At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young children and families in their early development stages.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a leading charity focused on community and inclusion.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive pay, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while building strong community connections.
- Qualifications: Experience in early years education and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Do you have a passion for working with young children? Are you interested in supporting children and their parents in the earliest stages of development? Are you confident in building relationships with families and finding creative ways to support children's learning while increasing parental confidence? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to join our Early Years Team within Sandwell Best Start Family Hubs.
As a Community Based Early Years Worker, you will play a key role in supporting and developing community-led Stay & Play provision across Sandwell. You will work directly with community groups, volunteers and families to enhance the quality of early years experiences, with a strong focus on communication and language, school readiness and the home learning environment. This is a varied and rewarding role that involves both community and Family Hub-based delivery. You will help strengthen existing groups, support new provision to grow and ensure families are connected to the wider Family Hub offer.
You will:
- Work alongside community providers and volunteers to develop and improve Stay & Play sessions
- Support welcoming, inclusive environments that promote early learning and development
- Encourage and embed positive Home Learning Environment messages with families
- Build strong relationships with parents, carers and partners across the Family Hub Network
- Capture feedback and outcomes to demonstrate the impact of the service
- Work collaboratively with multi-agency partners including Best Start Family Hubs, Family Help, SCVO and the Local Authority Early Years Team
This role is based in Sandwell and requires flexibility to work across the borough. As part of the role, you will be required to work evenings and weekends where needed to meet service demand. We are looking for an experienced Early Years Practitioner who is passionate, motivated and confident working within community settings. Experience of partnership working and delivering high-quality early years provision will be essential.
To find out more about the role, please read the Additional Information and ensure your application demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the post.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.
Community Early Years Worker employer: Workcircle
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and family-friendly policies, Barnardo's empowers its staff to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Sandwell, the role of Community Early Years Worker offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while collaborating with passionate colleagues committed to enhancing early childhood experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Early Years Worker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Workcircle.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Workcircle!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Workcircle, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Workcircle or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Early Years Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Workcircle:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Workcircle! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Workcircle
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
