activities that keep children active, engaged and having fun?
Lazer Lions provides holiday camps, after-school clubs, birthday parties and children’s activities across Surrey and South West London.
We are looking for an experienced children’s activity professional to lead activity quality, staff recruitment, practical training and safeguarding across our organisation.
The right person will be equally comfortable leading an energetic group activity, coaching a member of staff, interviewing a potential camp manager and responding appropriately to a safeguarding concern.
This is not just a desk-based recruitment or compliance position. Strong practical activity leadership and previous safeguarding experience are both essential.
The role
During term time, you will normally lead one after-school club on four weekdays. Each club involves just over an hour of activity delivery on site, together with preparation and local travel.
You will use these sessions to:
- Remain practised in the activities you are training others to deliver.
- Create and test imaginative new games.
- Demonstrate excellent activity leadership to staff.
- Provide practical, on-the-job coaching and feedback.
- Help staff learn how to keep children active, engaged and included.
Our activities include laser tag, Nerf games, dodgeball, archery, zorbing, team challenges, circus skills and much more. You do not need to be an expert in every activity, but you must be energetic, creative and confident learning and teaching new activities.
During school holidays, your focus will move towards our camps. You will visit sites, support and assess camp managers, observe staff and ensure children receive consistently safe, active and enjoyable experiences.
Administrative work can largely be completed from home.
Main responsibilitiesActivity quality and staff development
- Create and develop exciting games and activity ideas.
- Personally deliver high-quality activities for children.
- Adapt activities for different ages, abilities and group sizes.
- Train staff through demonstrations, practical sessions and on-the-job coaching.
- Observe activity leaders and camp managers and provide constructive feedback.
- Develop training resources and clear activity-delivery standards.
- Help staff become more creative, confident and effective activity leaders.
Recruitment and management
- Recruit activity leaders, party staff and camp managers.
- Identify candidates with the energy, personality and judgement required to work with children.
- Screen applications, conduct interviews and support staff onboarding.
- Complete references, right-to-work checks, DBS administration and other safer-recruitment requirements.
- Support, coach and develop camp managers across multiple locations.
Safeguarding
- Act as Lazer Lions’ Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Respond appropriately to safeguarding and child-welfare concerns.
- Maintain clear, accurate and confidential safeguarding records.
- Escalate concerns and make referrals to relevant agencies when required.
- Provide safeguarding advice and support to camp managers and activity leaders.
- Deliver safeguarding training and ensure staff understand their responsibilities.
- Maintain and review safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Ensure appropriate safeguarding practices are consistently followed across all sites.
- Liaise with schools, parents, local authorities and external agencies where necessary.
You will work alongside an experienced Operations Manager who supports equipment, site preparation and logistics.
What we are looking forEssential
- Substantial recent experience personally leading activities for groups of children.
- The creativity to turn simple ideas and equipment into exciting, engaging games.
- The energy, confidence and presence to lead groups effectively.
- Previous practical experience managing safeguarding concerns involving children.
- Experience recording, reporting and escalating safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Experience training, supervising or developing activity staff.
- Strong communication, organisation and professional judgement.
- A practical, hands-on approach to management.
- Availability throughout the school holidays.
- A full UK driving licence and reliable access to a vehicle.
- Residence within reasonable travelling distance of our locations.
Highly desirable
- Previous experience as a Designated Safeguarding Lead or Deputy DSL.
- Current DSL or advanced safeguarding training.
- Experience as a Camp Manager, Activity Manager, Area Manager, senior coach or similar.
- Experience within holiday camps, schools, childcare, sport or youth activities.
- Knowledge of Early Years or Ofsted-registered provision.
- Experience overseeing staff across multiple sites.
Up-to-date DSL training can be arranged, but applicants must already have meaningful practical safeguarding experience.
Applicants whose backgrounds are primarily in office-based recruitment, HR or safeguarding administration are unlikely to be suitable unless they also have strong recent experience personally delivering children’s activities.
Working pattern
The standard working week is 37.5 hours.
There is flexibility around some administrative working hours because term time is generally quieter and school holidays are considerably busier and more site-based. Occasional early starts or later finishes may be required.
Regular local travel across East Surrey, Kingston, Richmond and surrounding areas is an essential part of the role.
Safeguarding statement
Lazer Lions is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work checks and an Enhanced DBS check, including the Children’s Barred List.
How to apply
Please submit your CV with a short covering note explaining:
- Your experience leading children’s activities.
- An example of an activity or game you have created or developed.
- Your experience training or managing staff.
- Your previous practical safeguarding experience.
- Whether you have previously worked as a DSL or Deputy DSL.
Please do not include confidential information or details that could identify an individual child.
Pay: £36,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Surbiton KT6 4AL
