Senior Playworker Job Role 

Family Link provides fun and educational activities for children and young adults with complex disabilities. We are looking for     committed, reliable, and experienced staff to join our team. Our Saturday and school holiday sessions offer engaging and creative   activities for young people with learning, physical, and complex disabilities, including medical needs.

About the Role 

As a Senior Playworker, you will work closely with Play Leaders to deliver an engaging and stimulating programme of activities in a safe environment. You will mentor and support Playworkers, ensuring they receive the necessary guidance to provide high quality care and activities. Additionally, you will be responsible for supporting young people with complex behaviours, high medical needs   including hoisting, administering medication, and PEG feeding. This is a self-employed position, and you will be responsible for   managing your own tax and National Insurance. 

Locations: 

Saturday Club - The Astley Centre (Bromley) 

Holiday club - Marjorie McClure School (Chislehurst)

Hours: 8:30am – 3:30pm (7 hours per session) 

Pay: £14 per hour 

Reports to: Play Leader

Main Duties: 

• To work within a team environment to lead a range of activities which include arts and crafts, games, singing, dance and adapted  activities. 
• To encourage an exciting and enjoyable atmosphere. 
• To attend to the young person's personal care where necessary; this may include assisting with meals, dressing, meeting personal care, depending on the young person’s individual needs.
• Encourage young people to be independent and self-confident, maximising opportunities to reach their full potential.    
• Ensure positive relationships and open communication is maintained with parents/carers. 
• Participate in ongoing training, both internally and externally, as required to ensure compliance with Family Link’s regulations and best  practices. 
• Treat the children and young adults as individuals and follow the advice of the parents/carers on how best to support them during the sessions. 
• Respond appropriately to emergencies. 
• Be approachable and supportive to both the young people you assist and the team members you work with. 
• Assist Leaders with writing risk assessments and implement them effectively. 
• Teach, mentor, and support the development of others. 
• Work effectively within a team and on your own. 
• To ensure that Family Links equipment is properly maintained and fit for purpose. 
• Maintain confidentiality and always comply with safeguarding and health & safety regulations. 
• Understand and follow Family Link’s policies and guidelines. 
• Ensure good health, care and safety is maintained for the young people. 
• To report to the Play Leader and undertake other duties at their request.

Desirable Skills:

• Relevant childcare qualification e.g. NVQ2/equivalent or above.
• Current First Aid certificate,
• Safeguarding children and adult’s certificate.

Essential Skills:

• Managing a small team 
• Good planning and organisational skills 
• Identifying concerns with the team and with individuals.
• Motivating others 
• Supporting others in their roles 
• Approachable to those you are supervising and those you are accountable to
• Able to teach and develop others 
• A genuine enthusiasm for the work of the charity 
• Fun and open-minded attitude to play 
• Ability to work effectively within a team and on your own 
• Experience of working with young people with additional needs
• Good communication skills 
• Ability to work under pressure 
• Ability to be pro-active and use own initiative 
• Patient and tolerant personality
• Creative and imaginative
• Enthusiastic
• A responsible and caring attitude
• The ability to get on well with children, parents and carers
• Awareness of Equal Opportunities 
• Flexibility through changing how you do things to meet individuals need
• Willingness to learn and develop through formal training and informal feedback
• Understanding of Safeguarding Children
• Understanding of Vulnerable Adults 
• Understanding of Health and Safety Desirable
• Current first aid at work or emergency first aid at work certificate
• Good sense of humour
• Understanding of Makaton How we will measure your success in your role: 

Start Date: With immediate effect

Apply to: askfamilylink@gmail.com with a copy of your CV        

At Family Link we do not discriminate against anyone, be they staff, parent, child, or volunteers on the grounds of their ethnicity,   religion, attainment, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy and associated rights or background.  This is in line with the Equality Act 2010.  We constantly strive to remove any forms of indirect discrimination that may form barriers to the quality of our provision. We ensure that all recruitment, employment, promotion, and training systems are fair to all, and provide opportunities for everyone to achieve.  We challenge stereotyping and prejudice whenever it occurs. We celebrate the cultural         diversity of our Family Link community and the wider community and show respect for all minority groups, and form partnerships with the wider community. Through positive experiences and support for each, individual’s point of view, we aim to promote positive social attitudes and respect for all, combating ignorance, which can lead to prejudice and stereotyping.

If you would like to become part of the Family Link team, please get in touch we would love to hear from you.  Please email Rachel at askfamilylink@gmail.com