Childcare Development Project Officer - Fixed Term 12 Months

About us

This role will support the local authority’s strategic ambition to ensure that all children and families have access to high-quality, inclusive, affordable, and sustainable childcare provision.

The role

We have an exciting opportunity for a motivated and innovative Childcare Development Project Officer to join our Early years team.

You will lead the development, coordination, and implementation of key childcare programmes and statutory responsibilities, helping to transform childcare services for children aged 4–11 years.

As Childcare Development Project Officer, you will:

• Will support the local authority’s strategic and operational responsibilities for school-age childcare.
• Ensure compliance with statutory duties under the Childcare Act 2006 and 2016.
• Drive the delivery of national childcare programmes including:
  • Wraparound Childcare Expansion Programme
  • Free Breakfast Clubs Programme
  • Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
  • Childcare Sufficiency Assessment and Market Management
  • Local Authority Capacity Support Funding
• Work collaboratively with schools, childcare providers, academy trusts, community organisations and local partners.
• Monitor childcare sufficiency, identify gaps in provision and develop solutions to increase capacity.
• Manage projects, budgets, grants and performance reporting requirements.
• Support the government's ambition that by 2026 all parents who need childcare can access provision from 8am–6pm during term time.

What's needed?

We are seeking a dynamic professional who:

• Has knowledge of childcare, education, family support or related public sector services.
• Understands partnership working and stakeholder engagement.
• Can analyse data and use evidence to inform service planning and decision-making.
• Has excellent communication, influencing and organisational skills.
• Is committed to improving outcomes for children, families and communities.
• Experience of working within local government, education, childcare, early help or children's services would be advantageous.

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, working for us means you get:

• 26 days annual holiday - raising to 31 after 5 years of service (pro-rata)
• Access to our attractive and competitive benefits package
• Access to our Health & Wellbeing Programme

Further Information

The ability to converse at ease with customers and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.

DBS clearance is required.

If you are applying for the job internally, please ensure that you apply via the Careers Page on SAP, however if you are applying for an additional job you would need to apply externally.

If you are a permanent WBC employee you will need to apply for this fixed term position as an internal secondment opportunity and will need to discuss this with your current line manager prior to applying.

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. Sponsorship is not available for this role; therefore, you must have the right to work in the UK to be eligible for appointment.

Warrington Borough Council is a Disability Confident employer

Attachments

• Job specification.pdf
• Person specification.pdf