Play Worker

After School Club Playworker

Job Title: After-school Club Playworker

Responsible to: Play Leader / Room Lead

Purpose of the job: To assist with the planning, day-to-day organisation and operation of the club, providing high quality play opportunities and care for children in an inclusive environment, and in accordance with the ethos of the school(s) attended by the children.

Main Duties

Overarching

1. To assist with the provision of care and creative play opportunities in consultation with children, and in accordance with Playwork Principles and relevant childcare legislation.

Working in the club room

2. To deputise for the Play Leader / Room Lead when required.

3. To support the Play Leader / Room Lead in ensuring that the club is a safe environment for all, that equipment is well-maintained, standards of hygiene are high, safety procedures are implemented and risk assessments, fire drills/evacuation procedures are carried out effectively. This also applies to trips and other off-site activities.

4. To work as part of the staff team, contribute to the promotion of the club.

Working with children

5. To ensure that the club’s Safeguarding Children policy and procedures are followed at all times, and that concerns are raised in accordance with these.

6. To assist the playleader in ensuring that children’s individual needs are recognised, and engaging them in establishing and maintaining boundaries for their behaviour.

7. To assist with the handover/collection of children to/from other areas of the school, where applicable, and ensure their safe handover to parents/carers at the end of the day.

8. To prepare food and drink that promotes healthy eating, and complies with current school food guidelines and food safety legislation.

9. To administer first aid and medication as appropriate.

Compliancy

10. To keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff which is acquired as part of the job.

11. To ensure that the company Safeguarding Children policy and procedures are followed at all times, and that concerns are raised in accordance with these.

12. To assist with day to day administration and record keeping.

13. To participate in playwork and other relevant training and development activities, including local networking opportunities for out-of-school childcare providers.

14. To maintain constructive relationships and communicate with parents/carers, other professionals, and childcare/play-related agencies including the county council’s Community Childcare and play Development staff.

15. To work within agreed policies and procedures, and undertake other duties, appropriate to the grade, as may reasonably be required by the playleader.

16. You have specific responsibilities under Health & Safety legislation to ensure that you take reasonable care for your own health and safety, and that of others affected by what you do, or do not do.

17. Co-operate on all issues involving health and safety

18. Use work items provided for you correctly, in accordance with training and instructions and not to interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health, safety or welfare

19. Report any health and safety concerns to your manager as soon as practicable.

SELECTION CRITERIA

After-school Club Playworker

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA

Educational achievements, qualifications, training and knowledge:

• Willingness to obtain minimum Level 2 qualification in Playwork (defined as full and relevant by the Teaching Agency to work in an early years setting)
• Current appropriate first aid certificate or evidence of commitment to achieve this
• Knowledge of Oxfordshire’s procedures for safeguarding children
• Good standard of basic spoken and written English

Experience:

• Experience of working with children in a paid or unpaid capacity
• Experience of working as part of a team

Job related aptitude and skills for this post:

• Ability to communicate effectively with children and adults
• Ability to put knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and Ofsted Childcare Register requirements into practice in the club
• Ability to use initiative, within framework of policies and procedures
• A commitment to high quality inclusive childcare and play
• Ability to attend work regularly and on time

Personal qualities:

• A positive approach to learning and gaining new skills through teamwork and training opportunities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality

Special requirements:

• Satisfactory enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure
• Ability to occasionally attend meetings/events outside normal hours of work for this post.

Physical:

• Ability to move equipment/small items of furniture when setting-up/clearing play area.

Equal opportunities:

• Commitment to, and understanding of, the principles of equal opportunities for all, in employment and the delivery of services.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA

Educational achievements, qualifications, training and knowledge:

• Training in safeguarding children, food safety/hygiene and playwork.

Experience:

• Experience of working with disabled children.
• Experience of managing challenging behaviour in work with child.

Terms and conditions

Hours: 6-15 per week

38 weeks per year

(Terms will follow the European School’s school year).

Grade: 5

Salary range: £10.85 to £12.71 per hour pro rata depending on qualifications and experience.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and requires a criminal records check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.

Pay: £10.85-£12.71 per hour

Expected hours: 6.0 – 15.0 per week

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Childcare
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person