At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate staffing plans and ensure nurseries have the right people at the right time.
- Company: Join Family Adventures Group, a leader in creating exceptional experiences for families.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, free lunches, and ongoing development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a supportive, people-first culture while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in workforce planning and strong organisational skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 19214 - 19214 £ per year.
Location: Family Adventures Group Head Office, 27 Beach Road, Weston-super-Mare
Reporting to: Chief Quality & Operations Officer (CQOO)
Salary: £19,214 per annum (£30,742 Full-Time Equivalent)
About Family Adventures Group
Family Adventures Group operates award-winning nurseries and family leisure venues across the South West, Midlands and Wales. We are passionate about creating exceptional experiences for children, families and colleagues, and are proud of our people-first culture.
Everything we do is guided by our values, known as ARCH:
- Accountable: We take ownership of our actions and deliver on our commitments.
- Reliable: We can be trusted by colleagues, children, families and partners.
- Caring: We put people at the heart of every decision we make.
- Honest: We act with integrity and communicate openly and respectfully.
Role Purpose
The Colleague Planner plays a critical role in ensuring our nurseries and support functions have the right people, in the right place, at the right time. Working closely with operational leaders, nursery managers and support teams, you will coordinate staffing plans, monitor colleague availability, support workforce deployment, and help maintain safe staffing levels across the group.
As staffing decisions and operational requirements often arise early in the day, this role provides proactive support from 7:30am, helping managers respond quickly to absences, staffing gaps and changing operational needs. This role requires exceptional organisation, attention to detail and communication skills, together with the ability to make informed decisions in a fast-paced operational environment.
Hours of Work
The role requires a 7:30am start each working day, reflecting the need to support operational staffing requirements across the business during the early morning period. The standard working pattern is 7:30am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday (25 hours per week). However, we recognise the value of flexible working and are open to discussing alternative weekly hours and working arrangements with the right candidate. The successful candidate must be available to start work at 7:30am, but there is flexibility around the total number of hours worked each week to suit individual circumstances and business needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Workforce Planning & Scheduling: Produce and maintain colleague deployment plans across the group. Monitor staffing levels, occupancy forecasts and operational requirements. Support nursery and operational managers in optimising colleague rotas. Identify staffing gaps and arrange appropriate cover where required. Ensure staffing plans align with regulatory requirements and operational needs. Monitor annual leave, training commitments and colleague availability.
- Resource Coordination: Maintain accurate records of colleague availability, contracted hours and working patterns. Coordinate short-term and planned movement of colleagues between settings where required. Liaise with agency providers and internal teams to source additional resource. Support the onboarding of new colleagues by ensuring workforce planning systems are updated.
- Reporting & Analysis: Produce regular reports on staffing levels, utilisation, absence trends and workforce requirements. Highlight staffing risks, shortages and emerging trends to operational leaders. Support workforce forecasting and planning activities across the group. Assist the CQOO with projects aimed at improving workforce efficiency and colleague deployment.
- Communication: Build strong relationships with nursery managers, operational leaders and support teams. Act as a key point of contact for staffing and deployment queries. Communicate staffing changes clearly, accurately and professionally. Provide advice and support to managers regarding workforce planning activities.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve scheduling processes and workforce efficiency. Support the implementation and development of workforce planning systems. Promote consistent workforce planning practices across the organisation.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Experience in workforce planning, resource planning, scheduling, rostering or operational administration.
- Strong organisational and time management skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Confident using Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to analyse data and identify trends.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work independently and prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable:
- Experience in childcare, education, hospitality, healthcare, retail or other multi-site operations.
- Experience using scheduling or workforce management software.
- Understanding of staffing ratios or regulatory workforce requirements.
- Experience producing management reports and workforce analytics.
Behaviours & Values
Successful colleagues will demonstrate the Family Adventures Group ARCH values every day.
- Accountable: Takes ownership and responsibility for delivering results. Follows through on commitments and actions.
