charity shop assistant - ageuk.org.uk web viewthe definition is wide. ... particularly word and...

Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven

Charity Shop Assistant

Application Pack

Human Resources DepartmentAugust 2017

Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven is a local independent charitable organisation and part of the Age UK Brand Partnership. Our organisation has been providing services and support to people aged 50 and over in the Lincoln City and surrounding areas for over 55 years, ensuring that they get the most from life.

Our vision and mission statement drive everything we do.

Our vision

A world in which older people flourish.

Our mission

To improve lives of older people. Our values underpin our work:

We enable people to live independently and exercise choice.

We ensure that the older person’s voice is heard.

We are innovative, results driven and constantly deliver for older people.

We care for the individual.

We are authoritative, trusted and quality-orientated.

If you are motivated by our values, vision and mission statement, want to be part of a fast growing, forward thinking and friendly organisation please read on.

Page 1 of 17Application Pack – Charity Shop Assistant

Guidance Notes for Applicants

Please read these notes carefully before completing the application form. It is important that you take your time to fill in the application form as fully and as accurately as possible as applications are scored based on the evidence you provide on how you meet the Person Specification. The decision to invite you for interview is based on the information given on the application form; additional evidence such as a letter will support your application form. Curriculum Vitae’s will not be considered unless specifically invited to supply.

The Job Description The job description details what sort of duties you would be expected to carry out Ask yourself why you are interested in the job Would it be a good career move – perhaps to broaden your general work experience or

to support the sort of work you might want to undertake as a career

The Person Specification The person specification will list the skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience

required. You should provide evidence that you have these on your application form Explaining your present and previous jobs to someone else may help to uncover “hidden”

skills, that you take for granted Consider any relevant experience you have acquired outside work such as community /

voluntary / leisure interests/care for family

General Points Please complete all parts of the application form in type or use black ink so that when we photocopy the form it is clear and legible. If you type the form, please use a font size no less than 11. Application forms that cannot be read will not be considered.

The Application Pack contains a Job Description and a Person Specification. The Job Description lists the duties/main tasks of the post and the Person Specification lists the knowledge, skills and experience and qualifications needed.

We recommend completing a rough draft first to avoid mistakes and repetitions. This also gives you the opportunity to ensure that your form is well organised and relevant.

You should also keep a copy of your completed application form for your own records.

Personal details Please give your full name, address, postcode, email address and telephone numbers.

Declaration and AccuracyBy signing the application form, you declare that the answers you have given are full, true and accurate and in no way misleading.

This is particularly important. If we discover after employing you that the answers you gave were inaccurate or misleading in any way, you may be liable to dismissal on the grounds of gross misconduct. Disability

We ask that you advise us if you are living with a disability.


The definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 is as follows:

A person (P) has a disability if— (a) P has a physical or mental impairment, and (b) the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on P's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

In this context, ‘long-term’ means lasting, or likely to last, more than one year.

The definition is wide. If you are unsure whether or not you are disabled you may wish to take legal and or medical advice. Free advice can sometimes be obtained from your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

You are not legally obliged to tell us if you think you are suffering from a disability but, if you do not do so, we will assume that you are not.

If you are selected for interview, do we need to make any reasonable adjustments for your visit to our offices? Please notify the office before attending.

Education History, further qualifications and trainingPlease give full details of your educational qualifications starting with the most recent. Include all qualifications that you have gained both part time and full time. Tell us of all related courses you have attended and maybe received a qualification in.

Career Details If you are currently employed, please provide full details of your main duties and responsibilities, when you started in your current employment and your reasons for leaving.

Previous Employment Please give details of your previous employment, starting with the most recent. Any gaps in your employment will need to be explained and understood by the interview panel.

Information in support of your application This is a very important part of your application form as it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate why you are suitable for the post. Before completing it please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.

Give examples to show how or what you have done to meet each of the criteria on the Person specification. Be specific about your skills and specify your own responsibilities; demonstrate a particular skill rather than just saying you have it. For example, if the Person Specification asks you to demonstrate an ability to recruit volunteers, you may want to describe what methods/processes you have used to do this, at what level and with what success.

Please name and number any additional sheets. Please do not add more than two sides of A4 to the application form.

References Please give the names, addresses and contact details of two referees. One should be your current or most recent employer and the other a personal reference from someone who knows you well but who is not a family member. Please indicate whether either referee maybe contacted prior to interview should you be selected.


If you are unable to provide us references in accordance with these requirements for whatever reason, please discuss this with us first.

Send the Form Back on Time Send your completed form to the address as specified on the application form and/letter If there is a date/time by which you must return the form, please make sure you send it so

that it is received on time

If you are unsure of anything, contact us. Our contact details can be found within the application form.


