Parent Carer Forum Lead in Telford

Accountability: CEO/Trustees of PODs, Parents Opening Doors. Contracted hours: 30-35 hours per week (worked flexibly over a 2-month period). Holidays: 20 days plus Bank Holidays per year, this will be pro rata. Length of contract: Initial 3 months’ probation leading to a 2-year fixed term, with a view to extending where funding allows.

PODS is an award-winning charity based in Telford and Wrekin who supports families with children aged 0-25 with an additional need or disability. Alongside a carer friendly accreditation, we support and employ a diverse small team of employees, we are a compassionate employer who strives to support and develop our workforce. Our parent carer forum is at the heart of our Charity and runs through everything we do. We value the experience and expertise of parent carers, and this role aims to amplify and strengthen their voice, enabling them to influence and design the services they use, improving the health and wellbeing of those living with SEND.

This role is also open to both internal and external applicants and is funded through the National Lottery and Department for Education. We are seeking an enthusiastic and compassionate individual who can work alongside existing staff to lead our well-established Parent Carer Forum made up of dedicated and inspiring volunteer parent representatives who sit within our steering group.

Your role will be to promote and deliver high standards of parent carer participation and coproduction, alongside developing good practice by empowering parent carers to become more involved and breaking down barriers to participation. You will be required to establish and maintain good working relationships and links across a range of services throughout the NHS, Local Authority and Social Care, thus extending the involvement of parent carers in decision making and service planning. There will be an element of signposting of partner services and organisations; knowledge and experience of children and adult services is essential. As the role is to lead the parent carer forum, it is essential that the applicant has lived experience of children with SEND.

You will be required to facilitate and plan at least one steering group meeting per month with the volunteer parent representatives. You will deliver training to new and potential parent representatives around the work of the forum and how to carry out their duties as well as provide ongoing support and 1-1 to existing volunteers where appropriate. Applicants will be asked to complete an enhanced DBS check as well as provide 2 references. The successful applicant will be completing duties in line with their job title as well as offering support to other staff and the voluntary team.

Please note that this is a hybrid role and will involve working from an office base, with some flexibility for home working and as business needs demand differing locations within Telford & Wrekin (reasonable travel expenses will be paid). It will involve an element of lone working. Eligibility to Work: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

• To work in partnership with key strategic partners across health/education/social care/government departments and local authority to ensure that parent carer voices are represented appropriately and services are developed to meet the needs of local families.
• Gather feedback from families at wider PODS charity events, groups etc.
• To work with wider parent carer groups, voluntary and private sector organisations to co-ordinate coproduction and participation activity.
• Work with regional and national partners of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums, including attending regional meetings and those with the DFE/NHSE.
• To manage and facilitate events, training sessions, workshops, conferences and networking events.
• To continue the development of an inclusive, diverse and representative parent carer forum and communication network with other parent carer groups.
• Support existing and new parent representatives to act as reps on relevant strategic and operational groups/meetings and providing feedback mechanisms to ensure full parent carer participation and involvement.
• To attend annual NNPCF conference and relevant training such as system leadership.
• To deliver and design training to support parent carers to develop the skills and confidence to become effective parent representatives.
• To facilitate regular meetings for the steering group of parent representatives.
• To help research, prepare and collate information for promotional materials and other publications including the printed newsletter.
• To compile reports using lived experience, qualitative and quantitative data and information.
• Carry out an annual survey of parent carers and formulate findings into an easily accessible report and sharing to strategic teams.
• Support families who have newly diagnosed SEND children or at times of crisis with both emotional and practical support.
• Signpost families to relevant services and make referrals where required.
• To act as Safeguarding lead for the Charity.
• Attend PODS Charity team meetings as and when required.
• Assist for a full day at annual picnic in the park and open day.
• Provide social media support to members.
• Keep confidential records in line with data protection.
• To take on any additional duties appropriate to the position.
• To demonstrate and promote a commitment to professional development.

• Previous experience in a participation role (minimum 2 years).
• A full and thorough understanding of the role of a recognised parent carer forum.
• Track record of collaboration with stakeholders such as Local Authority, NHS etc.
• Able to demonstrate an ability to engage with parent carers and hard to reach communities.
• Experience in overseeing and coordinating volunteers.
• Computer literate and able to use a range of programmes effectively.
• Ability to compile and complete written reports.
• Experience of public speaking/delivery of training.
• To be aware of budget and time constraints and plan accordingly.
• Experience in caring for children/young people who have a disability/additional need.
• Be able to handle multiple sources of information, undertake complex discussions and liaison work.
• Be approachable, calm and operate within expectations of conduct with regard to equality and diversity.
• Have an enhanced DBS Check.
• To be able to work independently as well as part of a team.
• To support, when necessary, other members of staff and volunteers.
• Good communication skills in a variety of settings with a range of people.
• To have an understanding and an empathy of parent carers.
• The ability to keep confidential records in line with data protection.
• Experience of databases.
• First Aid trained.
• Formal qualifications that will aid your role, ie those in education, health & social care.

For more information or an informal chat, please contact Elaine via phone 07540 049759 or email elaine@podstelford.org. To apply please send your CV and a cover letter outlining why you have applied for the role and how your experience and skill set aligns with the job specification to elaine@podstelford.org. Alternatively, please ring Elaine on 07540 049759 for alternatives. Interviews will be conducted on 1st & 2nd June. Your application and any subsequent interview information will be kept on file for a maximum of 6 months following the closing date. If you wish for them to not be retained, please inform Elaine via email elaine@podstelford.org.