Jesters Kids Club Staff Development & Training Policy 

Staff are Jesters most valuable resource, as it is only through their commitment and effort that good quality provision can be both established and maintained. We are therefore committed to providing good training and development opportunities for staff so that they are able to perform their roles both efficiently and effectively.

We recognise that regular training and monitoring of professional development is important for all staff. Staff development and training is vital because it allows staff to keep up to date with current thinking and practice about both play and child development issues. Additionally, well-trained and motivated staff, a club is better able to meet the diverse and complex needs of children within its local community.

We are committed to providing for staff:

 A full induction process.

 A regular system of appraisals.

 An up to date record of staff qualifications and training.

This will help to ensure that staff development needs are being met and that staff training and qualifications are meeting the requirements of the club and the National Standards.

Staff Inductions
New members of staff will be issued with a job description and a copy of Jester’s policies and procedures. Staff will also undergo an induction process during the first month of their employment and be assigned a buddy to help them settle in.

As part of the induction, the buddy will discuss and talk through everyday practices of the Club. These will include:

 Showing new staff around the premises, pointing out all fire exits, toilets and areas such as the staff room, kitchen and Club office.

 Explaining staff shifts, breaks and all aspects of the day-to-day management and running of the Club.

 Introducing the new member of staff to their colleagues, children and parents/carers where appropriate.

 Pointing out the practical implications of the Club’s policies and practices, including how they relate to the Club’s obligations under the National Standards.
 
Staff Appraisal and supervision
The main objective of the appraisal and supervision system is to review employees’ performance and potential, and to identify suitable and appropriate training and development needs.

Appraisals will take the form of annual meetings between staff and the Team Manager or Director. They will be used to identify current knowledge, skills, areas for future development and potential training needs.

Supervisions will take the form of regular monthly discussions between staff and the Team Manager, and will be an opportunity for reflecting on recent professional progress, as well as the targets set, and issues raised, during appraisals.

The appraisal and supervision process will be used to build up a Personal Development Plan (see below) for each member of staff.

Staff Meetings
There will be monthly staff meetings for problem solving, information sharing and acknowledging work issues. These are also opportunities for staff to reflect on their work performance and review any difficulties they may be facing. Staff meetings will be a forum for setting objectives for the Club and other work areas.

Personal Development Planning
Personal Development Planning is a continuous process to ensure that staff needs are both identified and acted upon as they arise. It is the joint responsibility of both the member of staff and the Director and Team Leader to ensure that the plan is kept up to date and that all decisions are followed through.

Specific training courses in Food Hygiene, Equal Opportunities, Child Protection, Special Educational Needs, Data Protection and Health and Safety are obligatory and staff members must always attend such courses when requested. It is the Team Manager’s responsibility to ensure that staff are kept up-to-date with recent legislation and are suitably enrolled on any courses that are necessary to fulfil the Club’s legal responsibilities.

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Jesters Kids Clubs, Main Road, Bicknacre, Essex, 
Main Office Tel: 01245 222384