Surestart Manager

SureStart Manager.

Salary:c40000 per annum.

Location:The role is based primarily in Ballymena at our St Jospehs site; the role covers 3 sites across Ballymena and Antrim.

Contract/Hours:Permanent 37 hours per week.

Benefits:

• A generous annual leave entitlement of 29 days PLUS bank holidays.

• Up to 5 more days leave for continuous service plus the option to buy and sell leave.

• Excellent training and development opportunities.

• Flexible maternity adoption and paternity packages.

• A pension with a up to a 7% employer contribution rate. Plus if you pay in to the pension you will receive life assurance cover.

• Staff discount portal with your favourite brands.

• Blue Light Card eligibility with 15000 discounts from national retailers.

Vulnerable children in the UK need your help

Wherever you work in the Action for Children family youll be helping to change the lives of the most vulnerable children in the UK.

Last year we helped more than 670000 children and families across the UK. From direct work in communities to national campaigning we are focused on making sure every child has a safe and happy childhood and the foundations they need to thrive.

Why Action for Children

Working here is more than a job. Everyone in the Action for Children family is passionate about protecting and supporting children. Its the sense of purpose that drives us every single day. Because we know that when we work together we can make a huge difference to bring lasting improvements to vulnerable childrens lives.

A bit about the role

An exciting leadership opportunity awaits!

Ballymena and Little Steps Sure Start is seeking a motivated and passionate individual to take on the role of SureStart Manager leading a dedicated team of 40 staff in delivering vital services to infants children and their families.

As Manager you will be the driving force behind a service that operates across three sites in the Ballymena and Antrim area covering 11 ward areas. The project is comprised of multi-disciplinary teams and works in close partnership with a range of statutory voluntary and community groups across the Ballymena and Antrim area.

Our Sure Start programme provides a wide range of services designed to give children the best start in lifefrom pre-birth through to age four. By bringing together health family support and early education we help nurture childrens learning health well-being and social development through both home-based and group settings.

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on childrens futures while leading an enthusiastic team committed to strengthening families and communities.

How youll help to create brighter futures

Some key responsibilities of the SureStart Manager role are.

• Leads the operational management of resources to oversee a multidisciplinary interagency team delivering integrated services for families infants and children from 0-4 age.

• Lead by example with the provision of day-to-day management for all relevant staff.

• Review develop and implement plans across the service that are the responsibility of the post including production of three yearly plans annual business plans/spending plans and quarterly reporting.

• Oversee and manage a substantial budget.

• Work in partnership with the Management Committee

• Manage relationships and participation of partner organisations.

• Ensure the provision of a co-ordinated comprehensive needs assessment so that the Sure Start Programme can appropriately support all local families.

• Overall responsibility for leading and concluding outcomes of an evaluation of the services work.

• Ensure that robust data collection and monitoring systems are in place.

Lets talk about you

• Degree or equivalent level qualification in the fields of social work child health education related to early years family support work and registration with relevant professional body.

• Experience and track record in developing/managing services for young children in either the statutory or voluntary sector.

• Ability to manage varied workload demands and to set deadlines.

• Ability to demonstrate excellent communication skills both written and oral.

• Analytical skills including the ability interpret.

• Experience of working successfully within a multi-agency setting.

• Experience of managing staff.

• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and guidance relating to children early years services and safeguarding.

Contact:If for any reason you need support with your application please contactquoting reference 12242.

Closing date:Wednesday 3^rd December 2025.

Please note:Interviews are planned to be held on Thursday 11^th December in Belfast.

Good to know

Application Process

Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

There are five sections to complete: Personal Details CV Supporting Statement & Information Equality & Diversity Submission & Declaration.

Talent Pool

We know talent when we see it. But sometimes we find the right person but not for the right job. Wed love to keep your details for when the right job comes up. Let us know if youd rather we didnt.

To be eligible for this position you must complete an Access Ni Enhanced Disclosure

Having a criminal record will not necessarily be a bar to obtaining a position.

A copy of the Access Ni Code of Practice can be foundhere.

Policies on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders & Access Ni Disclosure Handing Policy are also available on demand.

Diversity equality and inclusion

At Action for Children were dedicated to building a diverse inclusive and authentic workplace. Weactivelyencourageapplications from Black Asian & Minority Ethnic and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.

Male staff areunder-represented within our Children Service roles. We would like to encourage more male applicants for our Children Service roles.

Dont meet every single requirement

If youre excited about this role but your experience doesnt align perfectly with the job description wed love you to apply anyway. You might just be the perfect person for this role or another role within the Action for Children family.

Want to know more about Action for Children

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Job Description

See below for further information about working with us:

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children Northern Ireland Booklet