FOR FULL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIFE PROJECT GO TO OUR WEBSITE

www.lifeprojectbath.org.uk

For an informal conversation about the post, contact Tom Peryer (Interim Director) at tomperyer@lifeprojectbath.org.uk or call on 07733 897227

SOME BASIC INFORMATION

Our Vision

An inclusive world in which people with learning disabilities know they belong.

Our Mission

To create and model supportive community for people with learning disabilities, their families, and carers.

Our Objectives

To provide purposeful activities which value the holistic needs and well-being of each individual and the community.

To create an environment that promotes social development and nurtures healthy relationships.

To offer platforms for people to express their uniqueness to the world around them and opportunities for those who want, to develop their faith.

Our Ethos

The values of The Life Project (Bath) are at the heart of who we are and what we do – they are guided by a Christian ethos. These values have strong roots in the Christian teaching and practice, whilst also being accessible and meaningful for all – regardless of background. We believe that every person is unique – fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:4) – and is a valuable gift to the world and our community.

The work of the Life Project, its staff, volunteers and service users, are supported by prayer.

Our History

The Life Project was started by a group of Christian families with young adults who have learning disabilities. The group formed in 2009 and was registered as a charity and limited company in 2011

Initially a Christian fellowship group met on a regular basis – this has continued to this day and is now known as ‘Springs’. A range of social activities were organised to develop a sense of community amongst the families who were caring for both children and adults with learning disabilities. Discussions were also ongoing about developing ‘homes for life’ now known as supported living accommodation – something we are still concerned to facilitate today.

In 2014 daytime activities were developed at the Old Acorn Barn in Englishcombe. From the beginning everything planned and developed has been rooted in Christian principles and ethos, and our mission has continued to be the promotion and protection of the health and well-being of people with learning disabilities and their families in Bath and surrounding areas.

Our Services

Currently the Life Project provides the following range of services and activities:

A: Day Services

The core of the Life Project’s provision is undertaken at the Old Acorn Barn in Englishcombe. Three days a week, a range of creative activities are provided for up to 10 ‘Makers’ (our chosen word for ‘service user’!) by three Activity Leaders. One person acts as Team or Session Leader for the Day (9:30 – 14.30). The Trustees wish to add a fourth day and eventually a fifth day’s activities.

These activities run during school term times. During the school summer holidays, a programme of excursions is organised.

Running parallel with the activities at the Barn, the Life Project has a very large allotment in the allotments in Monksdale Rd, Bath. Makers go there most weeks (weather permitting) as part of their day. The allotment is a great resource but it has the potential to become a much greater resource than it is at present. The Trustees very much hope to find ways (and funding) to develop the allotment.

NB: The Deputy Director will have operational responsibility for the smooth functioning of these Day Services. There is an expectation that the person appointed to the Deputy Director post will also lead a creative activity at the Barn for one of their three days a week contract.

B: Springs Christian Fellowship

Springs is a Christian Fellowship for adults with learning disabilities that meets together on the 2nd and 4th Monday evening of each month. Currently it meets at the Weston Hub in Weston, Bath. The evening includes building friendships by sharing news over a drink and refreshments, worshipping (often using Makaton signing) and learning more about the Christian faith – often through drama or other creative activities. Often at the end of ‘term’, there are special occasions such as meals out, the Christmas social, or BBQ’s.

C: Social Events

Social activities are scheduled four or five times per year and are designed for those the Life Project supports plus friends and family members, but others who want to join in are welcome. Rambles, barn dancing, bowling and pizza-making alongside an annual curry evening – all make for fun times and fellowship. Sometimes these events are used as fund-raiser as well.

Job Title:

Deputy Director & Day Services Manager

Basis of appointment:

Permanent contract (subject to satisfactory probationary period)

Salary:

£20,670* (Full time equivalent = £34,450) reviewable annually (from 1 April)

Employers Pension Contribution:

5%

Annual Leave:

19 days (includes pro rata share of bank holidays)

Working Base:

The Old Acorn Barn Englishcombe (and some off-site working)

Reporting to:

Director of the Life Project

This post is envisaged as a combination of three distinct roles within the organisation: the first role is that of Deputy Director; the second is that of Day Services Manager and the third is as a Team Leader leading and contributing to the activities offered at the Old Acorn Barn to our ‘Makers’.[1] There is one salary rate for the Deputy Director and Day Services Manager roles and another rate for the Team Leader role. The salary shown above shows the overall salary when the two rates are combined.

Working Context

The Life Project (Bath) is a small charity and the role of Deputy) is a vital one in maintaining a healthy, flourishing and sustainable enterprise and in contributing to its potential growth and development. The Trustees believe that the Life Project provides a very valuable and unique service and they are keen to see that service extended so as to benefit more people with learning disabilities and their families. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate that they have the drive, enthusiasm, passion, resilience and ability to help realise the significant ambition of this Christian charity.

NB: Some aspects listed below may be ‘swopped’ with similar duties currently in the Director’s job description or delegated to other posts within the organisation as it grows.

