1. family and parenting
2. children

Candidate Pack
Family Engagement Worker– Baby Steps
Blackpool Centre for
Early Child Development
Blackpool Better Start
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The overall aim of Blackpool Better Start is simple – to give every new baby in Blackpool a better
start in life.
Dear Applicant
On behalf of the Better Start Executive I would like to thank you for your interest in the post of
Family Engagement Worker – Baby Steps at the Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development.
Blackpool has been chosen as one of only five locations in the UK to receive Big Lottery Funding of
£45million to help give the town’s babies a better start in life. This initiative will have a significant
impact on investment in services for babies, up to the age of three, and will enhance support for
parents and young families across Blackpool.
The Blackpool Better Start Partnership has set a bold ambition to give every baby in Blackpool the
best possible start in life. We are now seeking to recruit a staff team who are as excited by this
challenge as we are and have the experience, skills and passion to help us realise our ambition and
make a difference to the town’s youngest children – not just now but for future generations to
come.
Over the next 10 years Better Start funding will be invested in evidence based programmes that
have been researched, tested and are proven to make a difference to children’s wellbeing. The
funds will catalyse systems change to see a new way of agencies working together to make sure
babies born in Blackpool receive the early care and nurture they need for healthy development. The
newly created Centre will amplify the impact of our work in Blackpool nationally and internationally.
We believe this job offers a unique opportunity to work to improve outcomes for the most
vulnerable families and babies in Blackpool as part of the Centre for Early Child Development.
We think this is a fantastic opportunity and hope you feel the same.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Merle Davies Director of the Centre for Early Child Development
On behalf of the Better Start Executive
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ADVERTISEMENT
Have you the vision, passion, determination and resources to help us bring about generational
change in Blackpool through Better Start. If so please read on.
Blackpool Better Start is a partnership with the LA, Health, CCG, Police and the community led by the
NSPCC to transform services for 0-3’s and their families across the town. Funded for 10 years by Big
Lottery, we are one of only 5 Better Start Sites across the country.
Family Engagement Worker – Baby Steps
Salary: £19,000 - £21,500 - 35 Hours per week
We are seeking to recruit seven enthusiastic and dynamic people to join us as Family Engagement
Workers for the Baby Steps programme.
You will be based in one of our Children’s Centres working alongside a designated Health Visitor to
identify and support pregnant women and families with babies and children under 4, living in
Blackpool, to access the services they need including Children’s Centre services. You will jointly
organise and deliver Baby Steps sessions in our Children’s Centres.
The successful candidates will have an understanding of a baby’s physical, cognitive and emotional
development and have experience of facilitating groups. They must have experience of working with
vulnerable parents, including those typically known as ‘hard to reach’.
Above all the successful candidates will be passionate about improving outcomes for the most
vulnerable families and babies in Blackpool now and for future generations.
For more information about this exciting opportunity please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/careers or
contact Sarah Lambert (01253 476632) for an informal conversation.
Closing date: Midnight Thursday 28th May 2015
Start date 1st July 2015.
Interviews: Wednesday 17th June 2015
We will be recruiting to other roles – keep watching for news of other opportunities.
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JOB DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Blackpool has been chosen as one of only five locations in the UK to receive Big Lottery Funding of
£45million to help give the towns babies a better start in life. This initiative will have a significant
impact on investment in services for babies, up to the age of three, and will enhance support for
parents and young families across Blackpool.
The initiative is run by the Blackpool Better Start partnership, led by the NSPCC working with
Blackpool Council, NHS health organisations in Blackpool, and a number of local parents and
community organisations – including the newly created Community Voice group.
The funds will see a new way of key agencies working together to make sure babies born in
Blackpool receive the early care and nurture they need for healthy development. Specific attention
will be given to diet and nutrition, social and emotional development, and communication and
language – with an overall outcome being that children are happy, healthy and ready for school.
The money will mean more specialist services to support the most vulnerable families with babies
across seven key wards in Blackpool1, as well as delivering public health messages and improving
public spaces for the benefit of all families in Blackpool.
With 1,600 babies born in Blackpool each year the Better Start vision is for Blackpool to be a place in
which families raise happy, healthy children who take pride in belonging to the community.
Our blue print for change has four parts - a public health approach, evidence based interventions,
systems transformation and building and sharing learning.
Throughout our programme, we will focus on what we know about the particular challenges in
Blackpool, and what research tells us about the most important risk and protective factors for us to
address:


