First Steps Coordinator
Salary: £20,500 pro rata per annum
Location: Based in Yorkshire at either Beverley or Morley (to be agreed with successful candidate).
British Blind Sport is delighted to announce the creation of a new role to roll out their successful ‘First Steps’ project in the Yorkshire region. Funded by Children in Need, the project will identify 50 children and their families who will benefit from the scheme, all of whom will receive a First Steps activity pack and support from the First Steps Co-ordinator.
The successful candidate will be an exceptional communicator who is passionate about making a difference to the lives of others. After a successful pilot project in Scotland, we are confident that the First Steps programme assists visually impaired children to take their first steps into fun physical activity to promote a healthy sporting habit for life.
Duties/Aims
· Develop and manage a project to help address the inequalities of sporting provision for visually impaired youngsters in Yorkshire.
· Identify visually impaired children and their families to be the beneficiaries of First Steps within the Yorkshire area.
· Develop a relationship and rapport with children and their families to provide support and motivation over the 12 month period.
· Collate packs to ensure that all aspects of the First Steps programme are being met.
· Ongoing monitoring and project evaluation in order to provide evidence of success to British Blind Sport, Children in Need and local collaborative partners.
Person specification
Essential attributes
· Proven experience of working with children and families.
· Exceptional communication skills.
· Passion to make a difference to the lives of children with a visual impairment.
· Able to manage own time and prioritise workload.
· Willing to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
· Willingness to travel across Yorkshire when required to meet the needs of the project participants and their families.
· Experience in implementing project management techniques to meet set outcomes.
· Ability to work under pressure and to a deadline.
· Administration and IT skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
· A commitment to equality of opportunity and the empowerment of visually impaired people.
Desirable attributes
· Experience of working with visually impaired children and families
· Understanding of sport development.
· Knowledge of evaluation and monitoring methods.
· Experience of initiating projects through to final evaluation.
· An understanding or willingness to learn about the Child Protection Act.
· Empathy towards disability issues, particularly related to the visually impaired community.
· Ability to work flexibly to meet project participant needs.
Why we want you
We are proud of the success of the pilot project that took place in Scotland and are delighted to be able to roll out this fantastic initiative, starting in the Yorkshire region. The First Steps programme is innovative, fun and accessible, with visually impaired children at its heart. We are passionate about the difference that this project can make to young children living with sight loss. We are looking for a person who will share our desire to make positive change for local children and their families.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. In line with this commitment, we require the successful candidate to undertake an enhanced DBS check.
How to apply
To apply for the role, please complete the job application form and return to British Blind Sport by 12pm on Friday 26 January at: info@britishblindsport.org.uk
British Blind Sport, Pure Offices, Plato Close, Tachbrook Park, Leamington Spa, CV34 6WE
Interviews will take place at a location in or around Leeds on Thursday 1 February.
If you have any questions regarding the role or application process, please contact Logan Gray, National Partnerships Manager for an informal discussion on 07792 710570 or logan@britishblindsport.org.uk.
