At a Glance
- Tasks: Create fun and engaging play experiences for children with complex needs.
- Company: Join a supportive school dedicated to inclusive education.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, training opportunities, and a chance to make a difference.
- Other info: Opportunity to grow within a caring community focused on equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of children's development and well-being in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or relevant experience with children.
The predicted salary is between 21500 - 24500 £ per year.
Oakwood School is a specialist provision for children and young people aged 3-15 years with complex educational needs.
Role Overview
Reporting to the Head of School, the Playworker is responsible for providing self‑directed play experiences across school premises, ensuring children’s secure, inclusive, and stimulating environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Carry out playwork and facilitate free play in lunchtimes, school playgrounds, after‑school sessions and curriculum time outside of lessons.
- Establish, plan, prepare and implement play opportunities based on children’s requests.
- Develop and maintain positive relationships with children, young people and their families.
- Apply safeguarding, health, safety and emergency procedures to protect all participants.
- Support disabled children and young people in the play environment through tailored planning and practice.
- Contribute to the provision of food and drink, and manage administrative tasks including financial transactions and record keeping.
- Support travel and supervision outside the school play environment.
- Reflect on practice and contribute to the wider playwork team’s development.
Qualifications and Skills
- NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or equivalent qualification/experience.
- Experience working with or caring for children in the relevant age groups.
- Familiarity with and commitment to Playwork principles.
- Awareness of equality of opportunity and inclusive practice.
- Ability to promote and support freely chosen, self‑directed play.
- Strong safeguarding, health‑safety and emergency procedures knowledge.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building with children, families, colleagues.
- Capability to support disabled children and young people.
- Pay range: Grade 3 SCP 4‑6
- Equality and Diversity
The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, mandating enhanced DBS checks and references for all appointments.
The Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion, welcoming applications from all sections of the community.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
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Playworker in Brownhills employer: Oakwood School
Oakwood School is an exceptional employer that values flexibility and work-life balance, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the governance of our educational community. With a supportive work culture and a commitment to professional development, we empower our staff to grow while making a meaningful impact during term-time hours. Join us in Horley, where your organisational skills will be appreciated, and your contributions will help shape the future of our students.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Playworker in Brownhills
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Oakwood School.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Oakwood School!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Oakwood School, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Oakwood School or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Playworker in Brownhills
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Oakwood School:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Oakwood School! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oakwood School
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