3 Roles

(1) Deputy Director (1 day per week – averaged out)

The primary purpose of this part of the role is to be a significant contributor in the maintenance of a healthy, flourishing and sustainable enterprise and in contributing to its potential growth and development. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

a. Working closely and effectively with the Director in the strategic and operational leadership of the Life Project;

b. Deputising for the Director and represent the Life Project to external partners and audiences as and when appropriate or necessary;

c. Taking on the lead responsibility for key management and support functions including:

i. Care of the Old Acorn Barn in terms of facilities, liaison with the landlord (Duchy of Cornwall), health and safety, utilities, cleaning etc

ii. Health and Safety in relation to staff, Makers, volunteers and the general public;

iii. Safeguarding throughout the Life Project.

(2) Day Services Manager (1 day per week – averaged out)

The primary purpose of this aspect of the role is to oversee the delivery of Day Services, ensuring that all Service Users receive the highest standard of care and support. This role involves managing a team that includes Team Leaders (like yourself), Activity Leaders, and Volunteers.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

a. Ensuring the programme of activities offered is high quality, varied and well-suited to the needs of the Makers;

b. Reviewing with other Team and Activity Leaders the extent to which the individuals needs and potentials of individuals can be met in the first instance by the Life Project and continue to be met;

c. Line managing Team Leaders and some Activity Leaders;

d. Organising the logistics of staff rotas, training, transportation, facility and equipment maintenance;

e. Overseeing communications with parents of Makers, carers and other stake-holders;

f. Taking on other duties and responsibilities that contribute to the effective functioning of day service activities.

(3) Team Leader (1 day per week)

The third part of the work is as Team Leader. The primary role of the Team Leader is to oversee the organisation and delivery of sessions for our Makers on a designated day or days as provided by the Activity Leaders. The role of Team Leader also includes running a purposeful activity on the day, which engages the Makers, helping them at the same in to develop skills and confidence.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

a. Overseeing the planning ,delivery and review of activities on your Team Leader day;

b. Preparing and delivering your own specialist activity It would be particularly helpful if that specialism. In the first instance at least, was either cooking or gardening/horticulture;

c. Developing supportive, boundaried relationships with Makers, and when appropriate their parents or primary carers, and personal assistants;

d. Ensuring that all the protocols and practices regarding health and safety and safeguarding are adhered to on your Team Leader day.

The Life Project (Bath) Commitment to Safeguarding

The Life Project (Bath) is committed to ensuring that all vulnerable adults (and indeed all those who are part of the Life Project) are kept safe when they are being supported by or working within the umbrella of the Life Project. There is a comprehensive safeguarding policy and set of protocols. It is a requirement for all staff and volunteers to have a valid DBS certificate and all staff are required to keep up to date with their safeguarding training.

Occupational requirement of the post

A Christian ethos permeates all the work within this role – indeed there is a deep rooted expectation that success will be achieved through a combination of adherence to our core values, purposeful and harmonious relationships, clear-sighted vision and practice, hard work and a prayerful attitude to all that is planned and done). In this respect being of the Christian faith is a Genuine Occupational Requirement of the job in the terms of the Equality Act 2010.  The Life Project has a Statement of Faith which the Deputy Director is expected to endorse.

Person Profile

Qualifications

· Qualifications or experience relevant to the post (e.g. these may relate to health/ social care/ community support/ education and training

· (Desirable) Degree level qualifications or equivalent

Experience

· Proven experience in managing a team, including both paid staff and volunteers, in a social care/ education/ community work environment.

· Experience in service delivery, particularly with adults with learning disabilities or similar vulnerabilities.

· Experience in managing operational aspects of a service, such as rotas, resources, and budgeting.

· Experience of implementing safeguarding policies and procedures.

· Experience in developing and implementing new services or activities based on user needs and strategic goals.

· Experience with strategic planning and contributing to long-term service development.

Skills, Knowledge and Ability

· Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate, support, and develop staff.

· Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) with the ability to engage effectively with staff, Service Users, families, and external stakeholders.

· Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities effectively.

· Budget management and financial oversight skills.

· Ability to manage risk assessments and implement effective safeguarding practices.

· Strong IT skills (e.g. Microsoft 365), including the ability to manage documentation and reports electronically.

· Ability to contribute to strategic decision-making and long-term service planning.

Transport

· Not reliant on public transport to reach the Old Acorn Barn, Englishcombe

· Own means of transport

Personal Attributes

All essential

· A clear commitment to the mission, objectives, ethos, and values of The Life Project (see paragraph on Occupational Requirement)

· A collaborative style and able to build relationships

· Resilience and emotional intelligence

· Ability to deal with ambiguity and still make decisions

· Attentive to appropriately meeting people’s needs

· Proactive with dynamism and energy

· Confident and personable when presenting

· A strong personal presence which generates confidence

· A positive and optimistic outlook

· Prepared to work some evenings and weekends

[1] We describe those adults with learning disabilities who attend the Life Project as our ‘Makers’ rather than ‘clients’ or ‘service users’