“We had a nursery near where I grew up,” she says. “I often saw the children playing and would go and spend time with them.”
As head of centre for Rusholme Sure Start Centre in Manchester, she oversees the daycare manager at the centre and liaises with the district commissioning manager. The key to providing a good service, she believes, is listening to the parents.
“We have an advisory group and aim to have half of it made up of parents. That way they can tell us what they actually need and want.”
Douglas has worked for the council for more than 30 years, moving from a student nursery nurse post through to her job today.
“I’ve done a lot of in-house training and I completed a post-qualifying course funded by the council. I also did a certificate in management and counselling skills,” she says. “It was useful as a lot of my job is about communication. Sometimes I’m leading people I don’t see everyday and they have to be briefed on what they need to deliver.”
But face-to-face work with families is her real passion. “I know the administration and paperwork has to be done, but I love going out to meet people – when you’re in higher management you don’t get that contact. We run a birth registration service and I feel privileged to see new parents full of hope and know that I can direct them to services that can help them realise their dreams for their children.
My day
8.45am. Greet the staff and children who have arrived early.
9.30-11.30am Provide supervision and direction for four members of staff.
11-30-12.30pm Normally I’ll have meetings with partner agencies such as the primary care trust, voluntary organisations and the local authority. I’ll also plan the afternoon activities.
12.30-2.00pm Usually I’ll be in more meetings. This will include getting an update on the delivery of services.
2.00-3.00pm Have a meeting with Jobcentre Plus and training consortium about two-week training package for a group of unemployed parents
3.00-4.00pm Speak to a local voluntary organisation that has been commissioned to deliver services in the Rusholme area.
4.00-6.00pm Chair the Rusholme Advisory Group, which brings together local parents and children and families workers.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
