At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage and support children through creative play in a unique environment.
- Company: Join Pact, a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to children's services.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, training opportunities, and a supportive team.
- Other info: Flexible hours with a friendly team and career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in childcare and play work is essential.
The predicted salary is between 11 - 16 £ per hour.
Role overview
Are you full of creative ideas to keep kids happy and engaged? Pact is looking for forward-thinking, creative childcare workers to join their play project. You will provide support and play opportunities to the children using play facilities at the prison. The post holder will work as one of the children’s services team, assisting in the organising of a daily play facility for children visiting the prison. You will ensure that the play facilities operate at an excellent standard and safeguard children at all times, ensuring that activities are suited to the range of children visiting.
About you
You will have experience of planning and delivering play to children and families within a challenging environment; you will also be a good communicator, reliable and enthusiastic. This would suit someone who has finished or is currently studying for a childcare related qualification. You should have at least one year's experience of play work with children. It is essential that you have excellent interpersonal and organisational skills and can relate sensitively to the varying needs of the children visiting the prison. You must also have the ability to work flexibly.
What Pact Offer
Pact offers a wide range of employee benefits including free confidential advice and counselling service, cycle to work scheme, life assurance, eye care vouchers, generous annual leave plus more. You will have the opportunity to attend internal training events to further develop yourself as an effective support worker and you will undergo a thorough induction process and be supported by a friendly and enthusiastic team.
How to apply
If you feel you meet the requirements of this post please complete an application form by clicking the apply now button. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.
Shift Pattern
- Wednesday 13.45-15.45
- Thursday 13.45-15.45
- Saturday (split Shift) 09.30-11.00 & 14.00-16.00
Other information
Pact is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all applications including those with a criminal conviction (appointment to post is subject to a risk assessment). This post is subject to a 6-month probationary period, verification of identity and proven right to work in the UK, satisfactory references from previous employers covering a 3-year period, declaration of any unspent criminal convictions (and where appropriate a satisfactory risk assessment), Prison Vetting and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. Please note that being bankrupt or having County Court Judgments may affect your ability to be successfully vetted to work in a prison. If you have lived overseas for a period of over 12 months (in the past 10 years while aged 18 or over), you will need to supply a certificate of good conduct from the Police Force of the country of residence.
Play Worker - 4 hrs in Hemel Hempstead employer: Prison Advice and Care Trust
Prison Advice and Care Trust is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of families affected by incarceration. Located in Aylesbury, we foster a supportive work culture that values emotional resilience and adaptability, providing our employees with comprehensive benefits such as wellness programs and a cycle to work scheme. We are committed to employee growth, offering opportunities for professional development and the chance to engage in rewarding work that truly makes a difference.
Contact Details:
Prison Advice and Care Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Play Worker - 4 hrs in Hemel Hempstead
✨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 Prison Advice and Care Trust.
✨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 Prison Advice and Care Trust!
✨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 Prison Advice and Care Trust, 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 Prison Advice and Care Trust 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 Play Worker - 4 hrs in Hemel Hempstead
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 Prison Advice and Care Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Prison Advice and Care Trust! 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 Prison Advice and Care Trust
✨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.
