At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fun and creative activities for young people with disabilities while mentoring a supportive team.
- Company: Family Link, a charity dedicated to providing engaging experiences for children with complex needs.
- Benefits: Earn £14 per hour, gain valuable experience, and make a real difference in young people's lives.
- Other info: Flexible self-employed role with opportunities for ongoing training and personal growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help empower young people to reach their full potential.
- Qualifications: Experience with disabilities and relevant childcare qualifications are essential.
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 and 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.
- Responding appropriately to emergencies.
- Be approachable and supportive to both the young people you assist and the team members you work with.
- Understanding of risk assessments and the ability to write and implement them effectively.
- Able to teach, mentor, and support the development of others.
- Ability to 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.
Essential Skills:
- A minimum of two years’ experience working with young people with disabilities.
- Relevant childcare qualifications (e.g., NVQ Level 2+ or equivalent).
- First Aid certification.
- Safeguarding Children and Adults training.
- Experience in PEG feeding, hoisting, and administering medication, or a willingness to undergo training.
- A responsible, caring, and compassionate attitude.
- Fun and open-minded attitude to play.
- Motivate and support others in their roles.
- A genuine enthusiasm for the work of the charity.
Desirable Skills:
- Additional relevant qualifications in disability support or childcare.
- Experience working in a playcentre or respite setting.
- Makaton or other communication training.
Start Date: Immediate (Ideally April half term)
To Apply: Email your CV to askfamilylink@gmail.com
About Family Link Charity: Family Link provides Saturday and holiday clubs in the London Borough of Bromley for 6–25-year-olds, with medical needs, physical, learning, and complex disabilities. Our staff have been highly trained to support young people’s care and health needs. The sessions run two Saturdays per month and 2-3 sessions per week in the school holidays. We provide a programme of activities that is suitable for each young person’s individual needs. During our Saturday and holiday clubs we like to arrange external entertainers to provide additional variety, interest, and stimulation. In addition to our clubs, we run day trips to places of interest, such as bowling, theatre, cinema, and parks. We believe that these trips help to develop positive lifelong relationship skills, social skills, and confidence. It is not only young people that benefit from our services, but also an opportunity for their families/carers to receive well-deserved respite. Family Link recognises the difficulty transitioning from child services to adult services especially for young people with disabilities. At Family Link we think it is important to avoid that transitioning period from child to adult services and ensure that young people can still meet with their peers in a friendly and engaging environment. We believe it is up to the young person to decide when they wish to leave, and usually by 25 years old they take their next chapter into adult services.
Our mission: The provision of leisure opportunities for children and young people with disabilities; to provide a safe and fun environment.
Senior Playworker in Chislehurst employer: Family Link Charity
Family Link is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing a supportive and engaging environment for both staff and the young people they serve. With a strong focus on employee growth through ongoing training and mentorship, our team enjoys a collaborative culture that values compassion and creativity. Located in the vibrant London Borough of Bromley, we offer unique opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young adults with complex disabilities while enjoying the benefits of flexible working hours and a rewarding community atmosphere.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Playworker in Chislehurst
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Family Link Charity, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Family Link Charity. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Family Link Charity's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Playworker in Chislehurst
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Family Link Charity. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Family Link Charity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Link Charity
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Family Link Charity.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Senior Playworker at Family Link Charity.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Family Link Charity that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Senior Playworker role.
