Out for Our Children needs a Resources Development and Outreach Worker

 

The Organisation

Out for Our Children is a small voluntary group of lesbian mothers based in London which was set up in 2004 in response to the lack of children’s books and toys which reflect our reality. Our mission is to produce books, stories, toys and other learning resources which portray the lives of children living in same sex or LGBT-parented households. We have achieved a great deal in our first few years including publication of two books – Spacegirl Pukes and If I had a Hundred Mummies - posters,  our website www.outforourchildren.co.uk and the beginnings of some educational material for the use of teachers and staff in early years centres and primary schools. This work has been funded by a number of small grants from the National Lottery Awards for All, the Local Network Fund, the Scarman Trust and Haringey Community Chest. However, our success has meant an increase in our workload to the point where it has become necessary to create a paid position to support and further the group’s work. We have recently been awarded a one year grant from the Equality and Human Rights Commission to expand our operation with a view to developing a new teaching pack for Foundation stage and making all our resources more widely available to primary schools and early years centres.

 

The Job

The job has three key elements. The first is the general administration of the organisation, which would include servicing the monthly weekend meetings of the management committee, updating the website and dealing with enquiries and requests from the public for information and materials[for what?]. A second key area will be the commissioning and delivery of a new teaching pack for Foundation Stage to be made available online, working alongside the voluntary Management Committee. This will entail working with the teaching profession to ensure materials are appropriate and can be integrated within the National Curriculum. The third and perhaps most important part is to raise the profile of our activity nationally and ensure that the resources we produce are widely publicised and available to all. There is a strong element of advocacy to the work, and the post holder will be required to represent the organisation externally to Local Education Authorities, teachers’ organisations and others with an interest in our work. The work will be overseen by our existing Management Committee, who will continue to work in a voluntary capacity at strategic level and to write and illustrate books etc. We intend to designate a line manager to support the staff member. We anticipate that the project will be delivered flexibly on a self-employed basis probably working from home, although we may be able to offer office accommodation if required and employed status. Remuneration will be at the level of £30K pro-rata for the equivalent of 2.5 days per week as self employed, around £27K if payrolled. We intend to apply for longer term funding for the post.

 

The Person

We are looking for an energetic and focused individual who will able to work largely unsupervised to take forward this important work. You will need experience of organising and managing events (this could include consultation management, seminars or conferences). You will need excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as experience of administration in a small organisation, probably in the voluntary or small business sectors. Above all, you must have a strong understanding of the issues around same-sex/LGBT parenting and a passionate commitment to bringing about changes in attitudes of service providers and in the population at large. It will be necessary to work some evenings and Sunday mornings to accommodate the Management Committee.

 

To apply

Request an application pack from info@www.outforourchildren.co.uk. Complete and return the application form online to the same address. The closing date for receipt of completed applications is May 8th Interviews will be held on May 18th in London Shortlisted applicants will be notified by May 11th and will be required to give a short (informal) presentation at interview.