Playworker

**Are you looking for a new challenge working with disabled children, young people and adults? Do you want to work for a friendly and supportive local charity? We have some exciting opportunities for new Playworkers to join our team**

**Saturday afternoons - **3.75 hours fortnightly (1.00pm to 4.45pm). Working at a family session for disabled children, young people and adults, their siblings and parents.

**Tuesday evenings - **2 hours per week, (or 2 hours fortnightly as a job share), (6.00pm to 8.00pm) to provide one-to-one support at our Junior Club session for an eleven year old child, enabling them to play and safely join in with activities.

**Friday evenings - **3 hours fortnightly (6.15pm to 9.15pm). Working at our Friday Club session for disabled young adults aged 18 plus.

There will also be the opportunity for extra casual hours working at our evening and weekend sessions and holiday playschemes for disabled children, young people and adults.

**JOB DESCRIPTION- PLAYWORKER**

Rate of Pay: £9.75 per hour

Responsible to: Session Leader and Service Manager

Main purpose of job

To work with disabled children and young people at a range of sessions that run during school holidays, and during evenings and weekends. To assist in the planning, organisation and delivery of these sessions.

Duties and key responsibilities
1. To work with the staff team, under the direction of the Session Leader, to plan, organise and deliver socially inclusive activities for disabled children and young people.
2. To work closely with disabled children, young people and their families, encouraging their participation in Our Space activities.
3. To support and stimulate interest in the children and young people attending so that they are able to enjoy and participate fully in Our Space activities. To adapt activities where necessary to ensure accessibility to all involved.
4. To work as part of the team initiating programmed activities, alongside additional opportunities including sports, arts and crafts, games and trips out.
5. To ensure that all children and young people are made to feel valued, are provided with opportunities to develop and improve their self-esteem and self-confidence, and have positive experiences.
6. To contribute to a working culture that recognises, respects and values individual differences.
7. To assist members, when required, with personal care.
8. To work as part of a team consisting of staff and volunteers, to form positive, professional relationships with children and young people and their parents/carers, and to cooperate with the management team and Board of Directors.
9. To attend necessary training sessions and take responsibility for personal and professional development.
10. To adhere to, and implement, Our Space policies and ensure working practices stay within organisational procedures.
11. To supervise the environment to ensure physical, emotional and personal safety for all children and young people attending. This includes keeping records of any accidents or injuries that may occur.
12. To assist in the setting up of sessions and the packing away at the end of sessions, leaving the premises clean and tidy.
13. To attend and actively participate in staff team meetings.
14. To undertake, at the discretion of the Session Leader or Service Manager, other duties which may arise from time to time.
15. To support the Board of Directors and other Our Space staff with fundraising activities.

**Person specification**

**Education and qualifications**

**Experience**
- Experience working with disabled children and young people
- Experience of planning, organising and carrying out tasks eg craft, cooking, sport sessions
- Experience of managing children and young people’s behaviour in various situations
- Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities

**Skills**
- Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and the ability to monitor and maintain safe working practices.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt communication method to meet individual needs.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Able to work on own initiative.
- Commitment to delivering quality services and seeking continual improvement for service users.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to show empathy with Our Space members and their families.
- Organised, patient and reliable with high levels of personal integrity and confidentiality.
- Highly motivated and enthusiastic.

**Other**
- A genuine interest both in supporting disabled children and young people their families, and in the Charity’s vision and purpose.
- Willing and able to work flexibly and to work non-social hours, including weekend and evening hours.
- Committed to attending training in support of the job role and in relation to the needs of members.

**Job Type**: Part-time

**Salary**: £9.75 per hour

**Benefits**:

- On-site parking
- Sick pay

COVID-19 considerations:
Lateral flow testing. Enhanced clea