Finchley Foodbank
Information and Support Team Leader
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Line Manager: Foodbank Manager
Hours of Work
Part time - 12 hours per week to include:
- Client sessions - 6 hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays 11:00am to 2 pm
- Home based - 6 hours
Location
Hybrid - At the foodbank during client sessions, working from home
Rate of Pay
£18 per hour
Contract
Fixed term for an initial period of 12 months with a 1 month probation period.
Holidays
5.6 weeks including any public/bank holidays (pro rata). Finchley Foodbank is open on some bank holidays, time off can be taken in lieu of those dates by arrangement.
About Finchley Foodbank
Finchley Foodbank was founded in February 2013 as an ecumenical Project of St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in East Finchley with other local churches and organisations to provide emergency food and support to local people. In September 2022 the Foodbank became an independent charity.
The foodbank is located at St Mary’s Parish Hall, 279 High Road, London N2 8HG.
Our aims are the relief of financial hardship amongst people in the London Borough of Barnet by providing:
- emergency food, essential toiletries, and household items to individuals and families in need and/or for distribution by charities or other organisations working to prevent or relieve poverty
- such other means, including (but not limited to) the provision of support or signposting to relevant information and other advisory services
Purpose of the Role
The postholder will provide foodbank clients with a high-quality information and support service (but NOT advice). The postholder will manage a team of volunteers aiming to reduce clients’ dependency on the Foodbank.
Key Responsibilities
The Information and Support Team Leader will be line managed by the Foodbank Manager and will work with the Foodbank Co-ordinator, the Foodbank Management Group and volunteers. The postholder will lead on the following tasks.
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1. Provide appropriate information and signpost foodbank clients to available support
- Act as the first point of contact about information on available support for clients at foodbank sessions, by phone and email
- Talk to foodbank clients, listening carefully to their challenges, explain what support is available to them locally and nationally
- Follow-up with clients the steps they have undertaken to get help in person, by phone and email as necessary
- Work alongside organisations providing support to clients e.g. Green Doctors
- Work collaboratively with the Foodbank Manager and others to identify clients who may benefit from seeing the Barnet Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) advisor
- Refer clients to appropriate support organisations e.g. for energy or employment advice
- Ensure the Safeguarding policy and procedure is adhered to if the need arises
- Keep accurate records of support discussed with clients and follow up as necessary
- Produce impact reports of support given
2. Lead the Information and Support Team
- Recruit volunteers to the Information and Support Team
- Ensure volunteers undertake appropriate training
- Manage Information and Support Team rota ensuring that sessions are covered
- Ensure volunteers are kept up to date via whatsapp, email etc
3. Research and maintain relevant support information
- Ensure that foodbank support and signposting information is kept up to date
- Work closely with local support agencies and organisations to understand their services and how and when to refer clients to them
4. Other duties
- Liaise with and book support organisations to attend client sessions
- Attend relevant training where required or useful
- Occasional visits to local support agencies / organisations
- Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role as requested
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This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described, and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Finchley Foodbank Management Group. Out of agreed working hours may be required at times. N.B. The post holder will have regular opportunities to work with all Management Group members to support your emotional wellbeing.
Person Specification - Essential
Experience
- Working, volunteering, or studying either within the advice services, or community sector
Skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and the understanding to work with a wide range of organisations and people including those in crisis in a tactful and diplomatic way, maintaining clear boundaries
- Good written communication skills
- Good IT skills e.g. Google docs, sheets etc
- Good organisational skills with high level of attention to detail
Abilities
- Ability to cope with the demands of a busy service and respond to emergency situations with a calm and capable manner
- Ability to work autonomously and on own initiative
Knowledge and Understanding
- Understanding of the situations and barriers faced by individuals supported by Finchley Foodbank
- Understanding of safeguarding issues and willingness to have a DBS check
Personal Qualities
- Commitment to the aims of Finchley Foodbank, including a belief in the importance of all people of different backgrounds working together and respecting and valuing each other's contributions
- Strong commitment to Equality and Diversity
Person Specification - Desirable
- Knowledge of local information, advice and support services available
- Understanding of General Data Protection Regulations
- Knowledge of one of the most common languages (in addition to English) used by our clients e.g. Arabic, Farsi, Polish, Ukrainian
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