Play Worker

**First 4 Kids**

**Playworker - Job Description**

**Job Title**: Playworker

**Location**: First 4 Kids, various sites throughout the Falkirk area

**Accountable to**: Play Coordinator; Area Manager

**This is a flexible post; school term time 2.30pm -6.15pm.**

**First 4 Kids** is a charitable non-profit making organisation providing affordable quality childcare for school age children. Headed by a voluntary Executive Management

Committee, the day to day running is carried out by the Chief Executive and a staff team based at the Head Office and across eleven Out of School Care settings in the Falkirk area.

All staff working with children are either qualified in Childcare / Playwork or working towards a recognised qualification. All staff undertake checks and inspections prior to taking up post, they must register with SSSC and continue their professional development in the workplace.

All sites work closely with the Care Inspectorate to ensure the best possible care for the children.

**Job Purpose**:
The Playworker’s role is to create an environment facilitating a range of children’s play needs which are inclusive to all children and young people underpinned by an understanding of the Play Process, the Playwork Principles and the Play Types.

The post holder will be a reflective worker, working under the direction of the site’s Play

Coordinator, ensuring the provision is run effectively and efficiently to a high standard through the implementation of the First 4 Kids policies and procedures and adhering to the

Health and Social Care Standards, the Playwork Principles, the UNCRC and GIRFEC.

**Key Tasks and Responsibilities**:

- Take an active part in the team, working to develop the service and enhance best practice.
- Attend team meetings, sharing ideas and contributing to development of the setting.
- Work individually and collaboratively with team members to meet and exceed the Health and Social Care Standards.
- Contribute to the work of the team in line with operational and action plans.
- Establish effective communication methods, passing on and sharing information when necessary.
- Carry out a daily risk assessment of the setting and the immediate environment.
- Provide full care for the children and young people attending the setting including picking up / escorting from school, supporting individual needs and action plans.
- Plan and prepare the provision for the play session, arranging resources as necessary, while ensuring the play environment is inviting for those attending.
- Ensure the setting at all times offers the highest standards of physical and emotional care; safeguarding; health and safety; and food hygiene.
- Provide refreshments, adhering to healthy eating guidelines and Cooksafe, ensuring provisions for snack are readily available and fresh.
- Be aware of the fire evacuation procedures for the setting and follow these where necessary.
- Contribute to the recording and reporting systems, including children’s action plans, attendance registers, accident / incident forms, fire drills, risk benefit assessments.
- Actively consult with children using varying methods of communication, seeking their ideas and opinions, involving them in the daily running of the setting.
- Facilitate / extend play opportunities for children and young people while meeting their individual needs and fully supporting inclusive practice.
- Have an understanding of the importance of play in children’s development.
- Have the ability to choose an intervention style that enables children and young people to extend their play, while balancing risk with the developmental benefit and well-being of children. z:\office\hr
- Liaise with parents/carers providing information and ensuring necessary documentation is accurate and complete, including medical information, dietary requirements, contact details.
- Liaise with school staff and other professionals as necessary, on all relevant matters and issues.
- Contribute to the evaluation of the service in consultation with parents, children and the staff team.
- Contribute to the quality assurance scheme set out within the workplace.
- Take responsibility for your own personal learning and undertake any training which is identified via the formal review procedure.
- Establish effective methods of reflective practice to contribute to the development of the setting and your own personal development.
- Meet the registration requirements for the Scottish Social Services Council.

**First 4 Kids**

**Playworker - Person Specification**

**1. Educational/Professional Qualifications Essential Desirable**
- Qualified or willing to work towards SCQF Level 7 in a relevant
- field i.e. Playwork, Education, Childcare or Social Care
- Willing to work towards registration with the SSSC at Practitioner *
- Level for Day Care of Children
- A recognised First Aid Certificate *
- Intermediate Food Hygiene *

**2. Career Experience**
- Experience of working in a team *
- A p