Job info |
Job info details |
Job title |
Early Years Finance and Business Officer |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Early Years Advisory Team |
Service |
Children's Services |
Business unit |
Schools |
Responsible to (day to day issues) |
Head of Service (Early Years) |
Accountable to (line manager) |
Head of Service (Early Years) |
Salary grade |
28 - 31 |
JE ref |
EI05 |
1. Key purpose of job
- To manage the Early Years block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (approx. £5 million). Identify the priorities of Torbay Council and allocating funding to appropriate projects and work programmes that meet these priorities. Giving strategic vision and leadership to all aspects of budget, asset and financial management within the designated financial standards.
- To lead and strategically manage Torbay Council’s statutory duty to ensure there is sufficient childcare for all who require it. Including keeping Members informed on the Council’s performance against this duty and developing a strategy to address any shortfalls identified (to implement the statutory duty of the Local Authority under the Childcare Act 2006 which outlines the requirements for measuring and reporting on the level of childcare available and demand for childcare in a Local Authority Area and the requirement to provide sufficient childcare for all families who require it).
- To manage the commissioning strategy of the Early Years and Childcare Service. Developing business cases for any commissioning opportunities and managing any contracts that are commissioned by the Early Years and Childcare Service. To support and challenge through performance management any contractors selected by Torbay Council to provide services.
- To implement and manage a business model by which Early Years can provide services to childcare settings and other partners at commercial rates and develop this business model related to the Early Years block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.
- To lead and manage on the consultation and communication with childcare providers and partners on changes in Local/Central Government policies and their impact on them.
- To lead on developing the Local Authorities strategy to meet short term government initiatives in relation to early years and children’s centre services.
- To manage the Early Years Census return and E-start database.
2. Anticipated outcomes of post
- The effective use and management of Early Years block of the Dedicated Schools Grant.
- There is an adequate supply of childcare across Torbay to meet the requirements of all of those families with children aged 0-18 who would like to use this.
- That all children eligible for a free entitlement to childcare are able to access this in a reasonable manner that suits their needs.
- The Local Authority meets all of it’s statutory requirements with regard the free entitlement, this includes ensuring that children receive what they are entitled to and that childcare providers are paid the appropriate amount for delivering this service.
- Members are aware of the situation with regard to the availability of childcare in Torbay and the action being undertaken to support this.
- Schools and other providers (and potential providers) of childcare are supported in identifying and meeting the needs of families in respect of childcare and are fully aware of their responsibilities in respect of this.
- Resources are appropriately allocated to support the development of new childcare places in Torbay where this is necessary.
- Suitable opportunities for services to be delivered by external organisations are identified, full options appraisals completed and decisions on the suitability of this approach decided on the basis of this.
- By supporting and challenging the providers of services commissioned by the Early Years and Childcare Service, suppliers of services will be effectively monitored to ensure their delivery plans and evidenced based outcomes deliver the best outcomes for children in Torbay.
- Annual delivery plans for commissioned services are monitored and reviewed by the appropriate stakeholders in line with contractual commitments and best practice.
- The Early Years and Childcare Service is able to ‘trade’ its’ services with childcare providers and other interested stakeholders.
- Income is generated from this traded service to support the Early Years and Childcare Service and the delivery of services to families with young children.
- Childcare providers and other interested stakeholders are able to have input into how services are tailored to meet their needs and how the Local Authority implements national/local Government objectives and policies relating to the Dedicated Schools Grant.
- The Authority will implement all national policy and statutory requirements required of the service, in a manner which reflects the needs of the local communities.
3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post
- Responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children at all times
- To prepare an annual budget for the Early Years block of the Dedicated Schools Grant and other funding received to support Early Years services.
- To identify local and national priorities and make decisions and/or proposals on what projects/services should be supported through the funding available to Early Years.
- To co-ordinate the creation of the Annual Sufficiency Report and the corresponding report that is reported to members.
- To provide business cases and secure funding to support local Early Years priorities where required.
- To develop a plan responding to issues identified in the Annual Sufficiency Report and co-ordinate the agreed actions with colleagues in Early Years and partner organisations.
- To develop systems to ensure all funding used by the Early Years and Childcare Service is effectively used including monitoring third parties when funding is provided to them to deliver services.
- Co-ordinate and support Development Workers in developing childcare settings to provide services families need by developing robust business plans and basic business support.
- To identify opportunities where external providers may be able to provide services on behalf of the Early Years and Childcare Service and develop options appraisals assessing the suitability of this and other approaches to best provide the service.
- To develop and manage contract management mechanisms for any services contracted out by the Early Years and Childcare Service.
- Through a support and challenge role, ensure the effective monitoring of any services contracted to external organisations by the Early Years and Childcare Service. Including ensuring that annual delivery plans are monitored and reviewed in line with contractual commitments.
- Developing and implementing systems, which meets Torbay’s Financial and Legal restrictions, which enables childcare providers to be funded appropriately for the free entitlement to childcare they provide.
- Ensuring that all children eligible for a free entitlement to childcare are able to take up this place in a manner that suits them and their needs if this is what they want.
- Ensuring all childcare providers are able to claim funding available to them, particularly with regard to the provision of the free entitlements, in as effective a manner as possible.
