance to support child development · supervision of Play Leader and support for Volunteers · to work alongside the scheme Manager in the planning and delivery of group support Main responsibilities: · To work within Home-Start’s standards and methods of practice including Equal Opportunities, Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children, Confidentiality and all mandatory policies. · Work in close co-operation with the Play worker, Volunteers and other scheme staff as directed by the scheme Manager. · Work in partnership with other family support agencies, as appropriate · To make initial contact with families to assess their needs · Review family’s needs on a regular basis and at the end of support. · To maintain contact with individual referrers during a family’s support · To welcome all parents/carers to the Family Group, recognising the importance of their role as the prime educators of their children · To be aware of group dynamics ensuring the groups provide a non-judgemental environment for children and their parent/carer · To provide a safe, stimulating environment for children and their parents · To be vigilant about the upkeep of equipment ensuring good standards of safety and hygiene are followed. · To closely work alongside the Play Worker planning activities for the children · To make observations, record and report on children’s development · To encourage the active participation of parents/carers in their child’s play and other activities as appropriate · To provide opportunities for external agencies to offer advice/information to families · To promote the use of suitable toys, books and activities and encourage the use of local resources e.g. Toy Library, Library and Children & Family Centres · To complete a Risk Assessment prior to each session/outing · To keep a register at each session detailing names of all those attending, including visitors/speakers with an evaluation of each speaker · To record any accidents/incidents in the Accident or Incident Book and report as appropriate · To respond, record and report appropriately all Safeguarding Children/Child Protection issues · To liaise with the Manager regarding budgets · To promote the work of Home-Start with referrers · To be willing to undertake training as appropriate, including safeguarding/child protection. · To attend regular supervision sessions · To regularly attend staff Meetings