Reports to: Head of Babyzone Wigan
Salary: £30,000 pro-rata
Hours: 1.5 days per week (term-time only) to include delivery day on Fridays (8:15am – 3:15pm)
Location: Wigan Youth Zone (WN1 1RU) for delivery day + remote working
The Role
Babyzone Wigan is a thriving early‑years initiative supporting families with children aged 0–5 years. We are looking for an experienced, hands‑on and collaborative Deputy Head to help lead the growth and day‑to‑day delivery of the programme. Working at the heart of our community offer, you will support the Head of Babyzone Wigan in shaping high‑quality sessions, strengthening family engagement, and ensuring that our work consistently reflects Babyzone's inclusive, evidence‑informed approach.
You will play a key role in:
* Supporting strategic planning and operational oversight
* Coordinating and motivating a small, high‑performing team
* Maintaining excellent safeguarding practice
* Building strong partnerships with local organisations and stakeholders
* Contributing to clear, impactful reporting for funders and leadership
Leadership and Team Management
* Recruit and manage a high calibre and motivated Babyzone team, ensuring they consistently demonstrate the high standards of service, conscientiousness and transparency you set.
* Act as the main point of contact for operational problem‑solving, risk management and safeguarding.
* Work collaboratively with all Babyzone staff, trustees and partners.
* Develop and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholders such as the council, other charities and the local WOW World Group delivery team.
Delivery and Operations
* Develop and refine the Wigan Babyzone offer so that it meets national standards while reflecting the specific needs of local families.
* Coordinate set‑up, free‑play, classes and close‑down alongside class leaders to ensure:
o Timely opening and closing of sessions
o Adequate staffing levels in all areas
o Safe, welcoming and high‑quality delivery across all spaces
* Oversee external contractors and manage Babyzone equipment to ensure safe and high‑quality use.
* Ensure the Youth Zone is returned to its original layout in time for the afternoon session, with all rooms cleared of any evidence of Babyzone activities.
* Ensure accurate and timely data collection, monitoring and reporting in line with Babyzone and funder requirements.
Partnerships
* Lead local marketing and outreach initiatives to ensure Babyzone reaches as many target families as possible.
* Build strong relationships with early years organisations and networks in the area, positioning Babyzone as a hub for early years thought, practice and collaboration.
* Plan and coordinate special events to:
o Widen Babyzone's offer
o Create variety and richness in activities
o Generate content and interest that supports strong attendance and engagement
Recruitment and HR Administration
* Supervise and guide additional volunteers, apprentices or support staff as necessary.
* Respond to and action reasonable requests from the Head of Babyzone Wigan, national management team or Board of Trustees.
* Invoice and payroll management.
Skills and Technical Competencies
Leadership and Team Management
* Strong leadership and interpersonal skills to manage and motivate a diverse team.
* Set clear performance targets for your team and support them in achieving them in a timely fashion.
* Effective coaching skills to facilitate professional development within your team.
Work Approach and Adaptability
* Flexible approach with the ability to work autonomously and as part of a growing team.
Communication and Stakeholder Management
* Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Technical Literacy
* Experience with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
* Experience with project management.
Value Alignment
* A passion for the Babyzone mission and a commitment to making a positive impact in the community.
Designated Safeguarding Lead Responsibilities
As part of your role as Deputy Head of Babyzone Wigan, you will also fulfil the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) alongside the Head of Babyzone Wigan, for which you will be fully trained. In the absence of the Head of Babyzone Wigan, the Designated Safeguarding Lead has a responsibility for Safeguarding and Child Protection.
Manage Referrals
* Refer cases of suspected abuse and neglect to the local authority safeguarding partnership department as required, and support staff who make referrals to the same.
* Refer cases to the Channel programme where there is a radicalisation concern, and support staff who make referrals to the Channel programme.
* Refer cases where a person is dismissed or has left due to risk/harm to a child to the Disclosure and Barring Service as required.
* Refer cases where a crime may have been committed to the Police as required.
Working with Others
* Act as a source of support, advice and expertise for all staff.
* Act as a point of contact with the safeguarding partners.
Information Sharing & Child Protection File Management
* Ensure child protection files are kept up to date and confidential.
* Include a clear and comprehensive summary of the concern including dates.
* Detail how the concern was followed up and resolved.
* Note any action taken, decisions reached and the outcome.
* Sign documents by the DSL.
* File only accessed by those who need to see it with written permission from the DSL.
Raising Awareness
* Ensure each member of staff and volunteer has access to, and understands Babyzone's safeguarding and child protection policy and procedures, especially new staff.
* Ensure Babyzone's safeguarding and child protection policy is reviewed annually (as a minimum) and the procedures and implementation are updated and reviewed regularly.
* Ensure the safeguarding and child protection policy is available publicly.
* Link with safeguarding partners to make sure staff are aware of any training opportunities and the latest local policies on local safeguarding arrangements.
Training, Knowledge and Skills
* Undergo training to provide the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role.
* Complete Prevent awareness training (The Prevent strategy, published by the Government in 2016, is part of Britain's counter‑terrorism strategy).
Providing Support to Staff
* Assist staff with welfare, safeguarding and child protection matters.
* Support staff during the referral processes.
Holding and Sharing Information
* Understand importance of information sharing within Babyzone and with safeguarding partners.
* Understand relevant data protection legislation and regulations, especially the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR.
* Keep detailed, accurate, secure written records of concerns and referrals and understand the purpose of this record‑keeping.
The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR do not prevent the sharing of information for the purposes of keeping children safe.
Employee Benefits
* Flexible, supportive working environment.
* Hybrid working for hours that are not within the Babyzone delivery day.
* Potential to claim additional hours in non‑term time periods, where needed.
* Pension contribution, life insurance and employee assistance programme.
* 26 days annual leave (pro‑rata).
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