At a Glance
- Tasks: Create safe, fun play sessions for young people aged 6-19 in vibrant adventure playgrounds.
- Company: Lewisham Council, committed to diverse communities and inclusive play.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, pension scheme, flexible working, and local discounts.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, with great career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while having fun!
- Qualifications: Experience with diverse youth and strong safeguarding knowledge required.
The predicted salary is between 29000 - 36000 £ per year.
Discover yourself in Lewisham where what you do makes a difference to our vibrant and culturally diverse communities! Lewisham’s adventure playgrounds are vibrant hubs of creativity, learning, and community. We’re looking for someone passionate about creating safe, fun, and inclusive spaces where young people can thrive.
What’s the role?
- Support the delivery of engaging, safe, and inclusive play sessions for young people aged 6–19 (up to 25 with SEN).
- Promote informal education through play.
- Assist with safeguarding, site safety, volunteer coordination, and youth voice initiatives.
- Contribute to innovative programming, outreach, fundraising, and compliance with council policies.
What’s in it for you?
- Generous holiday
- 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
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
£32,442.00 per annum SC4 (pro rata)
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 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.
The Council reserves the right to close adverts early if there is a large response.
Play Worker employer: Lewisham Council
Join Lewisham Adventure Playgrounds, where your role as a Play Worker directly contributes to the well-being and development of our vibrant community. We offer a supportive work culture with generous benefits, including a Local Government Pension scheme, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth. Here, you will be part of a passionate team dedicated to creating safe and inclusive spaces for young people to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Play Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the community! Spend some time at Lewisham's adventure playgrounds before your interview. This will help you understand the vibe and the needs of the young people you'll be working with, making it easier to connect during your chat.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your creativity! Think of a fun play activity or session you could run and be ready to share it in your interview. This will demonstrate your passion for engaging young people and your ability to think on your feet.
✨Tip Number 3
Be prepared to discuss safeguarding! Brush up on your knowledge and be ready to talk about how you would handle various situations. This shows you're serious about creating a safe environment for the kids.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Play Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:Let us see your enthusiasm for creating safe and fun spaces for young people. Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your commitment to inclusive play and community engagement.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We want to know how you can contribute to our vibrant adventure playgrounds!
Highlight Safeguarding Knowledge:Since safeguarding is crucial, be sure to mention any relevant training or experiences you have. Show us that you understand the importance of safety and can respond to concerns effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lewisham Council
✨Know Your Playwork Principles
Familiarise yourself with the key principles of playwork, especially those that promote safe and inclusive environments. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these principles in your role, as it shows your passion for creating engaging spaces for young people.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully engaged diverse groups of young people. Highlight any creative activities you've led and how they contributed to positive outcomes, demonstrating your ability to foster community involvement.
✨Understand Safeguarding Protocols
Brush up on safeguarding knowledge and be prepared to discuss how you would identify and respond to concerns. This is crucial for the role, so showing that you take this responsibility seriously will impress the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and flexibility. Think about potential challenges you might face in a playground setting and how you would handle them, particularly during evenings or weekends.
