Play Worker

• Role: Play Worker
  Length: 6 months
  Location: London
  Type: Permanent
  
  Castlehaven Community Association are urgently seeking an experienced and qualified play worker (NVQ level 2 or higher) required for their Haven After School Club, 8 – 12 years. The post is for 6 months cover for 15 hours a week: 3.30 – 6.30pm Monday to Friday term time and extra hours during school holidays.
  
  Main objectives of post (Play worker):
  
  - To be part of a staff team that provides positive experiences designed to reduce those factors associated with youth crime to the most at risk children in the area.
  - To work with children to ensure that a high quality, age appropriate, play and care service is provided.
  - To work in partnership with children, young people and their families to ensure that a high quality, responsive to needs, play and care service is provided.
  - To work as part of various teams, within the policies and procedures set down by Castlehaven Community Association.
  Reporting to
  JYIP Manager
  
  Duties and responsibilities:
  
  Play and Care Practice
  - To provide safe, high quality, leisure, play and care services that respond to the age, gender, ability and cultural needs of the children using the service, assuring adherence to statutory requirements for play work and good practice standards.
  - To organise a range of activities appropriate to the different needs of the children using the service.
  - To participate a play programme in conjunction with children, parents and colleagues.
  - To interact with and relate to the children in a positive and supportive manner ensuring children’s participation in the running of the project.
  - To develop new and innovative ideas on working with children, which incorporate the views, opinions and the participation of the children.
  - To be part of a team that works in partnership with schools advocating school attendance and supporting children with their homework.
  - To act in accordance with policies and procedures on child protection, ensuring appropriate confidentiality.
  - To operate within the Castlehaven Community Association ‘Procedures Manual’ and requirements as set down by the management committee.
  
  The Team
  - To work as part of a team.
  - To communicate and share information with colleagues on individual children, programming and the day-to-day running of the play project.
  - To adhere to Castlehaven Community Association’s personnel and management procedures.
  - To attend staff meetings as required
  - To attend planning and or case meetings as required
  - To attend training courses as required.
  - To work within an agreed work programme, adhering to priorities and timetables.
  
  Other relevant matters
  - To keep up to date on professional development and childcare/play practice.
  - To have a flexible and responsive attitude to changing working arrangements and service structure.
  - To be committed to, and to implement, Equal Opportunities in all areas of work.
  - To undertake any other appropriate and reasonable activities as required by your line manager.
  - To work at various locations as service needs require.
  - Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.
  
  Person Specification:
  - A recognised qualification in Play/ Childcare Work, Social Work or other related field.
  - An experience of networking & working with professionals in other, related fields.
  - A proven ability to engage positively with Children who have challenging behaviour patterns and attitudes.
  - Experience of Play or community work in a crime diversion/social exclusion setting.
  - Experience of work with Children from a variety of ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds.
  - An ability to follow Play work interventions.
  - An understanding of the diverse needs of socially excluded Children.
  - Ability to work of your own initiative to an agreed action plan.
  - Ability to organise your own work routines effectively with a minimum of supervision and support.
  - Ability and willingness to engage in teamwork with staff at all levels from other agencies.
  - Good verbal and written communication and the ability to write accurate reports.
  - Willingness to further your own skills through professional development and training.
  - To be non-judgmental and be approachable.
  
  Please note:
  - This post will involve after school and evening and weekend work.
  - The successful candidate will be police checked to ensure their suitability to work with young people.
  
  Contact:
  
  Please email Dawn for more information or to express interest in this opportunity.
  Email: Dawn@castlehaven.org.uk
  Contact number: 0207 692 2293
  
  The closing date for applications is 26th January 2012. Interviews will be held on 31st January 2012.
  
  We are advertising this role free of charge on behalf of the above organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you are interested in applying. Why are we advertising this for free? As part of Backstop’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, we are committed to helping organisations who work with individuals vulnerable to involvement in the UK criminal justice system. We do this by helping to put them in touch with people like you.

  • Job ID: P1759
  • Third Sector / Charity
  • North-West London