Recruitment

EDUCATION WORKERS

Introduction to WMQPEP for Prospective Project Education Workers

What is WMQPEP?

The West Midlands Quaker Peace Education Project is over 20 years old and is sponsored by local Quakers.  The work of the Project is co-ordinated by its manager, Sara Hagel, and supported by the Administrator, Laura Liebich.  Since 1994 the work in schools has been undertaken by a team of freelance education workers. The Manager is responsible for the recruitment, training and appraisal of Project workers among other things.

What does WMQPEP do?

WMQPEP works  in schools, predominantly, at present, with Primary Schools. We work directly with pupils as well as training the adults who work with children.

Examples of work undertaken include:-

• staff training in circle time development;
• staff training in conflict resolution approaches
• staff training in developing positive relationships;
• pupil workshops on development of self-esteem, affirmation, co-operation, communication, problem solving and anger management;
• pupil workshops on conflict resolution, peer mediation and peer mentoring;
• development of teaching materials to support student participation in National Curriculum Citizenship lessons.

Whole school approaches are actively encouraged as is the development of circle time and peer mediation schemes which can be continued after our work has been completed.  Folders of materials are provided for school staff to sustain the work once our workers have left their school.  An annual delegate conference is organised for peer mediators from primary schools where we have worked in the West Midlands.

The Project also occasionally undertakes work, within the curriculum, on issues of war and peace and international peacemaking.  A small book box to support this aspect of the work is available.

How do schools become involved?

• Schools contact the Project for a variety of reasons and often as a result of recommendations of colleagues who have worked with the Project.  The manager will visit to ascertain the needs of the school and to try to advise on how the Project may be able to help.
• As the Project is offering a professional service, charges are made to the school, but when the school cannot afford the full cost, an application may be made to the WMQPEP Project Fund or help with fundraising will be given.  Decisions in relation to applications to the Project Fund are made by a sub-group of the Steering Group.
• Once an assessment of the school’s needs has been made, the manager will seek to find people from amongst the group of education workers to undertake the work.  She is assisted in this by a sub-group of the steering committee.  Where more than one worker is needed, one person will be designated team leader.
• The manager will arrange contracts both with the school and with the education workers.
• The team leader for the project will liaise with the school to make more detailed plans for the work to be undertaken.

How do I become a WMQPEP Education Worker?

• Having made contact with WMQPEP, the manager will wish to meet you to ensure that you have a suitable background in education or other relevant profession (e.g. social work, counselling, psychotherapy) and that you have an understanding of the kind of work the Project undertakes.  You will be asked to fill in a simple application form and to provide the names of two referees. 
• As a potential education worker, you will be in training until the manager is sure that you have sufficient experience of the Project’s work.  During this training time the Project will not be able to pay you any fees but will pay travel expenses at 45p per mile.
• As well as attending small group induction training sessions, you will be given opportunities to work alongside experienced project workers in schools.  The manager will consult with team leaders about your progress and will arrange meetings with you to further your professional development within the team.
• As well as specific induction training and working alongside more experienced people, you will have the opportunity to attend training events.  These provide opportunities for team members to share their skills and experience and for you to try out activities in a safe and supportive environment.  Working co-operatively as a team is an important aspect of the Project’s work and makes a significant contribution to the high quality of professional input that we offer our clients.
• There is no need for you to be a Quaker; we have Quakers and non-Quakers on the team.
• All new education workers will have substantial access to children and will need to complete an application to the Criminal Records Bureau for an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate.  The Project Manager will provide details and will act as a local verifier of your identity.  There is a charge for this if you intend to receive payment for your QPEP work.  It is free for volunteers.
• NB.  As the work the Project undertakes is ad hoc, according to request of schools, the Project cannot guarantee you work at any time.  You will probably not wish to rely on it as your main source of income.

Working for WMQPEP

When the manager is sure that you have sufficient experience to work for WMQPEP you may be offered a task in a school as part of a team.  This could be a single training event or workshop or an ongoing programme of work over a longer period of time.

The numbers of WMQPEP trainers in a team depends on the numbers of clients in the school e.g. one class usually requires one trainer, but schools will sometimes want two or three classes to undertake training simultaneously;  staff groups can be of different sizes, ranging from two or three to over fifty.

WMQPEP education workers are paid at the rate of £245 per day rising to £275 for those acting as team leaders or trainers of education workers.  This fee includes all preparation time and expenses.  Any project worker who does not wish to receive a fee can donate it to the Project’s Fund to help pay for future work in schools in deprived areas.

The manager will be in touch with the team during long-term projects to offer support.

 Resources

• WMQPEP has a resource library from which books, puppets, CDs, koosh balls and other materials may be borrowed.  The normal period is one month but longer loans can be negotiated if appropriate notice is given.
• Project workers contribute to files of materials that have been devised when working on projects in schools.  These can be photocopied and master copies are kept in the library for the use of all project workers.
• Any materials devised specifically for WMQPEP workshops or courses are copyright to the Project and must be acknowledged when used elsewhere.
• The resource library is open during office hours.  It is best to telephone before travelling some distance to visit it.

To download an application form, follow the link below:

 files/Application form for education workers(2).doc

Revised by Laura Liebich, Project Administrator
May 2009