Debbie Johnson, Home-Start co-ordinator in Grapes Hill, Norwich.

Home-Start Co-ordinator

Answers supplied by Debbie Johnson, senior
co-ordinator for Home-Start Norwich. Home-Start offers support, friendship and practical help throughout the UK and also the British Forces in Germany and Cyprus. The organisation offers a unique service, recruiting and training volunteers who are usually parents themselves to visit families at home who have at least one child under five to offer informal, friendly and confidential support. To give children the best start in life, Home-Start supports parents as they grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with children and widen their links with the local community. Home-Start as an umbrella organisation has been going for 32 years, and Home-Start Norwich celebrates its fifth birthday this year.

What does the job entail?
This is a job where every day is very different. The main bulk of your work would be recruiting and preparing volunteers for home visiting using a wide range of medium from all over Norfolk. Volunteers help families at all sorts of times and a co-ordinator will often be involved in the first sessions with families. You will not only be meeting and preparing volunteers, but also meeting with families, listening carefully and giving help, support and advice. There are regular team meetings, individual support meetings and supervision sessions.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
Parenting skills are naturally essential and a natural affinity with children and the ability to communicate well is really important. Any qualifications or
experience in relevant areas such as the care sector would be an advantage. If you want to work at a senior level, Norwich City College runs a voluntary sector management course which is particularly appropriate. A general experience of life and an understanding of the difficulties and challenges families might experience is really helpful, such as divorce, separation, step-families settlement problems, etc. Nearly all co-ordinators at Norwich start as volunteers. Home-Start volunteers go on a preparation course to prepare them for home visiting and work with families for at least six months before applying to be a co-ordinator.

What type of person will fit in?
Families come in all shapes, sizes and cultures so staff and volunteers are recruited from a wide range of backgrounds to cover this. Some staff are outgoing, some are quieter, but it is a really friendly environment.

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
The job is really varied and interesting. You might need to go on residential training courses at some levels which could be a plus or minus, depending on your situation. In terms of experience gained, it is definitely positive, and it is lovely to meet so many people sharing knowledge, “best practice” ideas and building support networks. Holding babies, playing with children, hearing positive stories and being able to really make a difference can be lovely. There can be some difficult moments, but the scheme is all about helping families stay positive and helping them constructively through these times.

What opportunities exist for career progression?
You could go on to become a senior co-ordinator or manager, or eventually progress to working at regional management level. There are good opportunities to progress higher within Home-Start and the experience would help your employment prospects in various voluntary organisations in Norwich.

What can I expect to earn?
A co-ordinator would expect to earn between £17,922-£20,970, or pro-rata if part-time. The salary bracket for a senior co-ordinator or manager is £21,033-£24,708.

Any hints on getting a job in this area?
There are eight Home-Start schemes in Norfolk and more than 300 in the UK, so vacancies are fairly commonplace. The best way to gain experience is to volunteer. Although there are volunteer training scheme courses running throughout the year, in September two will be running, one in the daytime and one in the evening, so it would suit volunteers and potential future co-ordinators currently in full-time employment thinking of a change of direction, or those who might volunteer to visit families on their way home from work. Ring (01603) 616400 for further details and an informal interview. For similar work with other organisations, watch the recruitment section of the local press and visit their websites.