Playworker Apprenticeship

We provide alternate provision, residential care and positive pathways for children and young people.

We have a number of bases across Berkshire including primary and secondary alternate provision sites, creative arts, boxing and construction in addition to children’s homes and supported lodgings.

We work with local authorities, schools, parents and carers to engage children and young people in learning, positive activities and pathways for their future. We give them the support and tools they need to write their own Storyy.

**Key objectives of the role**

You will be learning to care for and support children in taking responsibility for themselves and their own playing whilst creating a stimulating and adventurous space for children to learn and explore in their own way, following their own intent, ideas and inventions.

The focus is on child-directed and child-controlled play, you will be planning for and providing an ever-changing environment that allows children to choose what and how they play. You will observe and monitor this play for children’s development, engagement and safety, both physical and emotional.

As a Playworker you will have, and continue to gain excellent communication skills to support children and their families.

Working as part of a team, you will help to ensure that the play area is operating to legal standards, undertaking all necessary checks on the environment and resources in order to protect the health and well-being of all children using the facilities. You will also ensure that play spaces and activities are made accessible and equipment is adjusted where necessary for children with additional needs and/or impairments, providing opportunity for all children to reach their full play potential.

**Daily and monthly responsibilities**

1. To provide direct support and guidance to children and young people, in relation to health, care and well-being, with an emphasis upon promoting children & young people’s communication, language, physical, social and emotional development.

2. Build playful relationships with children, recognising and adhering to professional boundaries.

3. Provide diverse, inclusive and accessible setting for all children and young people, taking into consideration any additional requirements they may have.

4. To be aware of child safeguarding procedures and ensure that any concerns regarding possible abuse are immediately reported to your line manager. Contribute to safeguarding investigations and protection planning as needed under the direction of the provision manager.

5. Reflect individually and as part of a team to improve Playwork practice.

6. Observe children and young people playing, including how they interact with different environments, other children and young people and staff. Keep reflective records to inform future planning.

7. Facilitate the creation of inspiring play spaces with opportunities to include a range of losse parts which stimulate childrens imagination and build an understanding of sustainable attitudes.

8. Contribute to the process of risk assessment in childrens play.

9. Build and maintain a professional relationship with parents and carers in relation to their child’s experiences in the AP setting.

10. To attend team meetings on a regular basis, to make a commitment to regular supervision, to be responsive to critical challenge, advice, feedback and direction, and to demonstrate a commitment to training and development

11. To work as a positive role model and represent Storyy Group core values and behaviours, ensuring the work you are responsible for is in line with Storyy Group policies and procedures.

12. To comply with Storyy Group diversity & equality policy in every aspect of your work and positively promote the principles of these policies amongst colleagues, service users and other members of the community.

13. To comply with Storyy Group health and safety policy, data protection policy and to protect your own and others’ health, safety and welfare.

14. To work flexibly as may be required by the needs of the service and carry out any other reasonable duties as required.

15. To be able to evidence Storyy Group values at all times, which are underpinned by:
a) Being people focused

b) Reflecting a ‘can do’ approach

c) Striving for excellence in everything we do

d) Having mutual respect for everyone we work with, work for and support through our services

16. Commitment to working within the bounds of the Data Protection Act and GDPR legislation at all times

**Apprenticeship Summary**

The Playworker Level 2 qualification will run alongside the job role with 6 hours each week dedicated to the Apprenticeship ‘Off the Job Training’ which will take place online and in the working environment.

Course Duration: is 18-24 months

Qualification Level: 2

**Job Types**: Full-time, Apprenticeship

**Salary**: £10,571.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company events
- Employee discount
- Free parki