Family Participation Facilitator

Family Participation Facilitator (Full-time, 35 hour/ 52 weeks)

Location: StartBright ELC, Clondalkin, Co Dublin .

Purpose of the Role: The purpose of the Family Participation Facilitator (FCF) role is to support parents in StartBright Early Education Centres and School Aged Childcare, leading to improved outcomes for children and families.

Employer: StartBright ELC

Based: StartBright Early Education and School Aged Childcare Services, based in Clondalkin, Co Dublin.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Family Participation Facilitator will:

• Actively engage with parents to build on their parental capacity through provision of one to one, non-judgemental, confidential support
• Work collaboratively with parents to identify their specific needs and signpost to supporting organisations or supports as appropriate
• Assist in referral process alongside parents to supports such as SLT, CDNT etc. this is done in partnership with parents
• Implement and support parents’ participation in a range of parental engagement initiatives including workshops, coffee mornings, parent and toddler groups, family events and parent support programmes
• Conduct hands on and informative workshops to support parents and proactively improve the home learning environment
• Collaborating with other staff in the Early years and School Aged Childcare service, Parent Carer Facilitator colleagues, other professional bodies and stakeholders (Area Based Childhood Programmes, South Dublin County Partnership, Early Childhood Ireland etc) and promote the range of available services to affect the best outcomes for parents and children
• Participate in team meetings, communities of practice (COP), ongoing training and supervision and proactively identify training relevant to the role, share learning from any training or events attended
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of the FCF role and its associated activities
• Deliver/Support attendance in evidenced-based and evidence-informed parent programmes to parents in Clondalkin / Assist in linking families with local/appropriate services and agencies. Encourage their attendance at these services.
• Promote the role of Family Facilitator within trainings that may occur in the early years sector e.g. presenting at conference. These will all be in relation to StartBright vision, mission and values
• Adhere to KPIs set out by StartBright to support their Strategic Plan (2024-2026) and quality goals
• Support impact measurement through data collection, evidence and evaluation
• Share knowledge with other team members to maintain standards.
• Actively participate as a member of the designated team/service.
• Seek the advice of relevant personnel when appropriate/as required.
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace.
• Work within current legislation, relevant policies and procedures, guidelines and protocols within the designated team/service
• Adhere to the supervision policy.
• Any other duties that may be requested from time to time in agreement with StartBright.

Administrative

The Family Participation Facilitator will:

• Maintain accurate up to date records and files in accordance with national standards, guidelines , legislation and all governing bodies procedures
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Contribute to ongoing evaluation of the service.
• Collaborate with Centre Manager and Quality Mentor in developing the role of the Family Support Practitioner and the team.

Education & Training

The Family Participation Facilitator will:

• Engage in Personal and professional development as required in role as it evolves and in collaboration with the Centre Manager and Quality Mentor.
• Engage in in-service training and other relevant training opportunities (including attendance at mandatory programmes).
• Review and change work practices in line with training and service developments
• Engage in I.T. training relevant to their work.

Person Specification and Attributes

The Family Participation Facilitator will hold:

Third level degree in Early Childhood Education and Care, Social Work/Care, Psychology, Social Sciences (or equivalent relevant discipline). Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 7 (or higher)

Required skills, competencies and/or knowledge

• A minimum of three years’ experience of working with parents
• Understanding of the needs of vulnerable parents and families from areas of disadvantage
• Understanding in trauma informed practice
• Experience of group facilitation and supporting adults to engage in workshops, information sessions, meetings etc.
• Experience in signposting supports relevant to needs of parents. This may include supports relevant to the child or parents themselves.
• Facilitate engagement with further education and training if necessary/applicable
• Experience of establishing contacts and networking with other agencies and groups
• Ability to communicate clearly and work closely with an interdisciplinary team
• Excellent communication skills with a professional approach to the role
• Work well as part of a team but also confident and capable of working on own initiative.

Professional Knowledge

• Awareness of children and young people’s participatory practice
• Sufficient professional knowledge to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the role.
• An understanding of child protection risk and harm
• An understanding of a community development approach to child protection and family support.
• An understanding of the impact of poverty and disadvantage on communities and especially its impact on parenting.
• An understanding of children’s holistic developmental needs within the context of their family and community.
• An understanding of children’s rights.
• An understanding of evidenced informed; human rights based; outcomes focused; integrated; and preventative child and family services.
• Understanding of external supporting bodies that families may liaise with/need to liaise with to support best outcomes (Meitheal, AsIam, Primary Care, HSE, TUSLA, etc)

Planning, using Judgement and Delivering a Quality Service

• Demonstrate a commitment to delivering a quality service that is child-centred and safe
• Display awareness and appreciation of families and the ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect
• Demonstrate the ability to make effective decisions regarding signposting and facilitate a solution focused agenda with regard to families
• The capacity to plan and manage resources in an effective and resourceful manner
• The ability to manage self in a busy working environment including the ability to prioritise workloads
• Flexibility and openness to change
• The ability to evaluate information and make effective decisions in a timely manner.

Teamwork

• The ability to resolve conflict and empower people with sometimes quite divergent points of view
• Initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement
• Promote a culture that values diversity and respect in the workplace
• Demonstrate effective team skills.
• Demonstrate flexibility and openness to change
• Demonstrate ability to utilise supervision effectively

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Effective interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
• The ability to empathise with and treat others with dignity and respect
• Display effective communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate with colleagues, families, etc.
• Experience in impact measurement, evidence gathering and data analysis
• Diligent recording of data, evidence and feedback to support StartBright’s impact measurement and key performance indicators (KPIs)

Desirable:

• Experience in conducting and delivering workshops, information sessions and/or evidence based programmes to adults

Employment and Reporting Arrangements

The Family Participation Facilitator will be employed by StartBright ELC and report to the Centre Manager of the centre and the Quality Mentor. They will work closely with all the educators on site, the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of Directors at intervals.

This post is for a two-year contract with the possibility of extension in accordance with funding and financial sustainability of StartBright ELC.

Further information on salary and benefits can be found on the job post on indeed.com. see below for more information on how to apply.

How to apply

Interested candidates should visit www.startbright.ie for more information on the services we provide and send a current CV and Cover Letter specifically stating the position applied for to: The Manager via email to manager@startbright.ie

Or alternatively;

via post to: The Manager, StartBright ELC Head Office, 1st Floor, ACE Enterprise Park, Bawnogue, Clondalkin, D22

The closing date for receipt of applications is strictly no later than 1pm on Friday the 8th August 2025.

Please note short-listing may apply.

StartBright Early Learning Centres Company Ltd by Guarantee is an equal opportunities employer.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term
Contract length: 20 months

Pay: €35,000.00-€40,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Company events
• Employee assistance program
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• working with parents: 3 years (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 08/08/2025