Job Description

Job Title: Charity Shop Assistant

Location: 421 Newark Road, Lincoln, LN6 8RR

Hours of work: 22 Hours per week

Responsible to: Charity Shop Manager

Responsible for: Volunteers and premises

Job Purpose: To support the Charity Shop Manager to manage an Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven charity shop, ensuring efficient and effective management of volunteers, premises and stock. Providing a high quality retail service, whilst achieving sales targets. To ensure that all appropriate standards of security and health and safety are met.

Main Tasks:

To be the responsible person when the manager is not on site. To assist with maximising shop income and achieving sales targets. To ensure that the shop premises are safe, clean and tidy at all times

and that goods are displayed in an attractive and presentable manner. To act as key holder; to open and close the shop for agreed trading

hours and ensure the premises are secure on leaving. To respond to emergency call out if and when necessary. To assist with recruiting, training, retention, support and supervise the

work of the volunteers in the charity shop, encouraging an active interest in the shop and the work of Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven.

To assist and be responsible for the team of volunteers including performance reviews, liaising with them concerning presentation, volunteer rotas etc. as directed by Shop Manager.

Support the Shop Manager to ensure that the shop is adequately staffed at all times, coordinating cover for sickness, holiday and other absences by establishing appropriate rotas, where necessary.

To assist in generation of stock donations to meet sales requirements; ensuring efficient acceptance, sorting, pricing and display in accordance with Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven’s guidelines.

To assist with the responsibility for stock control, including disposal of unsold donations at the best possible return.

To travel when necessary, attending relevant training courses, to collect donations and travel to Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven other sites as and when required.

To promote the charity shop and assist with enhancing the image of Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven.


To ensure all queries about Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven’s services are signposted to the relevant department or head office, and that information and literature held at the shop is current and up to date.

To establish and maintain good relations with the public, trade councils, landlords and neighbouring retailers.

To assist with the development of a programme of themed seasonal window displays.

To facilitate and attend outreach events, e.g. Park Street celebration days, where a shop stall can be displayed to generate sales.

To ensure that all Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven administrative and financial procedures are adhered to and followed including banking, cash register reconciliation, weekly returns and volunteer supervision records.

To assist with maximising Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven fundraising and marketing opportunities, including Age UK insurance products and services.

To work closely with the Shop Manager to ensure that any problems in the shop are resolved quickly and effectively.

In the absence of the Shop Manager, attend relevant meetings with management and be responsible for cascading information to the team as appropriate.

To ensure that staff and volunteers are aware of and comply with Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven policies and procedures in particular Health and Safety, such as manual handling. The role requires a degree of manual handling in sorting and lifting stock, responsibility of the post holder to ensure all of the team fully comply with procedures.

To ensure statutory and organisational responsibilities are met concerning all regulations including but not restricted to Fire Safety, Health & Safety, and Employment Law.

Any other duties which are consistent with the duties and responsibilities of the post with a focus on generating unrestricted income for the benefit of older people living in Lincoln and North and South Kesteven.


Person SpecificationE EssentialD DesirableA Application FormI Interview

EXPERIENCE Characteristic E D AssessmentEvidence of working in a face to face customer focused environment.

√ A/I

Evidence of experience in retail and charity shop environment, with experience of pricing, selling and merchandising donated goods.

√ A/I

Evidence of leadership skills. Managing, developing and supporting staff and volunteers.

√ A/I

Evidence of developing partnership working with external and internal organisations.

√ A/I

KNOWLEDGECharacteristic E D AssessmentUnderstanding and appreciation of the needs of older people and persons at risk

√ A/I

An excellent communicator with proven ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and liaise with people at all levels and from a variety of cultural backgrounds

√ A/I

Knowledge of Health and Safety. √ A/IAbility to think creatively in a retail environment. √ A/IAwareness of the functions of Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven’s services and support

√ A/I

PERSONAL QUALITIESCharacteristic E D AssessmentWell-presented and business like √ IEnthusiastic, energetic, passionate, hands on and outgoing with ambition, drive and desire to succeed

√ A/I

Ability to work effectively as part of a team, offering encouragement and support with the initiative to work alone when required

√ A/I

Willing to accept instruction and responsibility √ A/IExcellent organiser, proactive and a good time keeper √ A/IGood local knowledge of services for older people √ A/I

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS


Characteristic E D AssessmentGood standard of general education, including GCSE (or equivalent) grade C or higher in English and Maths

√ A/I

Evidence of training and ongoing development √ A/IKnowledge of IT systems, particularly Word and Excel √ A/I

OTHER REQUIREMENTSCharacteristic E D AssessmentFull driving licence with access to own vehicle √Satisfactory Enhanced DBS check √

Conditions of Employment Receipt by us of two satisfactory references. (One reference must be a

professional reference from your last employer. Neither referee may be related to you).

Receipt of proof of your right to work in the UK. A satisfactory enhanced certificate issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Probationary PeriodThis post is subject to a six month probationary period.

Driving Licence & Car Documents You must provide your driving licence, valid car insurance stating business use and a valid MOT certificate (where applicable).


APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENTPRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

When completing the form, please type or write clearly using black ball-point ink.

Return this form to: Human Resources DepartmentAge UK Lincoln & Kesteven36 Park StreetLincoln, LN1 1UQE- [email protected]

Position applied for: CHARITY SHOP ASSISTANT

TITLE: FORENAME(S) SURNAME

ADDRESS

POSTCODE

TELEPHONE:HOME

MOBILE

EMAIL:

Declaration (Please read carefully before signing this application)

1.

2.

3.

I confirm that the information contained in this application is complete and correct and that any untrue or misleading information will give my employer the right to terminate any employment contract offered.

I agree that this information will be retained in my personnel file during employment and for up to six years thereafter and understand that information will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act. If my application is unsuccessful my details will be destroyed after six months.

I agree that the organisation may apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for an Enhanced Disclosure if the position requires it and to previous employers for references.

Signed: Dated:


How did you hear about this vacancy?

EDUCATION HISTORYIncluding Schools/Colleges attended (Please complete in full with the most recent first)

FROM(Date)

TO(Date)

SCHOOL/COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY SUBJECT GRADE/QUALIFICATION DATE

Evidence of IT Skills

IT Package used Detail of how you used the IT package What impact did it have


Provide details of any further qualifications obtained and/or training attended, including dates.

DATE SUBJECT TRAINING PROVIDER

PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT(Starting with most recent, explaining any gaps in employment)

DATESFROM/TO(Most recent first, explain any gaps in employment)

JOB TITLE

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACTIVITIES

COMPANY, ADDRESS & CONTACT NUMBER

REASON FOR LEAVING

(Please expand boxes or continue on additional sheets if necessary)

CAREER DETAILSPage 11 of 17

Application Pack – Charity Shop Assistant

Please give details of your current or most recent position together with contact details and telephone numbers.

JOB TITLEEMPLOYERADDRESS & TELEPHONE No

POST CODEEMPLOYED FROM EMPLOYED TOCURRENT SALARY NOTICE PERIODREASON FOR LEAVING (if applicable)

Brief description of main responsibilities/ activities

INFORMATION IN SUPPORT OF YOUR APPLICATION


Please detail here how you meet the requirements of the person specification, particularly how you feel you can demonstrate the values of our organisation, and your reasons for applying for this position. This is the part of the application form where you can bring to our attention any qualities you believe we should be aware of. Please continue on a separate sheet if necessary (max. two sheets)


REFERENCES

Please note here the names and addresses of two referees who can provide information relating to your competency for this role, one of whom must be your present or most recent employer. A character or work referee should not be from the same company as information given for Reference 1, a relative or friend.

REFERENCE 1 : CURRENT OR MOST RECENT EMPLOYERNAME

POSITION

ADDRESS

POSTCODE:

TELEPHONE NUMBER: EMAIL

May we contact this person prior to interview? YES / NO

REFERENCE 2 : CHARACTER OR WORK REFERENCE(Not to be from the same company as Reference 1)NAME

POSITION

ADDRESS

POSTCODE:

TELEPHONE NUMBER: EMAIL

May we contact this person prior to interview? YES / NO


FURTHER INFORMATION

Are you related to any Board or staff member of Age UK Lincoln & Kesteven? If yes, please give details Yes/No

Do you require a work permit to work in the UK? Yes/No

Do you have a current full driving licence? Yes/No

Does your car insurance include Class 1 business insurance? Yes/No

Do you have access to your own vehicle? Yes/No

The Equality Act 2010 (Disability Discrimination Act 1995) has defined disability as follows; “A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”

Under these terms do you consider yourself to have a disability?

This will not have a detrimental effect on your application

Yes/No

STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

CAUTIONS, REHABILITATION AND CRIMINAL RECORDS

Because of the nature of the work for which you are applying, you must provide information about any convictions. Our power to require this lies in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 which removes the normal operation of the Act in relation to specific occupations, including the provision of Home Services. In the event of being employed in connection with this application, any failure to disclose such convictions could result in dismissal or disciplinary action.

If you have no convictions please write NONE ............................................

If you do have any previous or outstanding convictions, details of the type of offence, date, sentence, fine etc. should be placed in a separate, sealed envelope which will subsequently be returned to you. It will only be opened if you are considered for the appointment. Such information will be completely confidential to the appointing panel.

This section should be deleted for posts not exempted by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975


In accordance with its equal opportunities statement, we will provide equal opportunities to all employees and job applicants and will not discriminate either directly or indirectly on the grounds of race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age.

If you are selected for interview do we need to make any reasonable adjustments for your visit to our offices?

Yes No

If reasonable adjustments are required please notify the office before attending with further information on your requirements

Completed application and paperwork to be returned to the following address:

HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENTAge UK Lincoln & Kesteven

36 Park StreetLincoln LN1 1UQ

Tel: 01522 696000 or email [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]