Tackling key risks: drugs and alcohol, mental ill-health, relationship conflict and domestic abuse,
and social isolation
Empowering parents and communities: promoting good parenting, healthy parent-child
relationships, self-efficacy and social cohesion.
The new Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development will be the nerve centre for the partnership.
It will oversee the delivery of services and share learning from the programme on a national and
international stage, placing Blackpool as a centre of expertise in early year’s provision.
The Family Engagement Worker Baby Steps will:
1
The seven key wards are Bloomfield, Brunswick, Claremont, Clifton, Park, Talbot and Victoria
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NSPCC JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Family Engagement Workers – (Baby Steps)
DIRECTORATE: Children’s Services – Development and Delivery
TEAM:
Blackpool Better Start
DATE:
MARCH 2015
BACKGROUND and CONTEXT:
Blackpool has been chosen as one of only five locations in the UK to receive Big Lottery
Funding of £45million to help give the towns babies a better start in life. This initiative will have a
significant impact on investment in services for babies, up to the age of three, and will enhance
support for parents and young families across Blackpool.
The initiative is run by the Blackpool Better Start partnership, led by the NSPCC working with
Blackpool Council, NHS health organisations in Blackpool, and a number of local parents and
community organisations – including the newly created Community Voice group.
The funds will see a new way of key agencies working together to make sure babies born in
Blackpool receive the early care and nurture they need for healthy development. Specific attention
will be given to diet and nutrition, social and emotional development, and communication and
language – with an overall outcome being that children are happy, healthy and ready for school.
The money will mean more specialist services to support the most vulnerable families with babies
across seven key wards in Blackpool1, as well as delivering public health messages and improving
public spaces for the benefit of all families in Blackpool.
With 1,600 babies born in Blackpool each year the Better Start vision is for Blackpool to be a place in
which families raise happy, healthy children who take pride in belonging to the community.
Our blue print for change has four parts - a public health approach, evidence based interventions,
systems transformation and building and sharing learning.
Throughout our programme, we will focus on what we know about the particular challenges in
Blackpool, and what research tells us about the most important risk and protective factors for us to
address:


Tackling key risks: drugs and alcohol, mental ill-health, relationship conflict and domestic
abuse, and social isolation
Empowering parents and communities: promoting good parenting, healthy parent-child
relationships, self-efficacy and social cohesion.
The new Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development will be the nerve centre for the partnership. It
will oversee the delivery of services and share learning from the programme on a national and
international stage, placing Blackpool as a centre of expertise in early year’s provision.
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JOB PURPOSE



To identify and support families with babies and children under 4 years of age, primarily
living in the seven Better Start Wards in Blackpool, to take up the services most appropriate
to their need and to encourage the active take up of services provided at Children’s Centres.
To jointly organise and facilitate Baby Steps sessions within the Children’s Centres across the
Better Start wards.
To create an environment where respectful, consistent, containing relationships and where
parents feel safe to explore their hopes and ideas and make healthy choices.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Internal
The post holder will report to a Team Manager in the Blackpool NSPCC service Centre and
will have close links with colleagues in Children’s Centres, namely the Centre Manager and
other family engagement staff
External
 The post holder will have contact with families in the Better Start Ward communities.
 The post holder will have contact with other agencies in the Better Start wards communities
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Deliver services




To make direct contact with families with babies and children to promote the take up of
Children’s Centre activities and to engage families in Children’s Centre services, where
appropriate arranging a home visit or meeting.
To develop personalised engagement plans with families to ensure where appropriate the
child’s nursery place is taken up and attendance continues.
To contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the programme and keep accurate,
robust, clear and detailed records and data for each child and family on the Children’s
Centre SoftSmart database.
To be a joint facilitator, alongside health colleagues for Baby Steps and support the delivery
of the sessions from the Children’s Centre
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2.
Working within NSPCC policy, procedures and standards


To maintain professional practice standards in line with the NSPCC Practice Standards and
Practice Guidance documents.
To ensure the Blackpool Council’s Getting it Right processes and paperwork are completed
when necessary and appropriate
3. Representing the Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development and promoting the work of the
team
Attend meetings and training events appropriate to the post and / or as a member of the
Blackpool Centre staff team.
4.
Work in partnership with staff from other organisations

5.
To work jointly and creatively with colleagues from other agencies to ensure the families
receive the most appropriate support needed. This will include partnership working with
colleagues from statutory organisations including the Health Trusts, Clinical Commissioning
Groups and Job Centre Plus, and with voluntary and community service providers.
Contribute to personal and team development



6.
To actively participate in team meetings, briefings and training events.
To take responsibility for developing one’s own professional knowledge and skills.
To develop an understanding of the locality including existing services / facilities and formal
and informal support systems for families in the Better Start wards.
Develop best practice and contribute to learning within the Blackpool Centre for Early
Child Development and externally with partner agencies


To ensure that Children’s Centre services reach as many families as possible within the
designated Baby Steps programme.
To record appropriate data on the Children’s Centre SoftSmart system Management
Information system in line with data protection legislation.
RESPONSIBILITES FOR ALL STAFF OF THE BLACKPOOL CENTRE FOR EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT

To adhere to the Blackpool Better Start partnership agreement.

