Play Ranger

These positions will require you to work evenings and Saturdays. Are you an experienced professional with the ability to engage and empower children, young people and their families? As a Play Ranger, you will facilitate play opportunities for children aged 5-16 years, through the provision of play outreach for children, young people and communities. Your work will enable children to benefit from access to free play and support adult understanding and commitment in establishing and continuing this approach for the benefit of all. You will support the implementation of the borough’s Play Strategy and Young Wandsworth Strategy, contributing to the Family Help service offer within the cluster model.

In this unique role, you will facilitate and promote diverse play opportunities for children and young people across the community, advocating for their right to play and involving families in developing new activities. Your main focus will be on delivering inclusive, needs-led play sessions in parks, hubs, schools and open spaces, with particular attention to children with disabilities and SEND. You will work collaboratively with schools, partners and the Children’s Participation Team, helping recruit volunteer Play Champions and ensuring all activities align with the borough’s Play Strategy and Service Action Plan. Maintaining compliance with health and safety and safeguarding procedures is vital, as is supporting the Family Help offer and contributing to team meetings and training. Your role will be predominantly outreach-based and involve working outdoors throughout the year in varying weather conditions. Please note, regular evening, weekend and holiday work forms part of the role.

Essential Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Understanding of safeguarding procedures and commitment to inclusive practice.
• Experience of working with children, young people, or families in a diverse community.
• Proven ability to engage and empower young people through informal education and structured programmes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to work independently in an outreach capacity, when required.
• Level 2 qualification in Playwork, Youth & Community Work.

Closing Date: 18 January 2026
Shortlisting Date: w/c 19 January 2026
Interview Date: 4 and 5 February 2026
A short presentation will form part of the interview process. We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know. We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.