Working Hours: 21 Hours Per Week (Monday (Platt Hall), Wednesday and Thursday (Manchester Art Gallery))
Contract Type: Part-Time, Permanent
Closing Date: 30 June 2025
Closing time: 11.59pm
Interview Method: Face to Face
This role is subject to -
2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance - this post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (amended in 2013). Appointable candidates will be required to apply for a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Information provided by you or the DBS will be dealt with in a confidential manner and in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice which can be viewed here. We have a policy on the Employment of Ex-Offenders and it is available upon request.
We are seeking someone passionate about creating welcoming creative spaces and activities for early years children and their families. This public facing role based at Manchester Art Gallery and Platt Hall will involve delivering encounters for babies, toddlers and families, that encourage connection between parents and children and boost wellbeing. You will be responsible for sourcing, ordering, preparing and maintaining resources for the programme to ensure an excellent offer for family visitors. A proportion of your time will also include managing administrative tasks for the small team and on occasion you will be required to organise and manage the use of additional support from freelancers and volunteers.
This role will provide an exciting opportunity to be part of the Manchester Art Gallery and Platt Hall Learning Team, working together with the Senior Learning Manager: Early Years and Families and various partners to develop and implement a wide range of activities, projects and programmes for our youngest residents.
The objective of the Early Years and Families programme at Manchester Art Gallery and Platt Hall is to support children and their families to thrive by building cultural capital and confidence through accessible programmes. We aim to achieve this by bringing together multi-agency expertise and skills so we can effectively co-ordinate support and develop new creative services.
We will be holding two information sessions about this role and another new role - Volunteer Support Officer at Manchester Art Gallery.
On-line session - Wednesday 11th June 1-2pm
In person at Manchester Art Gallery - Sunday 15th June 2-3pm
Please contact the hiring manager, Katy McCall, at
[email protected] to book a place on either session.
We Are Looking For Candidates Who
Are passionate and committed to making a positive difference to the lives of children and families in Manchester.
Have experience of, or an interest in working with families seeking sanctuary.
Have a creative and flexible approach and experience of developing and delivering sessions for early years and families.
Have an attention to detail and a passion for creating welcoming and exciting learning environments.
Have an interest in art galleries and an awareness of how art impacts on people’s lives.
Have excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to build and maintain positive relationships with families, colleagues and partners.
Are flexible, adaptable and demonstrate problem-solving skills within difficult situations. Whilst demonstrating a non-judgemental, empathetic and sensitive approach.
Are IT literate and have the ability to learn various council systems (e.g. SAP, Artifax, Microsoft Teams).
Demonstrate an understanding of Equality Diversity and Inclusion good practice, mental health and awareness of barriers to cultural venues.
About The Role
Responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
- Delivery of toddler play sessions at Platt Hall.
- Delivery of sessions for babies and families at Manchester Art Gallery.
- Supporting the delivery of Creative Families holiday programme.
- Maintaining and monitoring the children’s gallery and resources.
- Administrative support for the small team.
We’re the local council for one of the UK’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Working for Manchester isn’t just a job - it’s an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it’s strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you’ll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Our Manchester Is Our Vision For a Fairer, Greener, And Healthier City - a Vision Shaped By The People Of Manchester. It Guides Everything We Do At The Council And Is Brought To Life Through The Our Manchester Behaviours
- We take time to listen and understand
- We work together and trust each other
- We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
- We ‘own it’ and we’re not afraid to try new things
- We’re proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits We Offer
- Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
- A buzzing pension - You’ll be enrolled in the UK’s largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
- Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
- Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
- Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
- A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
- Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council
At Manchester City Council, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.
Support During the Process
- Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
- Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme
Requirements
We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:
- Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
- Current or former care leavers
- Have a disability or long-term condition
When You Join Us
We’re a Disability Confident Employer, Offering
- A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
- Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
- A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email
[email protected].
What we will need from you if you’re successful
In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.
Pre-Employment Checks
Required
If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you’ve applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:
- Proof of Right to Work: You’ll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK. Please note, visa sponsorship is not guaranteed for this role.
- References: We’ll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
- Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
- Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check: A criminal record check may be necessary, depending on the role.
- Proof of Manchester Residency: For some roles, you may need to demonstrate that you reside within the boundaries of Manchester City Council.
- Police Vetting: Some roles may require police vetting to ensure suitability for accessing sensitive law enforcement systems or information.
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) Clearance: BPSS clearance is primarily used for roles that involve access to government data, systems, or assets. It ensures that individuals meet basic security requirements and can be trusted with sensitive information
- Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we’ll need evidence of your valid driving licence.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.
Other Relevant Information
We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we’ll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.
For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.
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