Social Worker (Children's Programme Lead)

Job Title

Programme Lead (Social Worker) - THRIVE Academic & Club Explore

Reporting Line

Reports to: Head of Department / Senior Social Worker (as assigned)

Supervises: Programme Assistants (if assigned), Volunteers, Facilitators

Role Purpose

The Programme Lead (Social Worker) is responsible for end-to-end planning, delivery, safeguarding, and evaluation of WSC's youth/child development programmes-specifically THRIVE Academic and Club Explore. The role ensures high-quality programme outcomes, sound case-informed practice, strong volunteer management, prudent budget administration, and effective partnership with parents.

Key Responsibilities

1) Plan Programmes

• Lead annual and term-based programme planning (objectives, scope, timelines, staffing, logistics, risk controls).

• Align programme design to WSC outcomes, child development needs, and family strengthening goals.

• Develop implementation plans, session schedules, volunteer deployment plans, and contingency plans.

2) Oversee THRIVE Academic & Club Explore

• Provide overall programme oversight, ensuring consistency, quality assurance, and safeguarding compliance.

• Coordinate operations across both programmes (venue, attendance, groupings, resources, stakeholder communication).

• Ensure appropriate staff-to-child/volunteer ratios and duty allocations for each session.

3) Facilitate Programme

• Facilitate sessions (where required) and lead key touchpoints (orientation, briefings, group transitions, debriefs).

• Ensure the programme environment is safe, structured, inclusive, and supportive.

• Manage ground operations during programme days (incident response, behavioural support, escalation where needed).

4) Develop Content

• Design and curate age-appropriate learning and enrichment content (lesson plans, activities, worksheets, facilitator guides).

• Maintain content quality and progression (term-by-term structure, differentiated supports, enrichment tracks).

• Train staff/volunteers on content delivery standards and classroom/group management approaches.

5) Conduct Evaluation

• Build and maintain an evaluation framework: outputs, outcomes, and participant progress tracking.

• Conduct pre/post assessments where appropriate (academic, engagement, social-emotional indicators).

• Produce periodic evaluation reports and recommendations for programme improvements and stakeholder reporting.

6) Manage Programme Budget

• Plan and administer the programme budget (forecasting, procurement, cost control, reconciliation).

• Track expenditures, maintain documentation, and ensure value-for-money procurement.

• Support reporting for grants/funders (where applicable) and contribute to sustainability planning.

7) Manage Volunteers

• Recruit, screen (as per policy), onboard, train, schedule, and supervise volunteers.

• Maintain volunteer performance standards, conduct debriefs, and address conduct/performance issues.

• Develop volunteer retention practices (recognition, progression pathways, feedback loops).

8) Maintain Relationship with Parents

• Serve as a key point of contact for parents/guardians on programme matters.

• Conduct parent engagement touchpoints: orientation, consent processes, updates, feedback sessions.

• Support early identification of needs and appropriate referrals/linkages (within WSC or to partners), in line with social work practice and confidentiality.

Social Work Practice & Safeguarding (Embedded Expectations)

• Apply social work ethics, confidentiality, and professional boundaries in all interactions.

• Conduct basic triage and risk screening where relevant, and escalate safeguarding concerns per WSC protocol.

• Maintain accurate case/programme documentation and incident records.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Programme delivery reliability: session completion, punctuality, incident rates, safeguarding compliance.

• Outcomes: student progress indicators (academic/engagement), attendance retention, parent satisfaction.

• Volunteer management: recruitment fill-rate, training completion, retention, volunteer satisfaction.

• Budget performance: variance to budget, timely reconciliation, audit-ready documentation.

• Continuous improvement: evaluation cycle completion and implemented improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work (or equivalent recognised qualification).

• Registered Social Worker (if applicable/required by your operating context).

• Minimum 2-5 years in programme delivery, child/youth work, or community services (adjust to your seniority needs).

Required Competencies & Skills

• Programme design and delivery (planning, facilitation, operations, risk management).

• Groupwork and child/youth engagement behaviour support strategies.

• Volunteer leadership: coaching, performance management, scheduling, retention.

• Budget management and basic finance administration.

• Evaluation and data discipline (assessment tools, reporting, outcome tracking).

• Stakeholder management: parent engagement, partner coordination, internal collaboration.

• Strong documentation, case notes/programme records, and compliance mindset.

Working Conditions (Customisable)

• Evening/weekend work required based on programme schedules.

• Occasional offsite activities/events.

• Must comply with WSC safeguarding requirements and relevant checks.