We have an excellent opportunity for a Playworker to work up to 22 hours per week at this wonderful Children’s charity based in St Johns Wood.

Hours
As a Playworker, your core hours of work will be 2.30pm to 6.5pm, Monday to Friday, with flexibility to do additional hours during school holidays. Please only apply if you are happy, willing and able to do these hours.

The Organisation
The premises were opened in 1957 and is managed by a committed group of volunteers and parents with a dedicated Board of Trustees. Our client is open year-round for children aged 5-12, including full Easter and Summer holiday programs. They have a number of exciting structures and activities, including the American Swing, Zip line, sports and indoor play facilities and is gated and staffed at all times.

The Role of Playworker
You will be responsible for providing interesting and stimulating activities, both indoor and outdoors, within a safe environment. It is essential you have good communication skills to liaise with management, parents, colleagues and the children.

The main responsibilities as Playworker will include:

Playground Programme
• Encouraging inclusive adventurous play
• Supporting and leading paly activities
• Encouraging physical coordination through natural play, outdoor games and climbing structures
• Ensuring the site creates a stimulating and safe environment
• Looking out for the educational, social, emotional and physical development of the children and reporting any issues to the Senior Playworker and/or management
• Encouraging the children to have fun, develop their confidence and to show caring behaviour to others
• Assisting with organising the play areas, materials and equipment
• Helping with activities and events including arts, crafts, sports and games
• Ensuring the children are safe at all times

Communication
• Ensuring relationships with co-workers, children, families and the Trustees is professional and
approachable at all times.
• In conjunction with the team assisting with appropriate play programmes
• Participate in meetings and bringing issues to the attention of the Senior Playworker

Safety
• Providing an effective response to incidents / emergencies, observing safety procedures regarding
PPE and adherence to COSHH and Risk Assessments
• Complying with the Environmental Protection Act with regards to litter and keeping the play area
tidy at all times
• Ensuring Health and Safety policies are adhered to at all times

The Person
To be successful for the role of Playworker, you must have these skills and attributes:

• Experience from within a similar role at a children’s play facility/project
• A minimum of NVQ 2 in Playwork or a similar qualification
• Can use and supervise the use of play equipment
• Knowledge of safeguarding policies
• Able to deliver the highest standards of care
• Can manage time and competing priorities and resources
• Is able to present information in a calm and effective way
• Confident when dealing with situations and in conflict resolution
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Recognises diversity
• Has a good understanding of how your own behaviour impacts on others
• Takes responsibility for own actions

Contractual Requirements

• Ability to work flexible hours and to attend occasional out of hours events
• Relevant pre-employment checks including DBS clearance is essential

Rewards
For the role of Playworker there is a salary on offer of circa £9ph to £10ph (£16,500 to £18,200 per annum, pro rata) depending on experience and qualifications.

How to Apply
Please note that eRecruitSmart is a Recruitment Agent and not a direct employer. Your CV will be sent to the Hiring Manager at the company who is responsible for the vacancy that you have applied to. Please only apply if you consent to these terms.

You must have eligibility to work in the UK. Please note, only suitable applicants will be contacted. If your address and contact details are not on your CV, you will not be considered.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Charity, children, playworker, ofsted