Overview
We are looking for a warm, supportive Leader with great organisational and communication skills for our fantastic Play & Learn Hub programme for children with Down Syndrome, aged 5-11 years.
Pay: Range between £18-20 per hour, to accommodate background, skills, professional qualifications, and experience.
Hours: 3.25 hours per week; 31 weeks per year (during term time only), to cover:
2.25 hours at the group each week (approximately 2-4pm on Saturday afternoons)
10 hours per term on other listed activities, to be worked flexibly
Location: Groups take place at Applecroft Primary School, Welwyn Garden City. Remaining hours to be worked from home.
Start date: September 2026
Play & Learn Hub programme
Play & Learn Hub provides a welcoming, friendly, and engaging space for children with Down Syndrome aged 5–11 to:
- Socialise and make friends
- Build confidence and independence
- Explore play-based, creative and physical activities
- Take part in themed sessions, games, crafts, role play and movement activities
Parents and carers are responsible for their children during sessions and so are required to remain in the room to support with any toileting or behavioural needs. Parents therefore have the opportunity to chat and connect, whilst their children engage in the structured Stay and Play activities.
In addition to the Leader, the delivery team includes four Support Workers and may also include volunteers.
Play & Learn Hub Leader role
The Leader is responsible for planning, delivering and overseeing the weekly Stay and Play session and ensuring families feel welcome, supported and included. The Leader will report to the Operations Manager.
Specific responsibilities:
- Work with the Operations Manager to plan term dates and provide information as required to enable the Operations team to set up and manage bookings on Eventbrite.
- Line manage Support Workers and any Volunteers ensuring they understand their roles and responsibilities in each session.
- Plan and lead fun, engaging weekly activities based on the Early Years Foundation Stage goals suitable for children aged 5–11, using a weekly theme where possible.
- Create a mix of structured activities (games, crafts, physical play, singing, team activities) and free play opportunities so that children have a variety of engaging options to choose from.
- Ensure all activities are inclusive and adapted for children with a range of abilities.
- Set up the session space each week before families arrive and ensure resources and equipment are tidied away at the end.
- Welcome families, creating a warm and safe environment.
- Provide support and guidance to parents and carers where needed, and note any queries that require follow-up.
- Build positive relationships with the children, encouraging participation and supporting them to develop social and play skills. ● Communicate with parents in advance of sessions regarding themes, visitors or any other relevant information.
- Maintain the attendance register on Google Drive and keep on top of required admin tasks linked to the Play & Learn Hub programme.
- Take weekly photos (according to permissions) and provide them to the Operations team for use on social media.
- Work with the Operations team to arrange visits from professionals and other services, and communicate these to parents at the start of each term.
- Ensure activities and resources are safe, appropriate and in good condition.
- Identify when resources need replacing and submit requests to the Operations Manager.
- Liaise with the venue as required (eg venue hire bookings, maintenance, parking).
- Issue feedback forms to families at the end of each term and chase responses as needed.
- Gather feedback and observations data to contribute to reports for grant funders. ● Share information with parents and carers about DS Achieve services/updates and other useful services, as needed
- Maintain the tea, coffee and biscuit/snack supplies.
- Follow policies and procedures around confidentiality, data protection, safeguarding and Health & Safety requirements (incl. risk assessments)
- Keep the Operations Manager up-to-date and highlight any issues arising.
Requirements:
- Experience of working with children in the early years or 5-11.
- Experience of working with disabled children and their families.
- Enhanced DBS check.
- Safeguarding trained at minimum level 1 (or willing to undertake training at level 1).
- Good IT skills (GoogleDrive, Google Docs/Sheets).
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Excellent soft skills - friendly and welcoming, good listener, good facilitator, happy to ‘pitch in’, able to deal with incidents should any occur e.g. first aid
Desirable, but not essential:
- First Aid trained (this will be provided if needed)
- Experience of working with children with Down Syndrome and their families
- Makaton sign language skills
Please note that successful candidates will be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks prior to appointment.
Pay: £18.00-£20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Health & wellbeing programme
Application question(s):
- Are you available to work on Saturday afternoons during term time?
- Do you have experience of working with children in the early years or ages 5-11?
Experience:
- working with children with SEND: 1 year (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
