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- Tasks: Lead play and learning activities for children aged 0-16 in hostels.
- Company: Join CARIS Families, a charity supporting homeless families in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a flexible schedule with 24 hours across three days a week.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on children's lives while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Level 2 or 3 qualification in Playwork, Early Years, or related fields required.
- Other info: Applications accepted via email only; no CVs or cover letters.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent, following a 3-month probation period
Hours: 24 hours across three days a week: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Do you want to make a tangible difference in the lives of some of the most deprived children in London?
CARIS Families is a small frontline charity that offers holistic support to families experiencing homelessness in hostels in the London Boroughs of Camden and Hackney. Amongst our services for children, we run play and learning activities for children aged 0-16 from within 4 hostels in these boroughs, as well as a school holiday day trip programme. Our services for children aim to reduce the stress on children and parents of living in overcrowded, insecure accommodation, and to put back essential childhood experiences that homeless accommodation deprives children of.
The services we currently offer our families in hostels are:
– Kids Club: an after-school play club in term time for 0-16s, run from our dedicated play club in the basement of one family hostel in Camden.
– Enrichment Trips and Summer Programme: a series of day trips for groups of families from our 4 hostels in the school holidays. We take part in exciting activities and visit interesting destinations round London and the South-East, to ease the pressures of being stuck in the hostel during the long school breaks.
– Essentials Bank: Our Essentials bank runs weekly in term-time from two of our hostels, offering families free hygiene products such as toiletries, nappies, washing powder etc. to ease the pressure on family finances at a difficult time.
– Family Support Work and Housing Casework: we offer holistic casework to support families to ease the stress of their situation, from working on finances to supporting employment searches, to assisting with legal cases and supporting them to navigate their housing case and move out of homelessness as soon as possible.
We are currently looking for an experienced Play and Community Worker to join our dedicated frontline Family Services team, delivering this vital support to around 100 children and their families each year.
Responsibilities of the Role
The Play and Community Worker will:
– Deliver play and learning activities for children aged 0-16 at our hostel-based Kids Club’s play sessions during term time in the London Borough of Camden.
– Deliver our Enrichment Trips School Holiday programme during school holidays (in Camden, Hackney and the wider London and South-East England area)
– Deliver our term-time Essentials Bank programme, providing free household goods to families in hostels
– Assist the Services Manager with a range of administrative and operational activities to support the day-to-day running of our Family Services and CARIS Families’ operations as a whole
– Provide a warm and welcoming experience for children and their families attending CARIS Families’ services
– Engage enthusiastically and supportively with children in their play and learning experiences, through staff-led activities and facilitating child-led play
– Work proactively as part of our Family Services team, supporting colleagues, embracing change and contributing ideas to service development within our frontline Family Services.
Person Specification
We are looking for a Play and Community Worker who is:
– Qualified to Level 2 or 3, or prepared to work towards this qualification in: Playwork, Early Years, CYP Workforce, Youth Work or any related area
– Experienced in delivering play within a CYP or community work setting, and working with 0- to 16-year-olds
– Experienced in providing and facilitating safe and creative play experiences
– Passionate about improving opportunities for disadvantaged children
– Understanding of the varied needs of children and their families, and of the impact of trauma and ACE on children’s development and wellbeing
– Able to maintain professional boundaries while supporting parents/carers and children empathetically, and with a person-centred, relational approach.
– Understanding of Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding best practice
– A good communicator, comfortable with working with a wide range of service users and professionals
– Proficient in use of Microsoft Office packages and basic web-based software applications (e.g. Canva)
– Reliable and diligent, with good time-keeping skills, who is able to work well as part of a team, take the initiative and lend a helping hand across our fast-changing, responsive frontline work
How to apply
To apply, please email office@carisfamilies.org to request an application form and job description / person spec. Please return your completed application form to us at the same email address by the deadline of 15th August 2025 at 23.30. Please note, we will not be accepting applications by CV and cover letter, and any CVs sent will not be considered.
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Play and Community Worker CARIS Families Deadline: 15 Aug 2025 employer: Young Camden Fundation
Contact Detail:
Young Camden Fundation Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Play and Community Worker CARIS Families Deadline: 15 Aug 2025
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with CARIS Families and their mission. Understanding the specific challenges faced by families experiencing homelessness will help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your passion for making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the community by volunteering or attending events related to children's services or homelessness. This hands-on experience will not only enhance your understanding but also show your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the field of playwork and community services. Attend workshops or seminars where you can meet people who work in similar roles, as they may provide valuable insights or even referrals.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to deliver engaging play activities and support children and families. Tailoring your responses to reflect the needs outlined in the job description will make you stand out.
We think you need these skills to ace Play and Community Worker CARIS Families Deadline: 15 Aug 2025
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Play and Community Worker position. Familiarise yourself with CARIS Families' mission and the specific services they provide to children and families.
Request the Application Form: Follow the instructions provided in the job description to request the application form from CARIS Families. This is crucial as they do not accept CVs or cover letters.
Tailor Your Responses: When filling out the application form, tailor your responses to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications. Emphasise your understanding of the needs of disadvantaged children and your experience in delivering play activities.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting your completed application form, take the time to proofread it for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Young Camden Fundation
✨Show Your Passion for Community Work
Make sure to express your genuine passion for working with disadvantaged children and families. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference in their lives.
✨Demonstrate Your Playwork Experience
Be prepared to discuss your previous experience in delivering play activities, especially with children aged 0-16. Highlight specific examples of how you've facilitated safe and creative play experiences in your past roles.
✨Understand the Impact of Trauma
Familiarise yourself with the effects of trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACE) on children's development. Be ready to discuss how you would approach working with children who may have faced such challenges.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Think of insightful questions to ask about the role and the organisation. This shows your interest and helps you understand how you can contribute to CARIS Families' mission effectively.
