Oxfordshire Parent Carers Forum (OxPCF) is an independent group and is led by parent carers. We aim to enable the voices of parent carers of children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) across Oxfordshire to be heard in service planning and development. The forum is committed to making parent carer participation an integral part of service and information development and provision in Oxfordshire, with the aim of creating better outcomes for children and young people with SEND and their families.
We are members of NNPCF (National Network of Parent Carer Forms) which is supported by the organisation Contact.
OxPCF is funded through a Department of Education grant to support the Parent Carer Forum. OxPCF is run by parent carer volunteers, to ensure that parent/carers of children and young people with disabilities and additional needs can participate and co-produce services and provision within Oxfordshire.
OxPCF is supported by OxFSN (Oxfordshire Family Support Network), which is a local charity providing information, advice and support to local families with learning disabilities. You will be a self employed contractor with OxFSN and they will provide HR Support.
Hours are 10 hours per week (with the possibility of further hours for additional projects) and can be worked flexibly. The work mainly occurs during term time but could include school holidays too if necessary. Some work may need to be undertaken during evenings and weekends
Rate: £15 per hour
Location: Oxfordshire, largely home-based with both online and in person meetings as required
Purpose
The purpose of the role is:
To be the initial point of contact and co-ordinator for OxPCF
Providing support, information and coordination of activities
Facilitating information sharing between the steering group, the forum, parent carers, organisations and statutory partners
Main Tasks:
To be the main point of contact for the PCF
To maintain an up to date work plan for OxPCF, under the direction of the OxPCF Chair and Steering group
To maintain accurate member records using a database and use to send communications or analyse membership as required. To update the database with new records or to amend/ delete records when requested.
Coordinate and support monthly steering group meetings, including minute taking, chasing actions and ensuring all relevant tasks are carried out before meetings.
To contribute and support the development of policies and procedures for the steering group with steering group members.
To provide input to the existing website for the parent carer forum and share responsibility for maintaining it and keeping it up to date.
To coordinate and send a regular newsletter to families on the mailing list, informing them of participation opportunities and other local items of interest relating to disability and special educational needs.
To book and coordinate training and other events as required by the forum.
Maintain accurate records including attendance at events, social media activity, membership using google sheets and Mailchimp
To help manage communications via Social Media networks (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter)
To carry out any other duties that are within the scope, spirit and purpose of OxPCF
Additional possible tasks
To attend events, groups and meetings to promote the work of OxPCF and parent participation, raising OxPCF’s profile and awareness of opportunities available, and recruiting new members
To work with others in the OxPCF, to organise and deliver OxPCF events
To liaise with the committee to produce surveys and gather information and intelligence on parent carers’ views and experiences.
To help to bring together parent carer views and feedback from a number of sources (eg surveys, polls, social media, reps, members) and draft reports.
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
Experience of building, maintaining and developing relationships with a variety of different groups of parents, professionals and other stakeholders
Ability to maintain accurate records.
Ability to work to deadlines.
An understanding of the issues faced by families with SEND
Skills, Abilities and Personal Qualities
Essential
Strong interpersonal skills – diplomacy, tact, influencing and assertiveness.
Ability to exercise discretion and ensure confidentiality.
Patient and collaborative approach to problem solving.
Ability to work on own initiative, consulting as required.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
Expertise in planning and prioritising workloads to deliver planned objectives/outcomes and work on own initiative, consulting as required, and as part of a small team
Flexible and understanding approach to the capacity of parent carers
IT Skills: Confidence in the use of the Google Drive system including google docs, spreadsheets etc
Desirable:
Experience of providing excellent levels of customer care.
Use of other apps such as CANVA to design posters/flyers etc
Confidence with Social Media, able to post and share relevant information and respond to messages etc
Practical matters:
You would be a self employed contractor for OxFSN
The hourly rate would be £15 per hour (you would be responsible for tax etc)
If you are interested in applying for this role, please email info@oxpcf.org.uk, and tell us about any qualifications and your previous experience (either paid or voluntary) that are relevant to this position.
Deadline extended to Sunday 20th March
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