What's happened to our benefits since 2010?

We put this summary together when we met with #Brighton Kemptown MP @lloyd_rm recently, to give a sense of the upheaval in our benefits system since 2010. 

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Most of our clients are disabled, and many are struggling to cope with the harsh changes in disability benefits over recent years. The planned roll out of universal credit is a real worry.

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The benefit cap means there is no effective safety net for families with children in high rent areas like #Brighton. No wonder food bank use is soaring.

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It's now so much harder for people to afford somewhere to live. Shifting housing support from local councils to the DWP has also meant a loss of expertise, so vulnerable claimants have to explain their needs over and over.

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Universal credit is a disaster for workers on low incomes. Miserly and unreliable, it pushes people into debt and towards eviction. And the treatment of self-employed people is a scandal waiting to happen.

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Early Years Lead – permanent contract

Early Years Lead – permanent contract

£19,430 per annum pro rata; £10.07 per hour     (NJC scale 4, spinal point 20)

20 hours per week. The playroom is open Tuesday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm.

Actual working hours to be arranged

Closing date:   Friday 11th May 12 noon                                                      Interview date: TBC

Required qualification level: Minimum Level 3. EYP / EYT status desired

The Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project (BUCFP) is for the people of Brighton and Hove who are unemployed and low-waged. We offer low cost meals, laundry facilities, computer facilities, courses, benefits advice, parent support and quality childcare and education.

We operate an Ofsted registered environment which we call our ‘playroom’ which follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and offers free drop in places for the children of our centre users. Parents can volunteer or take part in free or low cost activities while their children are in the ‘playroom’ which is run by a qualified Early Years Teacher and a team of Early Years Practitioners and Volunteers. Parents/carers stay on the premises while their children are with us.

We are looking for an Early Years Lead to support the Early Years/Parent Support Co-ordinator in the running of the playroom, to support and guide our staff team with EYFS and to deputise when required.

Applicants must have a minimum Level 3 qualification in early years practice (Early Years Professional (EYP) / Early Years Teacher (EYT) status is desirable but not essential); experience of working in a supervisory role in an early years environment is also essential alongside experience of working well within a team; good literacy and communication skills; excellent knowledge of the EYFS curriculum and practical knowledge of planning, observations and assessment; good knowledge of the Ofsted welfare requirements, of early years legislation / policy and safeguarding.

The role is to provide direct support to the children and families attending the playroom, to support the implementation the EYFS and Ofsted welfare requirements and to support the day to day delivery of this.

The Playroom works with a diverse range of families and children, many of whom have English as an additional language, we embrace this and work hard to establish and maintain positive and respectful relationships with parents and children. The playroom service is free at the point of delivery and many of our parents become playroom volunteers. The successful applicant will need to feel comfortable working within a mixed team of paid and volunteer workers.

This post is subject to a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

BUCFP Early Years Lead job ref APRIL

Early years lead job description original

BUCFP Person Specification Early Years Lead-1

Early Years Lead Application Form original 2018

Our Playroom

The playroom was Ofsted inspected on 12.4.18 and was awarded an Ofsted rating of "GOOD". We are so proud of our little playroom community and really appreciate and thank the hard work of our playroom team, paid workers, volunteers parents and children who make it all possible and so much fun. It is a privilege to work with you all. Thank you

Please download the report HERE

FREE COURSE: Returning to Employment or Education:

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Are you interested in going back to work or study? Well an exciting new course is starting on Friday the 11th of May 1.30 – 4pm and lasts for 8 weeks. Topics covered include: Interview Skills, learning Skills, CV writing, note taking, presentation skills, organizational skills, time management, stress management, Job searching, relaxation techniques. This course is run in a relaxed friendly and supportive atmosphere, and will include group discussions, individual work, and case studies. Your teacher has a lot of experience and knowledge about the challenges of going back to work or education, and is a qualified teacher with a PGCE.

Starting: - Friday 11th May 1.30 – 4.00pm

At Brighton Unemployed Centre families Project – 6 Tilbury Place Brighton.