Experience
I qualified with my NNEB in 1982 and began working in nurseries in the private sector. I then transferred to posts in daycare centres for social care in several London authorities, working my way up to deputy manager.
In between these posts I spent four years working with families in a mental health unit. I was then fortunate to have the opportunity of setting up and delivering services for an Early Excellence Centre for Education and now manage two children's centres, located close together.
What I do
Over the past five years I have planned, developed and delivered integrated services for children and families in two local communities.
My top priority is to deliver a service that gives young children opportunities to extend and develop their skills. Through play and the provision of a stimulating, safe environment where the child is the focal point, children are encouraged to express themselves at every level.
The centre also provides families with the skills and opportunities to further their own aspirations. We aim to empower families to be fully involved with every aspect of their children's lives, from home to school.
To ensure they receive a seamless, integrated service, I maintain partnership working across all agencies. I lead a multi-agency team and co-ordinate a range of services. This involves working with a voluntary pre-school provider to offer childcare and education. Wraparound care is given by a primary school sharing our site. A qualified early years teacher works alongside the provision to support and develop the education input.
I'm also involved in family support and portage services, and co-ordinating our early years resource centre as a lending facility to external providers that offer childcare.
I am particularly proud of our HAPPI Kids initiative which has evolved through partnership working with the child development centre, local special needs school and the centre itself. HAPPI Kids provides early educational intervention for children with complex needs.
Ambition
There is still so much to do with the projects I'm leading that I have not really thought too far ahead. However, I do feel very passionate about children's centres and would like to use my experiences and skills in supporting other managers with designing, developing and delivering similar projects.
Options
Tina Jeffries Director of the Red Space Company
Viv's experience of managing settings within local authority services is extensive. In particular, her involvement in setting up an Early Excellence Centre is valuable transferable experience for many senior roles within the private, public and voluntary sectors.
It is important, when considering your future career pathway, to identify specific experiences and skills that have wider value in the workforce. The mix of Viv's experience will enable her to consider a wide range of options, either continuing with local government employment or diversifying into other sectors.
Head of early years and extended services
Viv's experience of setting up and managing the services of an Early Excellence Centre and two children's centres is useful experience for this role. A senior position like this, in the delivery of council services to early years education and social care, will vary within different local authorities. Responsibilities will include planning and supporting the development of a range of children's centres and extended schools services in a local government area.
Salary range: 36,500 - 48,500
Operational manager
Multi-agency support for looked-after children Experience of managing complex service provision for families and children, supported by a management qualification, would enable Viv to consider this type of role.
The position would involve managing a multi-agency service for looked-after and adopted children, working collaboratively with different agencies to plan and deliver better services to ensure these children have better experiences.
Salary range: 38,000 - 42,000
Regional manager/director
National voluntary sector organisation (for example, Home Start UK or National Childminding Association) Much of Viv's experience has required her to establish good working relationships with a range of organisations and people. She has had to negotiate and agree complex contracts and arrangements between other agencies and maintain quality standards in the delivery of services she leads. This stands her in good stead to consider a regional director's role for one of the national voluntary sector organisations that provide services to children and parents. Viv's knowledge of local government service would transfer well to a position like this. Generally the role would require her to plan, direct and quality-assure provision and contracts with government, local authorities and other agencies.
Salary range: 40,000 - 50,000
* The Red Space Company (tel: 0845 226 5528, www.redspacecompany.com) provides workforce coaching, training and development programmes and resources.
