Childcare Connector, Glasgow

• Provide clear, accurate, and timely information about childcare options: Including early learning and childcare, after-school care, and holiday provision, with practical advice on how different types of care can meet the needs of each family.
• Provide guidance on childcare funding: Helping parents to understand and access financial support, such as Universal Credit childcare entitlements, local authority funding, subsidies, further and higher education financial support, and employer childcare schemes.
• Support parents to reduce childcare costs and simplify arrangements: Exploring all possible options to make childcare more affordable and flexible for parents, particularly those working or training outside traditional hours.
• Provide personalised, hands-on support: Working with each parent to help them plan and secure childcare that fits their unique circumstances, with ongoing advice and encouragement throughout the process.
• Provide crisis support for parents: Offering emergency advice and support to parents at risk of losing their job, training, or education due to childcare breakdowns, helping them identify immediate solutions that minimise disruption and maintain stability.
• Maintain accurate records and reporting: Ensure all information is recorded confidentially, complete required paperwork in line with OPFS Family Support processes, and accurately log meetings and support provided. Use appropriate databases as required by OPFS and funders, and contribute to quarterly reports, case studies, and monitoring to evidence outcomes and progress against targets.
• Undertake additional duties as required: Carry out any other relevant responsibilities as requested by the OPFS Glasgow/East Renfrewshire Service Manager, in line with the needs of the service.

Essential

• Experience of working with families and children.
• A good understanding of the childcare landscape in Glasgow, including 1140 hours and the flexible ways a parent can use these hours, wrap around provision, childcare options for children under 3 and after school and holiday provision.
• An understanding of how flexible childcare options for single parents contribute to the Scottish Government Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan and No One Left Behind approach to transforming employability support in Scotland.
• An understanding and awareness of the issues and barriers faced by single parents.
• Experience of developing partnerships and multi-agency working.
• Previous experience of relevant professional qualification, equivalent to HNC/HND, SVQ 3 or 4.

Desirable skills

• A sound knowledge or experience of working in local statutory and third sector services, particularly regarding children and families, employability, training and further education.
• Driving licence and access to a car.

Practical Skills

• Ability to plan, record and evaluate through recording and written reports.
• Strong organisational skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and as an individual.
• Competent use of standard IT packages in word processing, spreadsheets, use of databases, and Microsoft Office 365.
• Knowledge of issues affecting single parents in Scotland.
• Commitment to professional development.

Personal Qualities & Attributes

• Flexible to meet the needs of the service.
• To be approachable, friendly and a good communicator.
• The ability to prioritise workload.
• To accept and respond to the varying needs of families in a non-judgemental way.
• To ensure OPFS values are upheld.

• Confirmation of Appointment: Fixed-term contract until 30th June 2027, with continuation of the post dependent on funding. Confirmation of appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a 3-month probationary period, two references and a PVG check.
• Salary: Grade Point 13 – 17, £25,864 – £31,612 (pro rata).
• Hours of work: 16 hours per week, worked flexibly to meet the needs of the service.
• Holidays: Annual leave entitlement is 25 days and 12 Public holidays (pro rata).
• Pension: You will be auto enrolled in our pension scheme with a 3% contribution from you and 7% contribution from OPFS.
• Training and support and supervision: You will receive induction training and frequent support in the first three months. Thereafter you will receive monthly individual support and supervision and annual appraisals. Regular team meetings will be held, and staff have access to internal and external training.