SHSCT Early Years Assistant Band 2

Job details

• Branch: Armagh & Dungannon area (SHSCT)
• Location: ARKE Surestart
• Directorate: Children & Young People's Services
• Salary: Band 2 (£24,465)
• Contract Type: Permanent
• Opening Date: 08/10/26
• Closes: Thu, 22 October 2026 @ 4:00 PM
• Interview Dates: To be confirmed.

Notes

Online and Manual applications accepted. If you are submitting a manual application, please post it to: Recruitment Shared Services, Rosewood Villa, Longstone Hospital Site, 73 Loughgall Road, Armagh, BT61 7PR. Applications received after the advertised closing date/time cannot be considered, so please allow enough time for postage. A waiting list may be created for similar posts that may arise while the waiting list is live, this may include temporary or part-time posts. This will be managed in line with the updated HSC waiting list principles effective from 1 April 2026. Where a part-time waiting list is required, one part-time waiting list will be created- regardless of any specific hours advertised, this waiting list will cover all future vacancies where part-time posts arise. A part-time post is defined as any post that has less than 37.5 hours per week. Please remember to save or print a copy of the job description before submitting your application, as it will not be accessible afterwards. Flexible Working We welcome flexible working requests from day one. All HSC organisations offer a range of flexible working options. The options available for this post will depend on the requirements of the role. Find out more about flexible working options on our website.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE

Early Years Assistant

BAND

2

DIRECTORATE

CYPD

INITIAL LOCATION

ArKe Sure Start

REPORTS TO

Early Years Leader

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Project Manager

JOB SUMMARY

The post holder is to assist in the day-to-day delivery of the Sure Start Developmental Programme for Two Year Olds (SSDP) ensuring that there is a safe, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families. To be part of the multi-disciplinary team that delivers play services including creche in line with the agreed targets that are set by the Project Manager.

KEY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

To work with SSDP children and families based on a Key Worker system that meets the needs of the children.

To assist with the overall safety and wellbeing of the children and families within the SSDP and for implementing the quality standards in line with Sure Start regional guidance.

Through regular observation assist in the planning and preparation of activities suitable for each individual child’s age and stage of development.

To assist in promoting a smooth transition for children and families from home to SSDP and to the preschool setting by regularly engaging with families.

To attend regular staff and planning meetings.

To take part in and assist in the organisation of special events, outings, visits and any other activities as required.

To develop supportive relationships with parents / carers and encourage active parental involvement within Sure Start

To comply with Sure Start policies and procedures and be aware of and work in accordance with relevant legislation and guidance at all times e.g. Sure Start Southern Area Child Protection Guidelines

To ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times

To assist in the maintenance of records pertaining to work e.g. contacts, register etc. in line with project requirements.

Work in partnership with ArKe multi-disciplinary team to deliver on the project targets and objectives.

To attend meetings, seminars and training as appropriate

Carry out day to day office base administration when required.

Maintain strong relationships with team members to ensure reflective working.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder will be required to

Ensure the Trust’s policy on equality of opportunity is promoted through his/her own actions and those of any staff for whom he/she has responsibility.

Co-operate fully with the implementation of the Trust's Health and Safety arrangements, reporting any accidents/incidents/equipment defects to his/her manager, and maintaining a clean, uncluttered and safe environment for patients/clients, members of the public and staff.

Adhere at all times to all Trust policies/codes of conduct, including for example

Smoke Free policy

IT Security Policy and Code of Conduct

standards of attendance, appearance and behaviour

Contribute to ensuring the highest standards of environmental cleanliness within your designated area of work.

Co-operate fully with regard to Trust policies and procedures relating to infection prevention and control.

All employees of the Trust are legally responsible for all records held, created or used as part of their business within the Trust including patients/clients, corporate and administrative records whether paper-based or electronic and also including emails. All such records are public records and are accessible to the general public, with limited exceptions, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 the Environmental Information Regulations 2004, the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Employees are required to be conversant with the [org name] policy and procedures on records management and to seek advice if in doubt.

Take responsibility for his/her own ongoing learning and development, in order to maximise his/her potential and continue to meet the demands of the post.

Represent the Trust’s commitment to providing the highest possible standard of service to patients/clients and members of the public, by treating all those with whom he/she comes into contact in the course of work, in a pleasant, courteous and respectful manner.

This Job Description will be subject to review in the light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

It is a standard condition that all Trust staff may be required to serve at any location within the Trust's area, as needs of the service demand.

16th February 2021

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATION

JOB TITLE AND BAND Early Years Assistant Band 2

DEPARTMENT / DIRECTORATE Children and Young Peoples Services

SALARY : <to be inserted by HR>

HOURS: 30 Hours per week term time

Ref No: <to be inserted by HR> <Month & Year>

Notes to applicants

You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria.

Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form. Please note the Trust reserves the right to use any desirable criteria outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form how you meet the desirable criteria.

Proof of qualifications and/or professional registration will be required if an offer of employment is made – if you are unable to provide this, the offer may be withdrawn.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

SECTION 1: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will initially be measured at shortlisting stage although may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form whether or not you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is stated below.

Factor

Criteria

Method of Assessment

Experience/Qualifications

Minimum of 1 years’ experience of working with children under the age of 4 in an early years setting in the last 3 years.

OR

NVQ Level 2 Early Years Care and Education

Shortlisting by Application Form

Other

Hold a current full driving licence which is valid for use in the UK and have access to a car on appointment. This criteria will be waived in the case of applicants whose disability prohibits driving but who have access to a form of transport approved by the Trust which will permit them to carry out the duties of the post.

SECTION 2: The following are ESSENTIAL criteria which will be measured during the interview/ selection stage:

Skills / Abilities

Effective interpersonal and communication skills to meet the needs of the post in full.

Demonstrate an ability to lift / move equipment safely.

Interview / Test

Knowledge

An understanding of the importance of play and parental engagement in a child’s development.

An understanding of child protection procedures within a child care setting.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

SECTION 3: these will ONLY be used where it is necessary to introduce additional job related criteria to ensure files are manageable. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted

Experience

Experience of working with children with additional needs

Demonstrable experience of planning and prioritising work.

Ability to use Microsoft Office packages.

As part of the Recruitment & Selection process it may be necessary for the Trust to carry out an Enhanced Disclosure Check through Access NI before any appointment to this post can be confirmed.

Successful applicants may be required to attend for a Health Assessment

THE TRUST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER

All staff are expected to display the HSC Values at all times