- Developing and managing a service that allows the Early Years and Childcare Service to trade and market any services it is able to and generate an income for the Local Authority by doing this.
- Creating a long-term development plan for the ‘traded service’ aspect of the Early Years and Childcare Service to generate a sustainable income stream for the Local Authority.
- Consult with childcare providers and other key stakeholders to support the development of services that meet the needs of all of the relevant parties.
- Communicate findings from consultations back to all parties involved in discussions.
- To write applications for funding as agreed with the Head of Service.
- To design and implement monitoring systems for any successful funding applications.
- To maintain and develop the IT systems of E-Start to ensure compliance.
- To manage the Early Years Census return on an annual basis.
4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post
- To manage the Early Years Block of the Designated Schools Budget and support the manager of the Early Years and Childcare Service with the management of any other funding provided for the provision of Early Years services in Torbay. This includes monitoring, auditing and verifying all funding provided to childcare settings for the free entitlements provided by the Authority.
- Providing support and assistance to enable the effective management of budgets across the Service.
- To provide childcare providers with timely payments for the services they provide for the Authority.
- To create a system that allows childcare providers to receive funding for providing the free entitlements for childcare and also meets the requirements of local and central Government.
- To ensure that all childcare providers are adhering to the conditions the Authority sets out with regard to the funding they are receiving.
5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post
6. Working environment and conditions of the post
- Regular visits to childcare providers in Torbay.
7. Physical demands of the post
8. Specific resources used by the post
9. Key contacts and relationships
- External:
- External providers delivering services on behalf of the Authority – to liaise with providers with regard to contract management duties, procurement processes (and be a named contact in these).
- Childcare providers (40 Private, Voluntary or Independent, 80 childminders, 16 schools).
- Informing them of changes in policies and procedure locally.
- Informing them of alterations in Government policy with regard to the funding for free childcare and other Government led programmes.
- Internal:
- Procurement Team – to liaise and work with them when looking at developing different ways of delivering services.
- Legal – to ensure leases, contracts and other legal issues are considered when considering future service provision and implemented effectively where this is required.
- Policy and Performance Team – to ensure the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment is written.
- HR – to ensure correct procedures and advice is given when considering future service provision.
10. Other duties
- To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job.
Other Information
- All staff must commit to Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discriminatory Practice.
- The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement.
- The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
- The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
- This post is based at [insert a location] but the post holder may be required to move their base to any other location within the Council at a future date.
- As this post meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check (Disclosure) from the Criminal Records Bureau before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of ALL cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions, whether “spent” or “unspent”. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post.
- Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
Person Specification
Note for Candidate
All Candidates
The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement.
In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.
Candidates who consider that they have a disability
Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.
If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.
Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.
If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.
Job info |
Job info details |
Job Title |
Early Years Finance and Business Officer |
Strategic team/Directorate |
Early Years Advisory Team |
Service |
Children's Services |
Business unit |
Schools |
Skills and effectiveness
Essential skills and effectiveness
- Ability to maintain and update accurate reports, financial records and statistics.
- Ability to develop sustainable business plans for new and existing childcare providers.
- Ability to prepare and present financial reports.
- Ability to work effectively on own initiative, prioritise workload, and manage time to meet deadlines.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to make decisions and take responsibility for them.
- Ability to offer appropriate support to childcare providers based on sound knowledge.
- Ability vary level of communication relevant to consumers, professionals and other team members.
Desirable skills and effectiveness
- Ability to challenge existing processes and practices.
Knowledge
Essential knowledge
- Knowledge of key issues to be taken into consideration when developing sustainable childcare provision.
- Sound knowledge of business planning, financial management and cash flow forecasting.
- Knowledge of Torbay and issues relating to services in the area.
- Knowledge and understanding of wider current policy issues relating to children’s services (including Government policy).
Desirable knowledge
- Knowledge and experience of writing successful bids.
- Knowledge of effective systems related to evidence based practice.
- Knowledge of Procurement Law and working practices.
- Knowledge of childcare/play provision.
- Knowledge of funding arrangements and referral process for gaining additional support for families.
Experience and achievements
Essential experience and achievements
- 3 Years office work experience.
- 2 Years experience of budget management and financial planning.
- Experience of writing and presenting management or other reports.
- Experience of using I.T. to maintain and develop systems (Including finance documents e.g. Excel).
- Experience of tracking information over long time periods.
- Experience of successfully matching funding to appropriate groups and/or single provider.
- Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
Desirable experience and achievements
- Experience of implementing auditing procedures.
- Experience of multi-agency working.
- Experience of running small businesses.
Qualifications/professional memberships
Essential qualifications/professional memberships
- Business Studies Level 3 or equivalent.
- Evidence of professional development in relevant areas.
- Qualified to degree level.
Desirable qualifications/professional memberships
- Professional finance qualification (e.g., AAT Technician).
Other requirements
Other requirements of the job role
- Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
- Ability to carry out the physical requirements of the role (i.e., manual handling).
- Ability to travel efficiently around the South West in order to carry out duties.
- Ability to accommodate unsociable hours.
- Ability to accommodate occasional home-working.