At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead fun activities for children with disabilities and support your team.
- Company: Join Family Link, a charity dedicated to empowering young people with complex needs.
- Benefits: Earn £14 per hour, enjoy flexible hours, and make a real difference.
- Other info: Immediate start available; great opportunity for personal growth and training.
- Why this job: Be a hero in the lives of young people while having fun and learning.
- Qualifications: Experience with disabilities and relevant childcare qualifications required.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 17 £ per hour.
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: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm (7 hours per session)
Pay: £14 per hour
Reports to: Play Leader
Main Duties
- Lead a range of activities which include arts and crafts, games, singing, dance and adapted activities.
- Create an exciting and enjoyable atmosphere.
- 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.
- Maintain positive relationships and open communication 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.
- Understand risk assessments and the ability to write and implement them effectively.
- Teach, mentor and support the development of others.
- Work effectively within a team and on your own.
- Ensure that Family Links equipment is properly maintained and fit for purpose.
- Maintain confidentiality and comply with safeguarding and health & safety regulations.
- Follow Family Link’s policies and guidelines.
- Ensure good health, care and safety for the young people; 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 are 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 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. These trips help 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 of transitioning from child services to adult services, especially for young people with disabilities. We aim to avoid that transition period from child to adult services and ensure that young people can still meet with their peers in a friendly and engaging environment.
Our Mission
The provision of leisure opportunities for children and young people with disabilities; to provide a safe and fun environment.
Senior Playworker employer: Family Link Charity
Family Link is an exceptional employer dedicated to providing a supportive and enriching 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. Working at our Bromley and Chislehurst locations offers the unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children with complex disabilities while enjoying a fulfilling and rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Playworker
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by Family Link Charity.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like Family Link Charity.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at Family Link Charity.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at Family Link Charity. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Playworker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of Family Link Charity. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Playworker, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at Family Link Charity
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of Family Link Charity. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