To maintain an awareness of own and other’s health and safety and comply with local
Health and Safety procedures

To carry out the responsibilities of the post in a manner consistent with promoting equalities
and diversity and which demonstrates respect for children’s rights.

To comply with all relevant safeguarding policies

To maintain and develop competence in the use of IT Systems
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Note:
The core duties of the post are listed in the job description. However, a flexible approach to work is
essential to take account of changes to working practices as a result of the NSPCC and Better Start
strategic plans. Occasional working outside of normal office hours and at weekends may be
required.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Family Engagement Worker
1. Level 3 qualification in a related subject e.g. Early years and childcare along with GCSEs (or
equivalent) at grade C or above in English and Maths are required
2. Willingness to undertake additional training to enhance skills, knowledge and practice within this
post
3. Ability to engage with service users, involving them in planning, decision making and evaluation
whilst adhering to organisational policy and expectation.
4. Evidence of knowledge of up to date child development and protection best practice, research
and legislation.
5. Knowledge and understanding of the work and role of Children’s Centres
6. Experience of working with vulnerable parents, including those typically known as ‘hard to
reach’
7. Knowledge and understanding of infant’s physical, cognitive and emotional development
8. Experience of facilitating groups
9. Evidence of ability to work in an equal opportunity and anti-oppressive framework.
10. Effective written and verbal communication skills and to be able to communicate effectively and
sensitively with children and families who have a range of needs and abilities.
11. Experience of working with children under five and their families and ability to plan appropriate
programmes of work and evaluate their effectiveness.
12. ability to use a computer and information technology for communicating and recording
information
13. Ability to work on own initiative (as required) and as part of a team, often in a multi disciplinary
setting.
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Appendix 1 – Our Pledge for the Children and Families of Blackpool
The Blackpool Better Start Partnership developed with the Community, their Vision Principles,
Priorities and Values over a series engagement activities to outline what the Blackpool Better Start
feel should govern all activities, these have been transferred to pledges within this Project Plan. All
of the boards (Executive, Operational and Community) signed up to these governing principles.
Vision
Our vision is that Blackpool will be a place in which families raise happy, healthy children who grow
up to take pride in belonging to the community. Through Better Start, every new baby in Blackpool
will enjoy the early care and nurture they need for healthy development and to be ready for school
Blackpool Better Start Service Key Principles
Children, young people and their families will be at the heart of everything we do;
1. There will be “no wrong door” – equitable service will be accessed no matter which agency is
first contacted
2. Service will be delivered in and through the universal services rather than through separate
specialist services
3. We will “hold the baton” – the service will work with the family rather than just refer them on.
4. Relationships will be at the centre of our work – relationships before tasks
5. “Services for people, not people for services” – services will be flexible enough to meet need
wherever and whenever children and families need them.
6. Services will be experienced as “seamless” by children and parents.
7. There will be a single point of contact - children and families will not be required to struggle
through the maze of services, but will have a named individual contact.
8. There will be clear, simple lines of accountability.
Priorities

Tackling poor parental health and unhealthy gestation and birth

Enabling our youngest children to enter school ready and able to learn and reach their full
potential

Safeguarding and protecting the most vulnerable children and families

Tackling poor mental health and well-being

Delivering quality services through a committed, professional and motivated workforce.
Values

We are accountable for delivering on the promises we make and take responsibility for our
actions and the outcomes achieved.
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
We will have the courage to communicate openly and honestly, challenging the status quo and
using our independence and experience to lead change for children in all our activities

We take pride in delivering quality services that are community focussed and based on listening
carefully to what the families need.

We will respect all children and seek to foster respect for them in others.

We are trustworthy in all our dealings with children and families and will be honest and
transparent about the decisions we make and the services we offer.

