Early Help Programme Officers..

[PileOfBooks]

Ive seen a job advert for these (alongside support workers) and was curious if anyone has done this role and what it is like in Early Help.?

[Cakeandslippers]

I haven't done this job but early help is such a broad area it could be anything! Early help is one of those terms that popped up a few years ago and everyone jumped on the bandwagon so the services vary massively by area. Can I assume this role is with a local authority? Does the job description not make it clear, and if not could you contact the person named on the advert for a chat? I normally find that quite helpful.

[PileOfBooks]

I was thinking of doing that tomorrow. Its a bit more specific but didnt want to out the advert! I was more curious around people's experience - whether it was very draining/overworked/underfunded/usual story like in social work and what it was like day to day (again I guess that varies depending on role.)

I want to ask newby questions without jepordising a chance at the job! I have found some documents online around this but want to be a bit clearer before I ask questions so wondered if people on here could help!

A bit like people asking about going into teaching (broad) get a fair bit of feedback on here! (I used to be one!)

[PileOfBooks]

Teacher training courses certainly don't portray what teaching is actually like... 🤣

[Scarby9]

What was concealed from you during your teacher training, and how did they manage to conceal it from you while you were on placement in school?

[PileOfBooks]

Sorry I wasn't clear - I meant to potential applicants. Many teachers leave during training and many more after. I think many people dont realise what teaching is actually like (hence why the regular threads on here asking what it's like. Which I think are quite a helpful balance.)

[Cakeandslippers]

@PileOfBooks

I was thinking of doing that tomorrow. Its a bit more specific but didnt want to out the advert! I was more curious around people's experience - whether it was very draining/overworked/underfunded/usual story like in social work and what it was like day to day (again I guess that varies depending on role.)

I want to ask newby questions without jepordising a chance at the job! I have found some documents online around this but want to be a bit clearer before I ask questions so wondered if people on here could help!

A bit like people asking about going into teaching (broad) get a fair bit of feedback on here! (I used to be one!)

I'd argue that if asking those questions jepodises your chances then you don't want the job really. At the end of the day you want to make sure it's the right job for you as well as you being the right person. I know it's hard to ask about things like work life balance but I've always found responses to those things quite telling. If that's the sort of thing you are thinking about I'd ask about flexible working and training opportunities etc.

[Cakeandslippers]

Also it will almost certainly be underfunded as all services are these days

[PileOfBooks]

Thankyou. I have managed to chat to them and they sound fantastic! The role isn't quite what I thought it was - but sounds interesting. Some of my experience matches and some of it doesn't so I will put an application in over the weekend and have a look.

[Cakeandslippers]

Good luck!