Strategy Manager, Workforce Development and Training

Job Title: Strategy Manager, Workforce Development and Training Job Grade: Band 7 Directorate: Job Reference Number: Schools, Children and Families P00914 The Role Deputise for the Head of Early Years and Childcare as necessary. As part of the senior management team within the Early Years and Childcare area, support the Head of Early Years and Childcare with strategic planning and service development and contribute to overall priority setting for budgets and resources. Job Purpose Workforce Development: Lead, develop and manage the early years and childcare workforce development strategy for the County Council and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership so as to ensure statutory targets are met including those relating to the common core, early years and childcare sector professional development and recruitment. Training Strategy: Lead the County Council s and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership's training and development strategy for addressing quality in settings for children 0-16 years old, and ensure coherence with the quality improvement strategy for the workforce, including in relation to the early years foundation stage, and ensure relevant induction and professional development for EYCS and Partner staff in line with ECC SCF requirements Training Capacity and Quality: Act as commissioner with regard to relevant partner agencies and training providers, ensuring the appropriate capacity to meet training requirements in line with national strategies, and delivery of high quality early years and childcare training and quality development services

Key Accountabilities Set the budget priorities and oversee expenditure in relation to area of responsibility so as to achieve agreed objectives; Line manage, providing direction, performance management review and professional development support for relevant directly managed staff and provide mentoring and professional guidance for other relevant staff in the relevant areas of work including use of central systems and record keeping; Contribute towards building and sustaining effective partnerships through the Children s Trust Approach with and between partner agencies also providing services to children, including the private, voluntary and community sectors, in order to focus resources jointly on improving outcomes for children and young people, which must include safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Reporting to the Head of Early Years and Childcare, propose and lead decision making with regard to the key responsibilities of the post; Report regularly to DCSF and other relevant national partners, the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership and the Children s Trust and contribute to relevant monitoring for the Children and Young People s Plan, the LAA and other reports as appropriate; Undertake any other relevant duties in line with the grading for the post as may be reasonably required in the future. Workforce Development: Lead, develop and manage the early years and childcare workforce development strategy for the County Council and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership so as to ensure statutory targets are met including those relating to the common core, early years and childcare sector professional development and recruitment. Ensure provision of continual professional development (CPD) in the early years and childcare workforce including advice and guidance to early years and childcare practitioners with regard to their CPD, relevant training and development opportunities (such as the Graduate Leader Fund and Early Years and Childcare Qualification Fund), Ensure provision of support and advice for students undertaking the Early Years Practitioner Status (EYPS) programme, ensuring that Government Targets are met in relation to EYPS and Level 3, 4 and 5 Qualifications

Manage and develop Quality systems relating to Safer Recruitment, Induction, Performance Management and professional development across all settings in the PVI and maintained sectors. Working with strategic leads in SCF, ensure alignment of Workforce Development priorities and strategies and to develop cross-functional projects to meet the needs of the wider childrens workforce, especially with regard to Integrated Working, to ensure a comprehensive Induction and Continuous Professional Development Programme is available for all ECC Early Years and Childcare Staff, relevant to the Service Area and agenda, including in relation to the One Children s Workforce Framework, safeguarding, performance management, equality etc. Ensure, including through commissioning from SCF Strategy and Business, the delivery of a high quality workforce recruitment and retention strategy in relation to the early years and childcare workforce, Ensure an effective strategy for the development and sustainability of the early years and childcare workforce including in integrated settings, including support, workforce development and sustainability, linking strategically with regional and national strategies; Ensure a range of specific activities is sustained (such as the vacancy service, client relationships and childminder pathways to registration ) so as to address the employability of individual workers and the recruitment needs of early years/childcare providers; Ensure strategies to raise the profile of early years and childcare as a career within the wider context of children s workforce development. Training Strategy: Lead the County Council s and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership's training and development strategy for addressing quality in settings for children 0-16 years old, and ensure coherence with the quality improvement strategy for the workforce, including in relation to the early years foundation stage, and ensure relevant induction and professional development for EYCS and Partner staff in line with ECC SCF requirements Lead, develop and manage the co-ordination of the overall training and development strategy of the early years and childcare sector (including children s centres), ensuring coherence with children s service development within the county council, and the wider children s workforce agenda, managing strategies to ensure training and development coherence across the Early Years Foundation Stage, special needs, equality of opportunity, child protection, Integrated Working through CAF, Lead Professional and Information Sharing and business support as well as general quality practice to meet the relevant Ofsted standards;