- Reliable: Delivers accurate information and dependable support. Consistently meets deadlines and expectations.
- Caring: Supports colleagues with empathy and professionalism. Considers the impact of decisions on children, families and colleagues.
- Honest: Communicates openly, respectfully and constructively. Acts with integrity and professionalism at all times.
Benefits
As part of Family Adventures Group, you'll have access to a wide range of colleague benefits, including:
- Competitive salary.
- Flexible working opportunities.
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement.
- Pension scheme.
- Life insurance.
- Employee Assistance Programme, including access to GP and counselling support.
- Discounted childcare.
- Free lunches at work.
- Colleague recognition programmes.
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities.
- Access to company-wide wellbeing, reward and benefits programmes.
Safeguarding Statement
Family Adventures Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all colleagues to share this commitment. Appropriate employment checks, including references and DBS screening where applicable, will be completed before appointment.
Colleague Support Planner, Weston-Super-Mare, Office based employer: Family Adventures Group
Family Adventures Group is an excellent employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a supportive work culture where apprentices can thrive. Located in Weston-super-Mare, this role not only provides competitive pay and generous holiday allowances but also fosters a sense of community as you assist families on their childcare journey. With unique benefits like a birthday off and hands-on experience in marketing through HubSpot, this apprenticeship is a meaningful opportunity for those looking to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Colleague Support Planner, Weston-Super-Mare, Office based
✨Join HR Networks
Get involved in HR-specific communities, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and local HR meetups. This is a fantastic way to connect with industry professionals and learn about job openings before they even hit job boards!
✨Make Your Presence Known
Attend HR conferences and workshops in your area to network with potential employers. Don't be shy—introduce yourself, exchange business cards, and let them know you're keen on a full-time role in HR. Who knows, you might just land a friendly face at Family Adventures Group!
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Create content around HR topics you’re passionate about, like employee engagement or diversity initiatives. Share articles or insights on LinkedIn to demonstrate your knowledge and get noticed by recruiters. It’s a subtle yet effective way to show you’re the right fit for a full-time role at Family Adventures Group.
We think you need these skills to ace Colleague Support Planner, Weston-Super-Mare, Office based
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your HR Skills:When you’re crafting your CV, make sure you highlight specific HR skills that are relevant to the role at Family Adventures Group. Include any experience with recruitment processes, employee relations, or performance management, and don’t forget to mention your familiarity with HR software or tools that could give you an edge.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine, so tailor it to Family Adventures Group and the specific HR role. Highlight your passion for people management and how your unique approach can help foster a positive workplace culture. Be sure to sprinkle in examples from your past experiences that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and interpersonal skills.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any HR certifications or relevant training under your belt, be sure to showcase them! These qualifications can really set you apart from other candidates when applying for this full-time HR position at Family Adventures Group. List them prominently on your CV to catch the hiring manager's eye.
Align with Company Culture:Make sure your application speaks to Family Adventures Group's values and culture. Research the company and align your experiences or values with what they stand for. This will show them that you're not only a fit for the role but also for the overall vibe of the team and organisation.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Adventures Group
✨Brush Up on HR Best Practices
As you're diving into human resources, it’s crucial to be well-versed in the latest HR practices and legislation. Get familiar with key topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and diversity initiatives, as these could easily pop up in your interview with Family Adventures Group.
✨Know Your Recruitment Tools
Most HR roles involve using various recruitment tools and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Make sure you can comfortably discuss platforms like Workday or Greenhouse. If you've had direct experience, share those examples; if not, show your eagerness to learn!
✨Highlight Your People Skills
A full-time HR role at Family Adventures Group will require strong interpersonal skills. Prepare to share stories that demonstrate how you’ve successfully navigated conflicts or supported team members in past experiences. Authenticity goes a long way in this field.
✨Stay Current with HR Trends
Being up to speed with current HR trends, like remote working protocols or mental health initiatives, can set you apart. Be ready to discuss how these trends could impact Family Adventures Group and how you would contribute to adapting HR strategies.
