Mentor

KidSTART Singapore Ltd. (KSL) was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG) under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in Sep 2020 to implement the KidSTART programme nationwide. The KidSTART programme provides upstream support to children from low-income families in the areas of early childhood development, health and social support.

Description of Department

You will be part of KSL’s Capability Development Department, tasked to enhance the knowledge, skills and practices of KidSTART practitioners. This involves designing, developing and executing training, mentoring, competency and practice quality frameworks and providing professional guidance for Lead Practitioners and Practitioners, as well as overseeing best practices. The Unit ensures that Lead Practitioners have the required competencies to guide their teams and will facilitate platforms to sustain the competencies of Team Leads. The Unit will also ensure curriculum and practice are implemented with fidelity.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for facilitating and building the competencies of Lead Practitioners and Practitioners. As a KidSTART Senior Mentor/Mentor, you will undertake the following roles:

• Spearhead training and mentoring frameworks and oversee the development, planning and implementation of training, curriculum and practice delivery by:

1. Conducting training
2. Supporting the coordination of training programmes to upskill Practitioners in a timely manner
3. Procuring suitable training providers
4. Conducting regular reviews of the frameworks through consultations with internal and external stakeholders including Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), training institutes, MDT teams and seeking clearance from management on proposed approaches

• Coach Lead Practitioners/Practitioners on the delivery of the KidSTART programme and curriculum to families. This includes accompanying Practitioners for home visits
• Conduct practice reviews to enhance Practitioners’ capability to deliver positive outcomes for children and families by:

1. Observing and sharing with Practitioners on ways to build their knowledge and deepen practices with children and families
2. Providing the support required to upskill and maintain Practitioners’ competencies
3. Developing Practitioners’ professional confidence
4. Providing supportive feedback, formulate, review and achieve learning goals with Practitioners
5. Documenting observations and feedback provided, and aggregating these to inform competency needs and implementation barriers

• Carry out reflective practice with Team Leads/Practitioners by:

1. Strengthening Practitioners’ skills of reflective practice and self-directed learning
2. Conducting individual and group reflective practice sessions
3. Facilitating platforms to share best practices and discuss complex cases

• Enhance curriculum delivery by undertaking the planning, development and review of training, curriculum and practice manuals and resources
• Work with Programme Development to develop the training roadmap and professional development plans for KidSTART practitioners. This involves working closely with internal teams, relevant agencies and IHLs

Competencies

You should have:

• A degree in Early Childhood, Social Work, counselling or other relevant disciplines
• At least ten (10) years’ relevant experience in the early childhood, health or social service sectors
• Experience engaging families and knowledge of issues faced by low-income families and their children
• Experience in planning, curating and reviewing training or other relevant programmes
• Experience in adult learning and creating environments to support learning
• Experience in mentoring or supervising and leading teams
• Good facilitation or reflective practice skills for individual and group practice sessions
• Strong interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build good rapport with and influence different levels of stakeholders
• Good planning and problem-solving skills and a big picture perspective on issues
• Ability to be agile to changes and work well in a fast-paced and dynamic environment