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 Shoreditch 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.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB: 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.

This is a physically demanding role, with work predominantly outdoors on the adventure playground. You will be expected to deliver all types of play activities including but not limited to: fire and water play, structure building, arts and crafts activities, sport activities, creative and imaginative play, gardening and nature based activities. You will also be expected to support day trips and residential activities. A good understanding of structure building, maintenance and repairs is needed; you will be expected to 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. An Enhanced DBS check is required for this role. During service delivery you will be predominantly based outdoors, all year round and in all weather conditions.

Hours of Work: 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

If you would like to discuss this role further, please contact simeon.marriottdixon@hackney.gov.uk.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation. If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below. We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s. To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application. As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice. This application process replaces a supporting statement.

Closing date for applications: 01 March 2026 (22:59). Interview date: w/c 16 March 2026.

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

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. The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk.