Childcare Connector – Family Support Worker, Edinburgh

Childcare Connector – Family Support Worker, Edinburgh

Last updated: 13/01/2025

Key info

Post: Childcare Connector – Family Support Worker (fixed term until 31st March 2028 with continuation of post dependent on funding)

Hours: 21 hours per week

Closing Date: Sunday 9th February 2025 at 11:59pm

All roles at OPFS contribute to our mission of working with and for single parent families, providing support that enables them to achieve their potential and help create lasting solutions to the poverty and barriers facing many single parents and their children. Our core values of Justice, Equity, Trust, Collaboration, and Compassion are at the heart of everything we do and underpin all aspects of our work.

Overview:

The Childcare Connector will contribute to the organisation’s vision of a Scotland in which single parents and their children are valued and treated equally and fairly, by supporting the delivery of various components which contribute to the Edinburgh service, including proactively supporting single parents to find, secure and access flexible childcare that meets their needs, allowing single parents to progress within their current employment, enter employment, or enrol in education or training.

The role will include direct work with single parents to understand their needs, their current childcare limitations, and their current barriers to work, education, or training. Liaising with childcare providers within Edinburgh, helping single parents access flexible childcare options and understand flexible payment options at local and national levels is a key element of this role. This role will include networking and events to promote the Childcare Connector service and will include outreach work with single parents, stakeholders, and partners in and around Edinburgh.

Equal Opportunities and Family Friendly Employment

OPFS aims to be an equal opportunity and family-friendly employer. OPFS has Investors In People Gold status.

This is a broad picture of the post at the time of preparation. It is not an exhaustive list of all possible duties, and it is recognised that jobs change and evolve over time.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Support Single Parents: support single parents to understand the different forms of early years childcare, education, and wrap-around care that they can access and inform and empower single parents on the best form or combination of childcare for their needs and how it can be funded. Liaise with different providers of childcare in communities across Edinburgh to support effective transitions for parents going into employment, education, or training. Promote the services available through OPFS by developing trusting relationships with single parents through the provision of 1:1 support and providing information, advice, and guidance.
• Family Support Work: Identify community resources and local services and assist single parents to engage with other agencies. Facilitate the delivery of groups and events. Support single parents to develop their confidence, practical skills, self-esteem, and to feel empowered and informed. Work with parents to identify wider support needs and refer to other support services where appropriate.
• Record Keeping and Reporting: Maintain confidential information, complete all appropriate client paperwork as per our Family Support process. Record and document meetings and support provided to single parents. Use appropriate databases as required by OPFS and the post funder, complete quarterly reports, case studies and maintain a high level of data recording to record, monitor and evaluate targets as set by the funder.
• Any other relevant duties as requested by the Regional Co-ordinator.

Personal specifications

Terms and conditions

Further information

Completed Word applications should be sent to jobs@opfs.org.uk by Sunday 9th February 2025 at 11:59pm.

Interviews will be held w/c 17th February 2025 with a view to the successful candidate being in post from the 1st April 2025.

Please contact info@opfs.org.uk or 0131 556 3899 if you need to make an application in an alternative format on the basis of a disability or long-term health condition please email jobs@opfs.org.uk for guidance.