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- Tasks: Plan and deliver fun activities for children with special needs.
- Company: Join a passionate team at our Short Breaks Service in Blackpool.
- Benefits: Flexible hours, rewarding work, and the chance to make a difference.
- Why this job: Impact young lives while enjoying creative play and community outings.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and a warm, empathetic approach required.
- Other info: Rolling vacancy with opportunities across Lancashire.
The predicted salary is between 13 - 16 £ per hour.
Do you enjoy working with children & young people and positively impacting their lives? We have an exciting opportunity for a number of Play Workers to join our friendly, passionate and dedicated team at our Short Breaks Service in Blackpool, on an As & When basis.
Our Include Me 2 Service is a short breaks service facilitating group sessions for children & young people aged 4 – 18 with a wide range of Special Educational Needs/disabilities offering them opportunities to get involved in play and leisure activities such as arts & crafts, cooking and trips out in the community whilst offering valuable respite to their families. We are a fun-loving team looking for enthusiastic, happy and kind individuals to join us as our Play Worker!
Location: Locality working across our Include Me 2 services predominantly based in Blackpool however will have the opportunity to work within Lancashire covering South Ribble, Preston, Chorley, West Lancs, Burnley and Pendle.
Working Pattern: You will be working on an as & when basis. Hours tend to be after school, weekends and school holidays.
Essential Requirements to evidence in your written application:
- Experience of working with children & young people (gained either in employment or volunteer capacity)
- Ability to communicate effectively with children & young people and respond with warmth and empathy.
- Ability to work well as part of a team with energy and enthusiasm.
- Ability to demonstrate a good understanding of safeguarding and the commitment to adhere to Barnardo's safeguarding & child protection policies/procedures.
- Most importantly, you will need to enjoy the challenges and rewards of working with children & young people!
Main responsibilities:
- To contribute to the planning of sessions and activities.
- Delivering and recording group sessions.
- Facilitating activities and days out.
- To ensure the sessions run smoothly and our safeguarding policies and procedures are adhered to at all times.
- To provide a safe, fun and inclusive environment for all our service users.
For more information about this role, please contact us on 01772 629470.
Application guidance: When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document (if applicable). This should be done with an understanding of the context of the service described.
Vacancy status: This is a rolling vacancy. Applications will be reviewed and interviews arranged on a regular basis. Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
As and When Play worker SEND in Burscough employer: Barnardos
Contact Detail:
Barnardos Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land As and When Play worker SEND in Burscough
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the service! Familiarise yourself with the Include Me 2 Service and its mission. When you understand what they do, you can tailor your conversations and show genuine enthusiasm during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn or social media. They can give you insider tips about the team culture and what it’s really like to work there.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the unexpected! Be ready for scenario-based questions in interviews. Think about how you would handle different situations with children and young people, showcasing your empathy and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our fun-loving team!
We think you need these skills to ace As and When Play worker SEND in Burscough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for working with children and young people! Share specific experiences that highlight your love for play and how you’ve positively impacted their lives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to align your skills and experiences with the job description. We want to know how your background fits into our Include Me 2 Service and the fun activities we offer!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of safeguarding policies!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Barnardos
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Play Worker and the specific needs of children with Special Educational Needs/disabilities. Familiarise yourself with the Include Me 2 Service and think about how your experience aligns with their mission.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for working with children shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your love for engaging with young people and how you’ve positively impacted their lives in the past.
✨Team Spirit is Key
Since this role involves working as part of a team, be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others. Think of examples where you’ve worked effectively in a team setting, especially in challenging situations, and how you contributed to a positive environment.
✨Safeguarding Matters
Make sure you’re well-versed in safeguarding policies and child protection procedures. Be ready to discuss why these are important and how you would ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all children during your sessions.
