Centre Manager

Are you passionate about transforming the lives of families of babies and young children with special needs and/or disabilities? 

First Step is a Charity based in the London Borough of Havering, that for over 36 years has supported more than 1,700 families and their children.

Families are referred or self-refer to us at a moment of crisis or uncertainty, normally pre-diagnosis, fearing all is not well with their child.  We provide an array of family-centric services tailored to each family’s and child’s needs.

We are looking for a Centre Manager to take over from our current postholder who has been with the charity for over 27 years as both volunteer and staff member and will play an active part of inducting and handing over and to the successful candidate.

The person we are looking for is a unique blend of heart and mind, who is committed to ensure that every person that comes into contact with First Step feels welcomed and is treated with dignity and respect.  They also need to ensure that First Step operates in a professional, organised, and effective manner.

You will be a friendly, capable and professional leader who is able to provide support and nurturing to a small team of staff and volunteers.  You will be passionate about working with the children and their families in sometimes challenging situations.  You will have a good understanding of safeguarding and be able to juggle workloads.

The postholder is responsible for overseeing all day to day front of house and administrative functions of First Step and it will be a hands-on role.  They will develop and maintain effective and efficient business systems across the organisation to ensure best value for the children and families we support.

Key Information

Location: Hornchurch London Borough of Havering

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Hours: Monday – Friday 08:30 – 17:00

Reporting to: CEO

Closing Date: midday 15th November although early application is advised as it could close earlier if we receive a high level of interest

Application: Please submit a CV and covering letter of no more than 3 sides of A4, explaining your motivation for applying and your relevant skills and experience, and how they meet the requirements of the role.  A detailed Job Description and Person Specification is available. 

Annual Leave: 6.6 weeks holiday per annum including bank holidays

Pension: Employer pension contributions after 3 months

For further information or an informal conversation, please see contact details on Job Description

First Step is committed to working with children, parents, staff, volunteers and the community to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. We have a duty to carry out the appropriate procedures if we believe that a child or vulnerable adult may be subject to any form of abuse.

First Step is committed to making sure it provides equality of opportunity through employment and service delivery. First Step’s approach to Equality and Diversity is based on the principle of inclusion (increasing the diversity of people actively involved in and contributing to the development of sustainable communities). At its heart is a commitment to the value that all staff bring to the organisation because of their diverse characteristics. These cover race, gender, disability, age, marital status, sexuality, religion, background, personality and work style.

Please be aware that a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be required under the provision of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.