At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of enriching holiday activities and nutritious food for children.
- Company: Gateshead Council, dedicated to improving lives and tackling inequality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, flexible working, and health support.
- Other info: Join a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while promoting healthy living.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading HAF programmes and strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
Gateshead Council is seeking a committed Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Lead Officer to drive the design, commissioning and delivery of a high‑quality programme that makes a real difference to children, young people and families. This pivotal role leads the local implementation of the Department for Education's HAF programme, ensuring eligible children can access enriching activities and nutritious food during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. Working closely with partners, providers and communities, the post plays a vital role in tackling inequality, supporting financial wellbeing and helping deliver Gateshead's ambition to give every child the best start in life and promote a healthy standard of living for all.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design, commissioning and delivery of Gateshead's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, ensuring full compliance with Department for Education standards and delivering high‑quality outcomes for children and families.
- Develop and implement a data‑led local HAF delivery plan that targets areas of greatest need while ensuring fair and inclusive access across Gateshead.
- Build and lead a strong partnership and steering group, working effectively with internal services and external providers to deliver a coordinated, innovative and high‑quality programme.
- Commission, contract‑manage and quality‑assure HAF providers, driving continuous improvement and addressing performance issues where required.
- Manage the overall HAF programme plan, including governance, risk management, quality assurance, performance monitoring and financial control, with full accountability for the HAF budget.
- Lead communications and marketing activity to maximise awareness, accessibility and take‑up of the programme, particularly among children eligible for free school meals.
- Ensure all provision meets safeguarding, health and safety, financial and information governance requirements, maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance.
- Monitor, evaluate and report programme progress and impact to the Department for Education, senior leaders and elected members, while contributing to wider service development and line‑managing the Programme Support Officer.
Qualifications
- A relevant degree or professional qualification, or significant experience in a lead HAF or equivalent role.
- Full UK driving licence or access to mobility support with the ability to travel across Gateshead as required.
- Strong knowledge of the Department for Education's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, including relevant legislation such as School Food Standards, Natasha's Law, GDPR and information governance.
- Excellent understanding of safeguarding protocols and thresholds, with the ability to ensure safe, inclusive provision for children and young people.
- Proven experience of commissioning and/or delivering high‑quality programmes or activities for children and young people, including programmes that engage diverse communities.
- Strong project and/or programme management experience, including planning, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and effective budget management across the full project lifecycle.
- Ability to develop and implement clear action plans, identify and manage risks, and drive continuous improvement in complex programmes.
- Highly effective communication skills, with the ability to produce clear reports, analyse data and communicate confidently with stakeholders at all levels, including partners and elected members.
- Well‑developed IT skills (including Microsoft Office and digital systems), with the ability to prioritise competing demands to meet deadlines.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary: fair and transparent pay that reflects your skills and experience.
- Outstanding Pension Scheme: we invest in your future; find out more about the local government pension scheme.
- Generous Annual Leave: 28 days of annual leave, rising to 32 days after 5 years (with the possibility to buy up to 10 extra days).
- Flexible Working Hours: up to 26 flexi days per year (subject to business needs).
- Hybrid & Flexible Working: support for a healthy work‑life balance with flexible and hybrid options.
- Learning & Development: wide range of training, development and progression opportunities.
- Health & Wellbeing Support: discounted gym memberships and mental health resources.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: tax‑efficient cycle to work programme.
- Electric & Hybrid Car Scheme: salary‑sacrifice car scheme partnership with NHS Fleet Solutions after 12 months service.
- Exclusive Discounts & Salary Sacrifice: employee benefits platform for discounts and salary‑sacrifice options.
Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) Lead Officer in Gateshead employer: Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families in the community. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer competitive salaries, generous annual leave, and flexible working arrangements that promote a healthy work-life balance. Our culture fosters professional growth through extensive training and development opportunities, ensuring that our staff are well-equipped to deliver high-quality programmes that tackle inequality and support financial wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) Lead Officer in Gateshead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to the HAF programme. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential partners and stakeholders – it’s all about making those connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for the role! When you get the chance to chat with interviewers or at networking events, share your enthusiasm for improving children's lives through the HAF programme. Let them see how committed you are to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Brush up on the Department for Education's standards and recent developments in the HAF programme. Being well-informed will help you stand out and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Good luck!
We think you need these skills to ace Holidays, Activities and Food (HAF) Lead Officer in Gateshead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the HAF programme. We want to see how you can make a real difference for children and families in Gateshead!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your project management and communication skills. We’re looking for someone who can lead effectively and engage with various stakeholders, so let that shine through in your application.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and experiences, making it easy for us to see why you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gateshead Council
✨Know Your HAF Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the Department for Education's Holiday Activities and Food programme. Familiarise yourself with relevant legislation like School Food Standards and Natasha's Law, as well as the specific needs of Gateshead's communities. This knowledge will show your commitment and readiness to lead.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in project management, especially in delivering high-quality programmes for children and young people. Be ready to discuss how you've developed action plans, managed risks, and ensured continuous improvement in past roles.
✨Build Partnerships in Your Answers
Since this role involves working closely with partners and providers, think of instances where you’ve successfully built and led partnerships. Share specific examples of how you’ve collaborated with various stakeholders to achieve common goals, particularly in community settings.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex topics like budget management or safeguarding protocols. Being able to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels is crucial, so consider rehearsing answers to potential questions with a friend or mentor.
