Play Coordinator

**Job Title**: Play Coordinator

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

**Accountable to**: Area Manager; Strategic Manager and Executive Management Committee

**Responsible for**: Playworkers; Assistant Playworkers; Volunteers

**This is a flexible post; school term time may include 2.30pm -6.15pm; school holidays 08.00am - 6.00pm.**

**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 Strategic Manager 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 Play Coordinator is the key link between the Management Team and the First 4 Kids front-line service. The post holder will oversee the daily operation of an allocated play site whilst providing leadership and guidance to a team of Playworkers and volunteers, ensuring the overall running of the setting and the facilitation of accessible play opportunities are inclusive to all children and young people. The post holder will have regular team and planning meetings and occasional meetings with staff from the wider organisation. The post holder’s main responsibilities are supporting and leading the on-site staff whilst 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 National Care Standards, the Playwork Principles, the UNCRC and GIRFEC.

**Key Tasks and Responsibilities**:

- Provide ongoing coaching and support to staff to ensure adherence to all policies, procedures and regulations.
- Assist the Area Manager with timely Care Inspectorate reports and Out of School Care self-assessments.
- Take the lead role in the site team to enhance best practice and develop the service.
- Support all staff members and volunteers promoting and supporting development of their Playwork skills and knowledge.
- Help to build positive, trusting and respectful relationships within the staff team.
- Work individually and collaboratively with team members to meet and exceed the National Care Standards.
- Direct the work of the team in line with operational and action plans.
- To ensure the setting offers the highest standards of physical and emotional care; safeguarding; health and safety; and food hygiene at all times.
- To ensure the setting offers a high quality, inclusive environment which meets the needs of all children, regardless of culture, religion and physical or emotional development.
- An awareness and understanding of the importance of play in the development of children.
- 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.
- To oversee the creation and management of play spaces which encourage a play environment where children can make choices, access a range of resources and be supported by a responsive and adaptable approach to their play.
- Ensure all recording and reporting systems are current and up to date, including children’s play folios, care plans, attendance registers, payment invoices, accident/incident forms, fire drills, risk benefit assessments.
- Provide refreshments, adhering to healthy eating guidelines and Cooksafe, ensuring provisions for snack are readily available and fresh.
- 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 and oversee the process of evidencing for quality assurance purposes.
- 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.

**Play Co-ordinator - Person Specification**

**1. Educational/Professional Qualifications**
- Qualified to SCQF Level 7 (HNC / SVQ3) in a relevant field i.e. Playwork, Education, Childcare or Social Care
- Registration with the SSSC at Practitioner Level for Day Care of Child