Senior Playworker – Young Hackney in London

Are you passionate about using the Play Principles and play methodologies to deliver better outcomes for children, young people and families? Are you a skilled professional committed to the adventure playground ethos of playworkers being a resource for children rather than leading or directing their play? Do you have experience of design, construction, modification and maintenance of adventure playground structures and features, to ensure that the playground can evolve and change in response to the children’s wishes? Are you a champion for anti oppressive, anti racist and inclusive practice?

We are looking for an experienced professional to join our award winning adventure play team at Hackney Marsh Adventure Playground – a unique form of open access adventure play provision where children can enjoy their childhood by engaging in the full possibilities of play.

The Senior Playworker will be responsible for supporting the planning, delivery, evaluation and promotion of high quality, open access adventure play activities. You will:

• Support the Play Manager with the development and delivery of term-time and holiday adventure play provision that promotes the development of physical and emotional well-being in accordance with the Playwork Principles.
• Support the Play Manager in the day to day running of the playground, including oversight of staff, resources, building and site; health and safety and safeguarding arrangements.
• Deputise for the Play Manager in their absence, ensuring service delivery.
• Support the creation and maintenance of a safe, creative, and stimulating play environment.
• Work with the Play Manager to ensure all legal health and safety requirements are met, including the undertaking of maintenance and repair of play structures and the playground site.
• Work with the Play Manager to ensure equality of opportunity for all young people and actively challenge discrimination, including racism, sexism and all other forms of oppression and unjust attitudes, behavior and practice.
• Deliver all types of play activities, including fire and water play, structure building, arts and crafts, sport activities, creative and imaginative play, gardening and nature based activities, and support day trips and residential activities.
• Perform daily and quarterly inspections of play structures and the playground space, and carry out remedial repairs and ongoing maintenance to ensure the safety of young people attending the playground.
• Be predominantly based outdoors, all year round and in all weather conditions.

36 hours per week. You need to be available for service delivery at the following times:

• Winter Term time: Tuesday to Friday – 10:45am – 7:30pm, Saturday: 10:45am to 4:15pm
• Summer Term Time: Tuesday to Friday 11am – 7:45pm, Saturday: 10:45am to 4:15pm
• School Holidays: Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:45pm

An Enhanced DBS Check is required for this role.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.