Senior Playwork Practitioner – Out of School Care
Insafe Hands Childcare are looking for a caring, confident and enthusiastic Senior Playwork Practitioner to join our team.
We are looking for someone who can help us provide a safe, happy and welcoming environment where children can relax, have fun and enjoy a wide range of activities and child-led play.
This is a senior role with responsibility for helping to run our after-school and holiday club sessions, supervising and supporting Playworkers, communicating with parents and ensuring relevant information is passed to management.
About the role
As Senior Playwork Practitioner, you will take an active role in the day-to-day running of the service while providing high-quality care and play opportunities for children.
You will lead by example, support colleagues and help ensure that our policies, procedures, paperwork and daily routines are consistently followed.
You will build positive relationships with children, families and staff and help create an inclusive environment that reflects children's individual abilities, interests, needs, language and cultural backgrounds.
Hours
Approximately:
- 18.5 hours per week during term time
- Monday to Friday, 2:45pm–6:00pm during term time
- 24 hours per week during holiday club periods, normally worked over 3 full days
- Availability is required for school holiday periods and other school closure days
- Additional hours may also be available within our breakfast club
Key responsibilities
- Assist with and take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of sessions
- Supervise, support and delegate tasks to Playworkers
- Provide a safe, secure, caring and welcoming environment for children
- Support child-led play and ensure a varied range of indoor and outdoor activities and experiences are available
- Ensure staff have appropriate time to complete their Keyworker responsibilities, including Learning Journals and observations
- Ensure relevant paperwork is completed accurately and kept up to date, including Personal Plans, medication forms, behaviour management plans, risk assessments and contact information
- Complete and oversee daily checks and risk assessments
- Communicate effectively with parents and pass relevant information to management
- Ensure Personal Plans are reviewed and updated and changes in children's circumstances are appropriately recorded
- Support holiday club planning, including activities, daily plans and risk assessments
- Promote inclusion and respond appropriately to children's individual and diverse needs
- Support children's emotional and social wellbeing and promote positive behaviour
- Encourage positive relationships and co-operative play
- Follow safeguarding and child protection procedures at all times
- Provide accurate feedback and reports to parents and other professionals when required
- Attend parent meetings alongside management when required
- Follow Health & Safety requirements, policies and procedures
- Participate in meetings, training and continuing professional development
- Undertake housekeeping and other duties required for the safe and effective running of the service
The role requires strong organisation and oversight of records, including medication paperwork, Personal Plans, risk assessments and other documentation.
Essential requirements
- SVQ Level 7 in Children and Young People, or an equivalent relevant qualification
- SSSC registration, or willingness to register if not already registered
- PVG membership, or willingness to apply
- Good understanding of GIRFEC and how to apply it in practice
- Good knowledge of the Health and Social Care Standards
- Understanding of safeguarding, child protection and confidentiality
- Ability to supervise and support other staff
- Confidence completing paperwork and maintaining accurate records
We are looking for someone who
- Is warm, reliable, approachable and enthusiastic
- Enjoys working with children and understands the importance of play
- Is confident taking responsibility and supporting a team
- Can delegate appropriately while also being a positive role model
- Uses initiative and remains organised during busy sessions
- Communicates confidently with children, parents, colleagues and management
- Understands the importance of inclusion and responding to children's individual needs
- Is committed to safeguarding and providing high-quality care
- Is committed to their own learning and continuing professional development
Ongoing learning and CPD are an important part of the role and of maintaining professional SSSC registration.
If you are passionate about providing high-quality out-of-school care, we would love to hear from you.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £12.91 per hour
Education:
- Certificate of Higher Education (required)
Work Location: In person
