Job Introduction
We’re recruiting an Improvement Partner for early years to help us make a real difference for children across Milton Keynes.
You’ll join our Education Outcomes service, working closely with colleagues across settings, schools and our wider early years community to improve the quality of early education.
This is a rewarding role where you’ll use your knowledge of early years practice, safeguarding and setting/school improvement to help raise standards and reduce inequalities.
In return, you’ll be joining a welcoming team within Milton Keynes City Council, where we work as one council and follow our values every day – we’re dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
The role requires an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and a relevant professional background in early years education.
This role may be suitable for home working, following an assessment. Home-based roles require a minimum of one day in the office/site per week.
Interviews for this role will be held on 1 May
Milton Keynes City Council is a modern and friendly place to work. Find out more about working with us here: www.mkcounciljobs.org.uk
Main Responsibility
- Maintain an overview of early years standards and quality across Milton Keynes, including outcomes for children who may be vulnerable to underachievement.
- Analyse and interpret data from a range of sources to support evidence-based judgements.
- Lead and deliver projects that improve early years education and care, including multi-agency programmes to reduce inequalities.
- Help settings build capacity by supporting self-evaluation, development planning and effective communication.
- Provide challenge and professional support to leaders, practitioners, childminders and teachers.
- Represent Milton Keynes City Council at meetings with local, regional and national partners.
The Ideal Candidate
We’re looking for someone who is confident working with a wide range of colleagues and partners, who brings strong professional judgement and a commitment to improving outcomes for children. You’ll be:
- A qualified teacher with a Level six qualification or above and experience in a senior leadership role in a school or early years setting.
- Someone with expert knowledge of safeguarding, early years welfare requirements and improvement strategies.
- Skilled at analysing information, making strategic decisions and managing a demanding workload.
- An effective communicator who can influence, support and motivate others.
- A collaborative professional who shows resilience, political sensitivity and a commitment to equality.
- Able to lead change, manage risk and deliver high-quality support across multiple projects.
To be successful in this role, you’ll need a full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle. If you’re offered the position, we’ll ask for proof of your licence and vehicle insurance, including business use cover. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to confirm your appointment without these documents.
If you’re offered the role, we’ll arrange an Enhanced DBS check as part of our pre-employment process (unless you’re already registered with the DBS Update Service).
Package Description
In addition to your salary, we offer a range of benefits including:
- Great holiday benefits - most roles include 28 days annual leave every year on top of public (bank) holidays, increasing to 32 days after five years. In addition, there is a holiday purchase scheme allowing staff to purchase up to 5 additional days of leave each year.
- Excellent pension – everyone who works for us can join the national Local Government Pension Scheme, widely regarded as one of the best available.
- A full range of family friendly policies including enhanced maternity, adoption and paternity support and a childcare subsidy.
- Access to an award-winning employee benefits programme that includes a health cash plan, a low-cost bike purchase scheme as well as high street discounts and money off entertainment and travel.
- Salary sacrifice car scheme – low-cost leasing of electric and low emission vehicles.
- Blue Light Card - employees working within social care can qualify for an additional range of discounts from national retailers and local businesses.
Why join us? Along with more on our Benefits, discover why Working at the City Council could be the right move for you here Working at the Council | Milton Keynes
Our roles are either designated ‘site based’ or ‘home based’. ‘Site based’ roles can include up to two days a week working from home whilst ‘home based’ roles are based at home four days a week. Of course, managers designate which category roles are in based on the needs of the service and the circumstances.
About The Organisation
Milton Keynes City Council is a large, modern and financially stable employer with around 2,500 people working across our eight areas. Together we provide local residents and businesses with a wide range of important round-the-clock services and aim to make our city a better place to live.
We work hard because of the demands placed on us, like protecting children from harm or preventing homelessness. However, working for the city is always rewarding and everyone has the opportunity to make a real difference.
We’re very proud of our diversity and are committed to having a workforce that reflects the community we serve. Whatever your background, you will be welcome here if you share our values of being dedicated, respectful and collaborative.
We offer great training and support and because of the size and scale of the organisation there are always new opportunities to explore when it’s time for a new role.
If you’d like to know more about how we do things and what matters to us, take a look at our short booklet What makes us Milton Keynes City Council.
