At a Glance
- Tasks: Support engaging play sessions for young people in Lewisham's adventure playgrounds.
- Company: Join a vibrant council committed to community and diversity.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference through play and empower young voices.
- Qualifications: Experience with diverse youth and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 32442 - 33384 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! We have a rich history of welcoming people from all over the world and are proud to be recognised as the UK’s first Borough of Sanctuary, for our work in championing the rights of refugees and migrants.
Join Us as a Play Worker – Make a Difference Through Play!
What’s the role?
- Supporting the delivery of engaging, safe, and inclusive play sessions at Lewisham’s adventure playgrounds.
- Promoting informal education through play, tailored to young people aged 6–19 (up to 25 with SEN).
- Assisting with safeguarding, site safety, volunteer coordination, and youth voice initiatives.
- Contribute to innovative programming, outreach, fundraising, and compliance with council policies.
This is a one year fixed term role.
What’s in it for you?
- Generous holiday allowance.
- Local Government Pension scheme.
- Flexible working and family friendly policies.
- Season ticket and bicycle loans.
- A range of staff discounts including local subsidised gym memberships.
- Supportive staff networks.
What we’re looking for:
- Proven experience engaging diverse young people through inclusive, creative, and outcome-driven play activities.
- Strong safeguarding knowledge with the ability to identify and respond to concerns early and appropriately.
- Confidence in supporting and amplifying youth voices, and fostering community involvement.
- Flexibility to work evenings/weekends and a commitment to equality, safety, and ongoing professional development.
Location
The job is based across Lewisham's Adventure playgrounds.
Special conditions
- Playworker qualification is desirable.
- Weekend working is required for this job.
- The job is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Salary
Salary: £32,442 to £33,384 per annum, SC4 pro rata. N.B: All appointments will be offered at the minimum spinal column point (SCP) for the grade of the role. The only exception to this will be when matching current salary (up to the maximum of the scale), which is subject to evidential proof.
Diversity
Lewisham Council is a Disability Confident employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process. We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply.
Note
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Play Worker employer: Borough of Lewisham
Join Lewisham Council as a Play Worker and be part of a team that truly values diversity and community engagement. With generous holiday allowances, a supportive work culture, and opportunities for professional development, you will find a rewarding environment where your contributions make a real difference in the lives of young people. Enjoy flexible working arrangements and access to local discounts, all while working in the vibrant and culturally rich borough of Lewisham.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Play Worker
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Borough of Lewisham.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Borough of Lewisham!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Borough of Lewisham, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Borough of Lewisham or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Play Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Borough of Lewisham:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Borough of Lewisham! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borough of Lewisham
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
