Is anyone here a NCT Parent Service Administrator?

[TheHouseofMirth]

There's a vacancy in my area and as it's a fairly new thing I wondered if anyone here was already doing the job and if so, what it's like?

Anyone?

No but I have dealings with our local one. They seem to get a lot of stick from the specialist workers. They are a real piggy in the middle between head office and the workers on the ground and relations are not good!

Mind you, there are not many jobs that you can do so flexibly on a positive note.

It seems odd that they are advertising it at between 30 and 85 hours a month with a salary of between £400 and £500...I know it's paid per booking rather than per hour but if I end up spending hours on the phone getting grief from ante natal teachers then I'm wondering how the pay will aveage out.

IngridFletcher do you mind me asking what your dealings with them are?

I am a trainee specialist worker.

I think you have hit the nail on the head when you say it is paid per booking. So it will depend on how booked up the area is as to level of pay. I know some areas are struggling to run courses at the moment due to lack of bookings. Also factor in how many enquiries there are per confirmed booking.

The NCT is losing money so it making cutbacks. The specialist workers have not had pay rises for ages, their expenses are being cut, they are having changes made to their contracts. I have to say some of the changes that the PSA system has brought about are really positive.

Most flack from specialist workers would be over email, if that makes it any better! The realtionship between PSA and workers really varies from area to area.

yes, I am one and have been one for nearly 2 years.

It is fantastically flexible which i have found really good. The comments about keeping the peace/being a go between depend on the personalities involved. I am open and honest with my specialist workers and have a great working relationship with them dispite the changes that head office impose which they don't always understand. I love working with them they are interesting and committed people.
As for the salary i will try and explain:
each month you get told how much money will be in your pay packet at the end of the month eg £285 and you will also be told how many hours you are expected to work for that money eg Min 21 hours and Max 50 hours. You are expected to keep a time sheet to prove this.

The amount of money is calculated by averageing the number of bookings per day over the last 3 months and multiplying it by £8 and then by the number of days in the month you are being paid for.

The minimum number of hours is the amount you will be paid divided by the top hourly rate on the pay band (£13.30ish). The maximum hours is the amount you will be paid divided by the minimum wage (currently £5.70).

If you go over your hours your pay is topped up at the minimum wage rate, although you are asked to keep an eye on your hours and ask for help if you think you are going to go over. I have only gone over my hours once in the last two years and then only by about 3 hrs.

I really enjoy my job, like everything it has downs as well as ups but over all I love it!

If you have any questions ask away

HTH

Claire

Thanks Claire, I think I understand!

I'd have the reverse problem to you - too many parents-to-be, not enough places on courses. I wonder if I would get frustrated at having no control over increasing supply to match the demand?

There are ways of advertising for teachers to come in and teach for you, this works well if you can work out what you need in front of the rest of us.. so your vacancies for course in November are among the first ones out.. if you have demand then over time you should be able to increase supply and therefore your income.

Just wondering if you're around cmt1375? I've got an interview next Tuesday and would like to pick your brains if possible!

Hi there ladies. Just wondered if you got this job in the end as im just applying for one at the moment and wondered how you found it. The pay sounds a bit complicated. Just wondering what hours of the day you work to fulfil the role as I will be looking to fit it around my young daughter. Any further infor would be great. Thanks in advance

Hi are any of you still working as a PSA? Can you give me any information on how the pay/hours work as I am interested in applying. Thanks