Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
The Share Foundation

Programme Co-Ordinator – Stepping Forward

Introduction

The Share Foundation (TSF) administers the Junior ISA (JISA) and Child Trust Fund (CTF) schemes for children and young people in care (known as ‘Looked After’) on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). We believe strongly that all young people in care have great potential, not only to enjoy adult life to the full, but also to achieve their hopes and dreams; and we are determined to help them do just that through the provision of financial education and resources and by encouraging a positive attitude for the future.

TSF is committed to helping improve the opportunities of these disadvantaged young people by encouraging governments, individuals and corporations to contribute funding for them in the form of long-term investments, which the young people can access when they reach maturity. TSF work very closely with over 200 Local Authorities and Health Care Trusts nationwide to ensure the efficient management and administration of the savings accounts for Looked After Children.

The charity seeks “to reduce the generational cycle of deprivation affecting the poorest children and young people by encouraging highly targeted wealth distribution”. Since early 2020, we have been supporting all young people nationwide (not just those in care), aged 16 and over, to start the process of locating their ‘lost’ CTF account, working with HMRC, the Tracing Group and CTF account providers to achieve this. In addition, we are striving to ensure all young people have the opportunity of financial education to equip them with necessary life skills which will help them through adulthood.

TSF currently offers a hybrid approach to working, with staff able to split their time between home and office-based working as their role requires and operational requirements permit. The working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Summary of the Role

A new life skills programme called Stepping Forward has been introduced by TSF, which will run alongside the already successful Stepladder Plus incentivised financial education programme. Stepping Forward is a national online performing arts video course, designed to introduce performing arts for care experienced young people aged 13 to 17 years. There are six steps within the programme, which brings together industry experts to inspire young people.

The Stepping Forward programme aims to bridge the gap for some of the most disadvantaged young people in the UK by offering creative outlets that may foster confidence, resilience and career opportunities. The course will not only support personal development but may also connect young people to a wider network of performing arts resources and organisations at the local level.

TSF are working in partnership with Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, the Rothschild Foundation and Particle6, through development to delivery. The programme will be launched in early 2025.

This post is subject to a basic DBS check.

More specifically this role will entail:

To direct, organise and oversee the day-to-day implementation, development and co-ordination of the new Stepping Forward Programme.
To initiate processes for the successful management of the programme.
To manage the database of the Tring Park School alumni and other performing arts organisations and contacts that are interested in supporting this programme.
To develop relationships with the key stakeholders of the programme, including:
- local authority contacts, Virtual School Heads, etc,
- service providers (for example, Particle6, Zebedee, Tring Park school, other performing arts organisations),
- the young people participating in the programme,
To promote the programme and its benefits to the key parties, including local authorities and young people in care.
To encourage local authorities to promote the programme to Looked After Children and to help find mentors, performing arts organisations and sources of incentivisation funding in their local areas.
To work closely with the system’s provider to ensure efficiency and ease of completion of the steps and the successful monitoring of their completion.
To work closely with the Operations Team on successful delivery of the programme.
To provide support to programme participants through various means of appropriate communication, including telephone, email and virtual meetings.
To monitor and evaluate programme outcomes.
To report on the programme to Trustees and other key stakeholders.
To work closely with the Fundraising Team and help provide data on outcomes and any other information as required by funders of the programme and media contacts.
To create other relevant literature or media to support the programme.
To be able to travel occasionally throughout the UK.
To support the Programme Manager with the delivery of the Stepladder Plus programme for young people in care aged 15-17, in absences and as required.

The above is not exhaustive and the role may require additional duties to support the work of The Share Foundation.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

A good working knowledge of the range of performing arts opportunities and the skills and aptitude required around them.
Excellent IT skills, with a very good understanding of the MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook and working with databases.
A good understanding of data protection, GDPR and safeguarding policies.
The ability to communicate with all levels of people, both verbally and in written form, including young people in care.
To have the self-confidence and motivation of working on your own initiative as well as part of a wider team.
Experience of co-ordinating and monitoring programmes, liaising between various parties and evaluating outcomes.
Experience in report writing and presenting to groups.
A good understanding of delivering programmes designed to build confidence and a forward-looking approach to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Some experience of the work of local authorities and/or virtual head teachers in the field of encouraging participation in the performing arts.

Personal qualities

Good communication skills, both written and spoken.
Self motivated and able to take the initiative.
Diplomatic and discreet.
Organised and logical.
Thorough, with attention to detail.
Committed to the aims of The Share Foundation.

Salary

The salary is £30,000 – £32,000 per annum based on experience for 35 hours per working week and is subject to annual review.

Benefits

The holiday entitlement is 20 days plus 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, in addition to those Public and Bank Holidays as determined by statute or other government order.

After 3 years of service, your holiday entitlement will increase to 22 days plus 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, in addition to those Public and Bank Holidays as determined by statute or other government order; and after six years of service, your holiday entitlement will increase to 24 days plus 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, in addition to those Public and Bank Holidays as determined by statute or other government order;

The Share Foundation will contribute 7% of salary to the company scheme administered by NEST (National Employment Savings Trust), with 1% of salary being contributed by the post holder. In addition, The Share Foundation will match any additional voluntary contributions made to the NEST scheme to a maximum of a further 1% of salary. If you choose to opt out of the NEST scheme, contributions may be paid to an alternative suitable pension plan.

Interested candidates should submit their CV, accompanied by a supporting personal statement, explaining why they are interested in the role and believe they are suitable. The statement is of equal importance to us as your CV and is a key part of our shortlisting process. It is an opportunity for you to outline your experience and credentials against the details of the post.

To apply, please send your CV and supporting statement to Sue Parsons, Operations Manager at The Share Foundation – via the button below. All applications will be acknowledged.

The Share Foundation

November 2024

Programme Co-Ordinator – Stepping Forward Full Time

Job Overview