Be the commissioning budget holder for the Early Years and Childcare training and development programme both directly and via external Service Contracts and work closely with the Strategy Manager, Quality Improvement (including Early Years Foundation Stage) and the Special Educational Needs and Children with Additional Needs Service (SENCAN) to ensure effective alignment of resources and coherence; Ensure regular monitoring and audit in all early years and childcare settings of training needs, informing strategic planning of training and development targets; Ensure the strategic development, implementation and support for an accredited Common Core training programme for all those on the Voluntary Childcare Register to comply with qualifications relating to National Standards in order to drive up quality where work is undertaken with children across the 0-14 age range; and for those not required to register e.g. Foster Carers, Crèches, Women s Refuges etc. Ensure the training, co-ordination and Policy Development of the EYCS Safeguarding Nominated Staff Group members; in order to comply with ESCB procedures to give support, advice and guidance across the Sector. Manage and develop quality assurance systems relating to Safer Recruitment, Induction, Performance Management and professional development across all settings in the relevant PVI and maintained sectors Training Capacity and Quality: Act as commissioner with regard to relevant partner agencies and training providers, ensuring the appropriate capacity to meet training requirements in line with national strategies, and delivery of high quality early years and childcare training and quality development services Manage the strategic relationship between the Children s Workforce Development Council, the Learning and Skills Council, other relevant external funding agencies and training providers and the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership to ensure shared objectives (such as the Graduate Leader Fund) are addressed through training and development programmes and other means as appropriate; Manage a quality assurance strategy to ensure coherent working with internal and external training agencies to monitor quality of tutor led programmes and ensuring CPD in line with sector requirements (as above) for such tutors and agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Substantial experiences as a qualified early years practitioner, early years teacher, play worker or childcare provider including management and project experience and qualified to at least a Level 4. Adult teaching qualification and/or relevant development work; planning and developing training programmes; with a sound understanding of the value of Adult Learning, Continuous Professional Development and robust Performance Management. Working in partnership or inter-agency working; with proven ability to contribute ideas and formulate future planning within Communities. Sound knowledge of Quality Improvement Principles, National Strategies developments and the Childrens Workforce 2020 strategy. Experience of planning and controlling significant budgets and resources Planning and implementing strategies at a senior level including programme and project management and management of staff. Experience of the wider work of Children s Services, the Childrens Trust arrangements and sound understanding of the Children and Young Peoples Plan and how this will improve outcomes for Children, Young People and their families. Experience of working with and reporting to Government Agencies and National Bodies. Values and Behaviours Customer Focused & Proactive Working together we proactively engage with our customers and listen to their needs in order to continuously improve our service Develops and delivers effective systems that enable the delivery of a quality customer service Uses customer insight to create an environment where customer service is valued, recognised and seen as a priority Proactively engage with our customers to deliver innovative and exceptional service. Make decisions that are mutually beneficial to the customer and the authority

Use customer feedback to understand what good looks like to improve service delivery & measure performance Identify key measurable targets to continuously improve customer satisfaction Enabling & Empowering Working together, we provide confidence and trust to support the delivery of the right services for our customers. Creates an environment that promotes self-development, openness and innovation Delegate effectively in order to achieve greater empowerment and accountability within set clear parameters Create a culture through personal behaviours that promotes inclusion Demonstrates an understanding of the political environment and makes decisions / takes action appropriately Communicates openly with others to improve levels of understanding and engagement Effective & Efficient Working together we will achieve our objectives in the best possible way, so that we deliver the results that make the biggest difference to the people we serve. Continually seeks new ways to introduce best practice in order to reduce duplication, bureaucracy and waste Develop and implement new ways of working to stretch performance, improve efficiency and deliver value for money Empowers others to innovate and challenge current practices Takes ownership for the implementation of corporate initiatives to help deliver change and continuous improvement Safeguarding Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Pre-Employment Checks appropriate to this Job Profile Essex County Council (ECC) is committed to ensuring all recruitment is undertaken fairly, effectively, safely and in accordance with legislation.

The information below provides pre-employment screening guidance for candidates applying to this job at Essex County Council. Role Requirement: Not working with children or vulnerable adults and with no access to sensitive information relating to children or vulnerable adults Pre-Employment Check References Definition A minimum of two employer references will be requiredone of which must be the last employer. Any gaps of 4 weeks or more will be explored by the manager at interview stage. Where appropriate additional character references will be taken up Medical Eligibility / Right to work in the UK Regulatory qualifications and professional registration (subject to role) Self Declaration (Spent and unspent convictions) All new recruits and employees whose role changes significantly are required to complete a medical health questionnaire Proof is required and original documentation will be sought i.e. passport or full birth certificate Original qualification certificates and proof of registration with a professional body are required (if applicable) A declaration of spent and unspent convictions must be completed by employees who work with vulnerable adults or children