We are compassionate, caring, hard working and committed to deliver the best services that
we can with a positive and collaborative attitude.
This document was been agreed by all members of the Partnership.
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BETTER START GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE
Health & Well
Being Board
Better Start
Executive
Board
Children’s
Partnership
Strategic
Commissioning
Comms
Strategy
Group
NSPCC
Policy
Test
Expert
Advisory
Group
Centre for
Early Child
Development
Workforce
Reform
Maternity
Matters
Really
Big
Lottery
Finance
Group
Community
Voice
Short Term
Working
Groups, i.e.
Data/ICT
Operational
Partnership
Board
Early Years
Development
Public Health
Monitoring &
Evaluations
Research,
Development
Health Child
Programme
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Appendix 2 - The Challenges for Blackpool and our blueprint for change
Blackpool is the sixth most deprived local authority in England, with a low-skill, low-pay economy
based on a seasonal tourist trade. Thirty per cent of babies born in Blackpool experience poverty;
and we have the highest levels of looked after children in the country.
There are high rates of teenage pregnancy and incidence of unhealthy gestation and birth. Large
numbers of babies are exposed to parental problems of mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse and
domestic abuse. 30% of mothers continue to smoke, while only 56% of mothers try breastfeeding
and only half of those continue after 6-8 weeks. Not surprisingly, child development outcomes are
poor and many children start school ill-equipped to learn.
We want to achieve a generational shift, ensuring that today’s babies enjoy the early care and
nurture they need for healthy development and to be ready for school. And that in turn, as they
grow up and become parents themselves, they will pass on the Better Start legacy to the next
generation.
The benefit will be felt by all children of 3 and under in Blackpool: Lottery funding has enabled us to
focus on seven priority wards, whilst leveraged funding will spread the benefit across the whole
town.
1. A public health approach
At the universal level we aim to address factors that most influence children’s outcomes, and to
build a sense of collective responsibility for their wellbeing.
We will measure success against key developmental outcomes: healthy gestation and birth; and
readiness for school. Social and emotional development; healthy and nutrition; and language and
communication skills are ‘golden threads’ that run throughout our programme.
Our public health activity will have two prongs:


Rolling out universally resources and programmes of proven effectiveness, including those that
promote physical health, diet and nutrition, social and emotional development, and language
and communications skills
Creating a series of parent education campaigns focussed on risk factors evident in Blackpool.
The first will be on the impacts of parental alcohol misuse.
2. Evidence based interventions
We will deploy evidence-based and science-based interventions to bring about change for those
children and parents with additional or specialist needs.
The centre-piece of our portfolio will be the expansion of the Family Nurse Partnership, a proven
nurse-led home visiting programme, to all parents under 20.
Among other interventions will be Parents Under Pressure, a 20-week intensive programme for
parents in receipt of drug or alcohol treatment; and Baby Steps, supporting people in the transition
to parenthood, nurturing healthy relationships and promoting child development.
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We will also research and develop new interventions designed to address critical gaps in current
support, such as our work on domestic abuse in pregnancy and infancy.
3. System transformation
We are going to bring about the changes needed throughout local service provision, underpinned by
a shared understanding of the problem and a cohesive approach that unites community and
professionals from all agencies.
Our partnership brings together all players – voluntary, community, private and public - who can
make a difference. We have a strong track record of partnership working, but now we need to
develop shared core values, common understanding and a shared language, build local capabilities
and share what we learn. So we will deliver an integrated cross-workforce training and development
programme.
We will actively engage families and communities, giving them a formal voice and power. We will
recruit and train volunteers to act as community champions, and build on the success of the Family
Nurse Partnership with a new mentoring service provided by those who have been through the
programme themselves.
We will make our services more accessible, in places like GP clinics and at convenient times of day.
We will target known weaknesses in service take-up, including engagement with dads and take-up of
free nursery places for 2 year olds.
The partnership on the ground will be underpinned by a ring-fenced fund comprising the Big Lottery
grant and a further £30 million of funds leveraged from local partners, and managed through an
integrated commissioning framework.
We will also ensure that other policies (such as transport, environment, housing and welfare) are
carefully aligned with the goals of A Better Start.
4. Building and sharing learning
We will establish the Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development, to help build local capacity and
expertise. The centre will play a crucial role in driving Better Start strategy and overseeing delivery
and learning from the programme. Our ambition is that the centre should become an internationally
recognised and renowned source of expertise and innovation in services and systems from
pregnancy to three
A dedicated and expert local team will enjoy a close relationship with the NSPCC’s national
programme on pregnancy and babyhood. As part of a wider community of learning that includes
other successful Better Start areas across the country, the Early Intervention Foundation, Dartington
Social Research Unit and WAVE Trust, it will become an internationally-renowned centre of
expertise.
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Appendix 4 – Blackpool Centre for Early Child Development
Functions of the Centre
 Leadership and strategic direction for the Blackpool Better Start programme as a whole
 Planning and implementation of the public health campaigns and new evidence based
interventions, working in partnership with other providers
 Managing the part
 Communications and marketing, including the Child Development ‘reframing’ approach
 Managing community development contracts and projects
 Research and development of new services
 Support and challenge to the Executive around systems transformation
 Support and challenge to the Workforce
 Local evaluation of process, impacts and costs to inform service improvement and
commissioning
 Central IT systems and data capture for the programme
 Support and challenge to the Bank of Blackpool and commissioning board on quality of evidence
 Capturing and sharing learning
How it will work
We are establishing a dedicated and expert local team:





