Senior Playworker
Location: DASH, Dobcroft School, Millhouses, Sheffield
Contract: Term time plus 10 school holidays days
Hours: 27 contact hours, plus admin hours as agreed. Contact hours, 7.30-9.00am, 3.00-6.00 / 6.30 Mon-Fri
Salary: 21,000 per annum actual salary, £15.81 per hour
Start date: September 2026
About us
DASH is a child-centered, inclusive play setting offering after-school and holiday club provision for children aged 3-11years. We believe that play helps to build confidence, creativity, and community. Our team is warm, skilled, and committed to safeguarding and high-quality practice.
The role
We’re looking for a Senior Playworker to lead day-to-day delivery of our play provision, ensuring a safe, fun, and stimulating environment. You’ll supervise a small team, champion children’s rights to play, and model best practice in inclusive, child-led activities. This role involves working with children aged 3-11years.
Key responsibilities
- Lead safe, inclusive, and engaging play sessions aligned with our playwork principles.
- Supervise, support, and coach Playworkers and volunteers; lead briefings and debriefs.
- Plan, resource, and evaluate sessions, including risk–benefit assessments.
- Build positive relationships with children, families, and partners; manage daily communications.
- Uphold safeguarding, health and safety, and behaviour policies; act as DSL deputy (or similar) if required.
- Monitor attendance, incidents, and outcomes; complete reports and maintain accurate records.
- Contribute to staff rotas, inductions, and ongoing training; support recruitment when needed.
- Ensure the environment (indoor/outdoor) is well-organised, inclusive, and culturally responsive.
- Support holiday Club requiring full day hours of work.
- Promote equality, diversity, and children’s participation in decision-making.
About you
- Experienced playworker with a child-led approach and strong behaviour support skills.
- Confident team leader who can coach others and manage busy sessions calmly.
- Knowledgeable about safeguarding, inclusion, and risk–benefit in play.
- Organised communicator with good record-keeping and IT basics.
- Reflective practitioner who uses feedback, observation, and data to improve practice.
Essential criteria
- Recent experience in out-of-school, adventure playground, or community play settings.
- Strong understanding of Playwork Principles and children’s rights to play.
- Safeguarding training and first aid (or willingness to obtain promptly).
- Right to work in the UK and enhanced DBS (or willing to undergo).
Desirable
- Level 3+ qualification in Early years
- Team-leading/supervisory experience and training.
- SEN/inclusion experience (e.g., supporting neurodivergent children, adaptive play).
- Food hygiene certificate, paediatric first aid, and behaviour support training.
What we offer
- A supportive, values-led team and regular reflective practice.
- Funded CPD and clear progression pathways.
- Well-resourced indoor/outdoor spaces with scope to shape the programme.
- Pension
How to apply
Send your CV and a short cover letter explaining your suitability for the role to [email protected] with the subject “Senior Playworker Application
Interviews will be held on 9th July 2026 We may close early if we receive strong applications.
DASH is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Offers are subject to references and an enhanced DBS. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are an equal opportunities employer.
Pay: £15.81 per hour
Benefits:
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
