Smart Play Network is a dynamic, forward thinking play organisation and charity supporting and delivering a range of play services in Scotland.
Play Rangers are our dedicated staff and volunteers encouraging children to play out in their own streets and parks. We facilitate play outside in local communities by providing resources and ideas to encourage exciting, active and socially bonding play opportunities for 5 to 13 year olds
SENIOR PLAY RANGER, 7 hours per week (Fridays) Fixed Term to 31.03.2027. Potential extension to March 2028 subject to funding.
Are you a fun and enthusiastic individual who enjoys working as part of a high energy team? Are you passionate about making a positive impact on communities and families and understand the importance of access to safe, local outdoor play opportunities for children? Then this may be the job for you.
Our Play Rangers team facilitate free, child-led sessions in community outdoor spaces, encouraging children to decide what they want to do from the range of resources that we bring with us in our Play Ranger van to the natural resources available in the outdoors.
We are not a childcare service, but offer parents reassurance and children an environment where they can feel comfortable to join in, utilise their local community spaces, meet new people and have fun.
As the lead member of the Play Rangers team you will be responsible for the planning, development and delivery of our weekly outdoor play sessions for children and young people in the Bingham and Magdalene areas of Edinburgh.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential criteria
- Experience delivering outdoor play session for children and young people
- Experience working with children and young people with different backgrounds, ages and abilities.
- An understanding of the principles of play and the role of adults.
- Ability to think creatively about delivering ‘Free Play’ sessions and obtaining resources.
- Awareness of Safeguarding Guidelines and relevant legislation.
- Excellent communication skills with children and adults.
- A commitment to partnership working.
- Good team worker and ability to use own initiative.
- Administration skills: social media awareness, keeping records, logs, policy implementation.
- A heightened awareness of Health and Safety issues and Risk Assessment (dynamic).
- Experience of reporting and evaluation, including writing reports.
- Full UK driving license and confident driver. Must be confident to drive company van.
- Commitment to the success and sustainability of the project.
- Experience in project planning and delivery.
- Experience of recruiting and managing volunteers.
- Experience in supervising staff.
- Willingness to work in all weathers
Highly advantageous criteria
- SVQ 3 Play Work / Youth Work or relevant qualification.
- Basic First Aid (training can be given).
- Knowledge of local area.
- Experience of consultation techniques with children.
- Ability to advocate for children’s rights and promote participation in decision making.
- Experience of working with children with additional support needs.
KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILIITES
- Provide outdoor play opportunities for children and their families all year round.
- Facilitate freely chosen and self-directed play opportunities.
- Encourage children to help plan and choose the kinds of activities that they would like to do.
- Supervise children at all times making sure that safety procedures are followed conforming to our Safeguarding, Health & Safety and any other relevant policies completing any appropriate reports such as accident / incident forms.
- Encourage good behaviour and deal with any challenging behaviour in accordance with the projects policies and procedures.
- Maintain a register of attendees at sessions for evaluation and safeguarding use.
- Ensure non-discriminatory practices at all times – in line with the Equal Opportunities policy.
- Preparation and clearing up of activities / areas.
- Contribute to joint working and partnership working ensuring positive relationships in the community.
- To liaise and work with parents, carers, professionals and partnership agencies.
- Service planning, development and delivery.
- Data collection and analysis of evaluation methods with support of line management.
- Writing of reports for funders and take part in performance review meetings.
- Day to day supervision of the Play Ranger, and any volunteers.
- Drive the SPN van, carrying out regular checks and reporting any faults, accidents and general condition of the van.
- Recruit and induct volunteers and sessional staff where needed.
Having the right mind-set, attitude and approach is as important for us as having the right experience and skills.
We appreciate that the best person might not have all the criteria we have listed, so if you feel your experience and skills will help you to make a great contribution in this role and you have the right mind-set, we would welcome an application from you.
If you would like an informal chat about the Play Practitioner role please email us at [email protected] and we will organise a phone call.
How to Apply: Please submit your CV, ensuring that it demonstrates how you meet the criteria
Interviews will take place on a first come basis throughout August.
Pay: £14.17 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