The Director of the Centre will provide overall leadership of Better Start in Blackpool and be
accountable to the Better Start Executive.. He/she will be a key ambassador for the programme
across the partnership and externally. The Director of the Centre will be a high profile role and
we expect this to be filled by a recognised expert in the sector.
Development Managers will each be responsible for leading implementation of several evidence
based programmes, liaising as appropriate with other partners and providers. They will also
have a role in managing research and innovation projects and in workforce development and
training.
Evaluation Officers will be responsible for local evaluation at individual and population levels.
A Community Development Officer will manage the community engagement contracts and
projects, support the Frameworks project and be the key link between the Centre and the
Community Voice.
A Senior Communications Officer will manage all marketing and communications activities,
including materials for new services and management of the Frameworks project.
There will also be a dedicated and experienced Business Manager to oversee day-to-day operations
of the programme. There will also be Administrative posts, a Data Analyst and a part time Finance
Officer to ensure smooth running of the programme and business operations, to organise events
and to meet reporting requirements expected by partners, funders and the accountable body.
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BLACKPOOL CENTRE FOR EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENT
NSPCC / Better Start Executive Board
Director of the Blackpool Centre of Early Child
Development
Development Managers
Senior Evaluation
Officer
Community
Development Officer
Commissioning
Business Manager
Local Authority
Team Manager Family
Engagement Baby Steps
Evaluation Officer
Senior Comms
Officer
Senior Centre
Administrator
Family Engagement
Workers – Baby Steps
Finance Officer
Data Analyst
NSPCC
BF&W Hospital
Centre Administrators
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Appendix 5 – Terms and Conditions of Employment
This information has been prepared to give you an overview of the terms and conditions of
employment that are relevant to this particular post. Every care has been taken to ensure that the
details are correct, but they are not to be regarded as part of any contract of employment.
Contract – The post is permanent. Secondments to the NSPCC will be considered.
Salary - Salary: £19,000 - £21,500 per annum at Grade 3 in the NSPCC pay bands.
Salaries are paid by the BACS system, directly into a bank or building society account of your choice,
usually on the 26th of each month. In the event that you commence employment with the
Charity after the 10th day of the month your first payment will be made in the following calendar
month. Casual car user will be paid
The NSPCC’s pay system is designed to attract and retain talented and committed employees who
help us realise our objective of ending cruelty to children in the UK. Salaries in the pay system
reflect market rates of pay for similar jobs in each of our relevant job markets and are reviewed
annually to ensure we continue to reward our staff appropriately. An employee who demonstrates
all the required skills, knowledge and competencies to perform their role in full, will be rewarded in
line with their performance.
Location - The post will be based in Blackpool and could be at one of the Children’s Centres.
Working Hours–The post is full-time, 35 hours per week worked from Monday to Friday
working pattern to be agreed on appointment. Due to the nature of this role a flexible approach
to working hours is essential for the proper performance of your work. You will not be entitled to
extra remuneration for any additional hours worked in excess of 35 hours. The Society operates
a time of in lieu (TOIL) policy..
Annual leave - The post holder will be entitled to 29 days annual leave per annum. The annual
leave year runs from 1 April to 31 March. After five years’ continuous service, the entitlement
increases to 32 days per annum. Service with all employers except the NSPCC is not regarded
as continuous service.
References - All appointments are subject to the receipt of at least two satisfactory written
references, covering the last five years of your employment.
Safeguarding Checks – Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring
Service (DBS) check and the satisfactory completion of the NSPCC’s internal safeguarding
checks of its child protection records.
Medical clearance - Appointment to this post will require a health assessment.
Fairness, equality and diversity - The NSPCC is committed to fairness, equality and diversity
in the workplace. By being diverse, we have a wide range of talents and experience, helping us
to meet different people's needs and to end cruelty to all children.
Further information - For more information about the range of benefits offered please refer to our
careers pages on www.nspcc.org.uk/careers. For any queries relating to the above terms and
conditions, or further information on applying for this position online then please email
recruitmentenquiry@nspcc.org.uk
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