Job description
Working as part of a team, the Visit Officer is responsible for visiting allocated childcare services contracted in the Early Year's programmes and ensuring that these services are complying with rules and standards set out and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
In relation to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), the Visit Officer will be operating in a regulatory environment checking adherence to the relevant legislation supporting the scheme. Compliance checks under NCS will be conducted as "reviews" under the Childcare Support Act 2018, with the Visit Officer being appointed as an "Authorised Officer" in order to conduct such checks. This appointment bestows additional powers on the Visit Officer as outlined in the Act.
The Visit Officer will liaise effectively with colleagues in the compliance section and occasionally across the Directorate to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of all activities.
Key Responsibility Areas
Support and Services
Plan and carry out unannounced compliance visits/inspections of early years services as allocated (by Compliance Administrator) to meet agreed targets and timescales as set out by Compliance Managers.- Record all issues identified during the course of the compliance visit/inspection and ensure the accuracy of same.
- For ECCE and CCSP, assign a categorisation to the childcare services based on the relevant findings.
- Under NCS, conduct a "review" of a series of legislative requirements and conduct contractual checks and determine if the service is "compliant" or "non-compliant" for each.
- On an ongoing basis, ensure completed compliance forms are submitted to the relevant ICT system, and finalised for review by the Compliance Reviewers.
- Conduct follow up visits where required to ensure the appropriate steps have been actioned by the service provider to rectify certain non-compliance issues identified.
- Liaise closely with the Compliance Reviewer and provide explanations/ confirmations where required.
- Liaise closely with Compliance Managers, escalating matters as appropriate, and informing them of any significant/ongoing issues identified arising from compliance results in a timely manner.
- Assist in the preparation of reports and complete any follow up actions arising from visits/inspections undertaken.
- Assist with responses to queries submitted through the compliance queries mailbox and the Service Provider Centre, as necessary.
- Engage in the formal NCS appeals process by providing requested information and explanations in a timely basis.
General
Assist in implementing, developing and maintaining efficient and effective systems including the use of the Programme Implementation Platform (PIP), Early Years Platform (EYP) and SharePoint systems.- Attendance and proactive participation at Compliance Team meetings.
- Required to undertake a omprehensive training programme which focuses on both the technical elements and generic inspection skills relating to the role.
- Participate in ongoing training, practice development and upskilling to reflect any changes to the childcare schemes including NCS.
- Assist in the preparation and updating of internal procedures documents for use by Visit Officers during visits.
- Assist in the identification and reporting of issues of risk.
- Contribute to the innovation and continuous improvement of the Compliance Section in the CAR Directorate.
- May be required to provide administrative supports for periods e.g. collate relevant data and produce regular reports
Required Qualifications/ Experience
Educational attainment to Level 8 qualification, and a minimum of two years of relevant experience.- Administration work experience/knowledge
- Strong organisational skills and a proven ability to work to deadlines
- Proficient in MS packages (e.g. Excel, Word and Outlook)
- Knowledge of workings of the community/voluntary/public sector
- Knowledge of Government Accounting Regulations
- Prior exposure to the Early Years sector
- Full driving licence and provision of car for business purposes
- Note that a high degree of flexibility is required and there may be an occasional requirement for some overnight visits.
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