Children's Centre Worker

We are looking for a Children’s Centre Worker to assist in the planning, delivery and evaluation of community and centre-based activities that support young children's learning, development and health, ensuring high-quality provision.

You will also contribute to the delivery of services aligned with the Start for Life programme, supporting families from pregnancy through the early years, with a particular focus on the first 1,001 days.

Please note: This is a frontline role and does not offer hybrid working. The role is essential to meeting Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements, maintaining appropriate staffing ratios, safeguarding children, and delivering community-based services that support children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

You will work directly from our Children’s Centres and operate flexibly across the borough to meet the needs of families and the service.

You will:

• Support the development and delivery of universal and targeted services for children and families.
• Plan and deliver activities supporting the Start for Life period, including antenatal and postnatal support, infant feeding, early attachment and parental mental health.
• Deliver targeted group work and interventions for families with children up to 8 years old, supporting development and health in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage.
• Support community outreach events and activities.
• Create a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for children, parents and carers.
• Provide attentive and responsive care to children in the crèche, including feeding, toileting and comfort.
• Support parents and carers with parenting skills, behaviour management and their understanding of child development.
• Assess family needs, identify appropriate services and work with internal teams and external agencies to provide support and signposting.
• Maintain strong safeguarding and child protection practice and report concerns appropriately.
• Ensure activities are appropriately set up, risk assessed and delivered safely.
• Record relevant information accurately on EHM and in line with GDPR and information-sharing requirements.
• Prepare healthy snacks and drinks and assist with maintaining the cleanliness of the centre.
• Contribute to service planning, evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively with Children’s Centre professionals, health services and voluntary sector partners.
• Complete other reasonable duties and operate flexibly across the borough as required.

About You

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting young children and families and can create positive, trusting relationships with families from a wide range of backgrounds.

You will have:

• An understanding of young children’s learning, development, health and wellbeing.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• The ability to work sensitively with children, parents and carers from different social and cultural backgrounds.
• Good communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• The ability to assess family needs and identify appropriate support and services.
• The ability to work effectively with colleagues, partner agencies and the wider community.
• A commitment to inclusive, family-focused services and improving outcomes for children.
• The ability to work flexibly across the borough and as part of a frontline service.

Why Join Us?

You will have the opportunity to play a direct role in supporting children and families during the crucial early years, helping to create positive foundations for children’s learning, development and wellbeing.

You will be part of a team committed to delivering high-quality, accessible services that make a genuine difference to families across Hillingdon.

Please note that due to the frontline nature of this role, hybrid working is not available.

For further information, please refer to the full Job Description and Person Specification.

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership – The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees’ freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

• Enhanced DBS Check
• Qualifications Check
• 5 years of Referencing