Children in Nature

Location: West Faversham Community Centre, ME13 7RH (with activities also at local parks and community sites)

Reports to: Director of Community

Hours: 36 hours per week (including term time and school holidays; occasional early evenings and weekends as required)

Contract: Full-time, permanent

About the Bumble Bees Project

The Bumble Bees Project is a community-led initiative that helps children and families connect with nature, develop healthy lifestyles, and build stronger communities. Inspired by the hardworking and nurturing spirit of bumble bees, the project promotes curiosity, teamwork, and environmental care.

Working with children and families—particularly those experiencing or at risk of poverty—the programme delivers:

• Holiday and After School Clubs: Nature-based learning, gardening, cooking, outdoor play, and animal care.
• Cooking for the Family: Fun, healthy cooking sessions for parents and children.
• Crawly Club: Nature exploration and biodiversity education.
• STEM and Outdoor Learning: Practical, hands-on learning that links science, the environment, and sustainability.

Role Purpose

The Bumble Bees Project Lead is responsible for leading and coordinating the Bumble Bees Project, combining educational delivery with project management. The postholder will design and deliver inspiring nature- and health-based learning experiences, manage staff and volunteers, and ensure that children and families thrive in a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment.

Safeguarding is central to this role. The Project Lead will uphold the highest standards of child protection, ensuring that all activities prioritise the welfare, dignity, and safety of every child.

Key Responsibilities

Programme Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the planning, coordination, and delivery of all Bumble Bees activities, ensuring they are safe, engaging, and inclusive.
• Deliver educational sessions focused on nature, gardening, animal care, healthy cooking, and STEM-based learning.
• Oversee the daily operations of the holiday club, after school club, and family sessions.
• Support children in growing, preparing, and cooking food to promote healthy, sustainable living.
• Maintain continuity of learning across school holidays and term time activities.

Safeguarding

• Take a lead role in safeguarding practice across all Bumble Bees programmes, promoting a culture where child welfare is everyone's responsibility.
• Ensure all safeguarding and child protection policies are implemented, understood, and consistently followed by staff and volunteers within the project.
• Act as a Deputy DSL, within the safeguarding team, supporting the DSL to ensure a culture of safeguarding is living in the organisation.
• Ensure that all environments—indoors and outdoors—are physically and emotionally safe for children.
• Promote a child-centred approach, ensuring that children's voices are heard and respected in all aspects of programme design and delivery.

Team & Volunteer Management

• Supervise, support, and motivate a team of childcare workers, facilitators, and volunteers.
• Coordinate staff rotas and ensure adequate cover across all sessions.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and opportunities for staff development, with regular safeguarding supervision.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and trauma-informed team culture.

Community & Family Engagement

• Build strong relationships with children, parents, and schools to encourage participation and engagement.
• Ensure accessibility for families experiencing disadvantage and provide appropriate support or signposting.
• Act as a key point of contact for parents and carers, maintaining excellent communication and trust.
• Work closely with local agencies and partners to ensure joined-up support for children and families when safeguarding concerns arise.

Programme Development

• Lead the development of outdoor learning spaces, vegetable gardens, and animal care areas.
• Work closely with the Community Chef and other staff to integrate healthy eating and food education.
• Develop and expand the project's STEM, sustainability, and outdoor learning opportunities.
• Identify new partnerships and opportunities to grow the project's reach and impact.

Monitoring, Safeguarding & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health & safety, and food hygiene policies.
• Maintain accurate records of attendance, incidents, and child progress, ensuring all safeguarding documentation is handled confidentially and securely.
• Collect and report data on outcomes for funders, trustees, and senior leaders.
• Manage budgets, materials, and funding responsibly.

Person Specification

Essential

• Proven experience leading or managing community, youth, or family-focused projects.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection, with experience responding appropriately to concerns or disclosures.
• Experience delivering educational, childcare, or nature-based programmes.
• Ability to plan and lead creative, inclusive sessions for children.
• Strong leadership, organisational, and communication skills.
• Passion for nature, healthy living, and community development.
• Understanding of the challenges faced by families experiencing poverty.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and promoting child welfare.

Desirable

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) training or willingness to undertake it.
• Qualification in childcare, youth work, community development, or project management.
• Experience in outdoor learning, environmental education, or food-growing projects.
• First Aid, Food Hygiene, or relevant safety certificates (or willingness to obtain).
• Knowledge of Faversham's local community and context.

What We Offer

• A full-time position leading a creative, nature-inspired community project supporting over 60 young people and families each year.
• A supportive, inclusive, and safeguarding-focused team environment.
• Ongoing professional development in safeguarding, youth work, outdoor learning, and leadership.
• The opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on children, families, and the environment.
• Free gym membership

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From £27,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person