Okay, help me become a Children's Centre Manager

[newlifenewname]

Some of you offered me help and support when I last applied for a job a couple of weeks ago. I didn't get an interview even and was up against 20 applicants.

Now, I really need to get a job because I can't rely on self employment as a newly single mother and I've just discovered that my Income Support is going to stop because of maintenance payments I'm receiving through the CSA.

I've been really worried and upset since Friday afternoon so I'm going to try for another job which is as the title says.

Would ANYBODY be willing to give me a big helping hand with this? I think I have a good personal statement, etc. which will have to be tailored to the new person spec (last job app. was for a related position) and I have some good experience but my CV is a bit pot holey as I've missed the boat rather on the career front in the past.

Anyway, anyone?

You need to acquaint your self with every child matters and the birth to three matters framwork as well as the origings and purpose of sure start.

Thanks twinset, I was involved heavily with the consultation on and start up of a Children's Centre pilot in Cumbria so I'm pretty familiar with relevant stuff but definitely one for some revision.

My huge, huge problem is that I'm really good at what I do, have excellent insight and problem solving skills, and have been told by consultation group for the Cumbria CC that I'd be perfect as manager but I applied back then for the manager post and although I was given an interview I didn't get the post. The woman who did was shite and I tore her to shreds at the consultation feedback session (to the steering group and local council) and my colleagues were shaking their heads in dismay at the injustice. It sounds awful saying this about myself but it is true and it REALLY frustrates me.

Why do I not get these jobs? I think it is because I don't have a lot of on paper management experience, although I've run my own business for over a year now.

I ll help you if you want to work in a childrens centre i know about thre policies and procedures thay offer training and if yor not working you can take NVQ courses free whilst working which they call working towards

Have you had an informal chat about the position? Is there a contact to ring? Write down some questions you want to ask beforehand (hope mumsnetters can help here). What you are told could be really helpful when it comes to filling in the form.

If you don't want to reveal who you are to your contact on the phone, give a false name/change some of your background details. This can be useful if you want to ask some probling questions that could put the contact on the spot.

Also, don't do what I did recently. I applied for a public sector comms job and my application was rejected even before it got to the panel for initial consideration. Why? because of one spell check error ('Exeter' became 'Exert') and the lack of line spacing between two paragraphs. These two errors were picked up in my 4 page reply to the person spec and my application was discarded.

Our borough is opening over 20 new early years centres, but I don't know enough about the surestart programme to give much useful advice. I know the programme is linked to community regeneration and 'creating sustainable communities'.