JOB PACK – PLAY LEADER
Belgrave Playhouse 132, Harrison Road, Leicester, LE4 6BS
BACKGROUND
Belgrave Playhouse is a vibrant community project providing for the care,
education and recreation of young people. We were established as an
experiment in childcare by the United Nations in 1980.
The Playhouse provides services for young people every day. Service
groups include an afterschool club, holiday playschemes, education
groups and a youth project for young people with additional needs. The
setting in in three large terraced houses situated at the centre of the
community. Facilities include a dance studio, basketball court and sensory
room. The Playhouse is brightly muralled with imaginative inside spaces
designed to provide a second-home environment. Each room is used for
different activities. The project works throughout the year with an age
range of 4 to 18 years. The group provides informal education, life-skills
training and personal support. We offer alternative routes to success and
a reliable social base for all young people. Many of our users are
underachievers in school. Personal and social education are part of our
curriculum.
The Playhouse opens weekdays, 12 noon - 7pm. The group provides a
safe and friendly meeting place in the inner city. Our portfolio of activities
includes foundation education, language tuition and outdoor activities in
camping, canoeing, rock climbing. This framework promotes alternative
routes to success for mixed ability groups. The Playhouse is a grassroots
charity, run by people committed to the community and child support.
In 2014-2015 over 400 individual young people used the Playhouse. All
Playhouse users are young people in need. Playhouse strategies are
activities based and use informal education. The positive effects are
cumulative through progressive membership of the group. Child care is
affordable; education, social work and youth work are provided free of
charge to users.
From our Ofsted Report.
The (Playhouse) leadership and management is OUTSTANDING, of
exceptionally high quality and effective in embedding ambition and driving
improvement. The provision is OUTSTANDING in its effectiveness and
capacity to promote and maintain continuous improvement. The
Playhouse is OUTSTANDING in promoting equality and diversity, as well
as OUTSTANDING in the effectiveness of the settings self-evaluation The
provision is OUTSTANDING in helping children make a positive
contribution. ”
“
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE :
PLAYLEADER
18.5 Hours Weekly, working 3.5 hours daily, Mondays to Fridays.
Hours of work = between 2.30 to 6pm daily.
Paid at a sessional rate of £7.85 per hour.
Additional hours are available in school holidays
The job advantages are; good working conditions and occupational
training in a friendly workplace.
I
JOB PURPOSE
To work as part of a team running children’s play activities in or for the
setting.
II MAJOR TASKS
1. To plan and run quality play activities for Playhouse children.
2. To help in providing care and support for children in need.
3. Other miscellaneous duties.
III JOB ACTIVITIES
1. To plan and deliver quality play work in the setting.
1.1
1.2
To run associated care and informal education activities in line
with the expressed needs and wishes of children.
To ensure activities meet the requirements of measurable
play, good practice and relevant current legislation.
1.3
To take responsibility for the safeguarding and well-being of
children while in the care of the Playhouse.
1.4
To help supervise daily trips, outings and offsite activity
sessions.
2
To assist with the maintenance and security of buildings, equipment and
materials.
2. To provide integral care and support for Children in Need.
2.1 To share ‘second Home’ care; acting as a responsible parent and in
line with Playhouse policies and procedures.
2.2 To assist in providing support for children with additional needs; by
being understanding and using sympathetic playwork.
2.3 To assist in the collection and delivery of children to and from
school and other venues as required.
2.4 To help in the preparation and serving of meals and refreshments.
.
2.5 To provide information and support for parents, carers and others
workers as required.
3.
Miscellaneous duties.
3.1. Assists in displays and keeps registers and statistics as required.
3.2. Attends and contributes at playscheme planning meetings.
3.3. Helps keep buildings and equipment in a clean, tidy and
serviceable condition.
3.4. Assists with promotion and fund-raising duties as required.
3.5. Undertakes any other relevant duties as directed by the
management.
IV JOB REQUIREMENTS
The successful candidate will be hardworking, energetic and enthusiastic
and will demonstrate a friendly, engaging and outgoing personality.
You will understand the challenges faced by children and will be able to
safe guard, interpret and address children's needs and wishes.
The successful candidate must have a relevant qualification at least NVQ
Level 2 standard or above in play work or similar discipline.
You will wish to undertake further training - some parts of which may
involve work in your own time.
You must have some other work experience with children; this may be
voluntary work or as work experience.
3
Team work and community work are important, as is a commitment to
safeguarding, to supporting children in need and anti-oppressive practice.
The successful applicant will also have a good general education, literacy
and administrative skills.
The ability to speak a community language and work experience within a
similar community is desirable.
First aid training, sports skills, craft skills and computer skills are valued
and useful. A flexible approach is essential.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
JOB TITLE : PLAYLEADER
WORK REQUIREMENT
ESSENTIAL(E)
DESIRABLE(D)
OUR MEASURE
1) Skills, Knowledge, Experience
Work experience gained in a similar
setting (eg.inner city, play-setting,
community work, Paid or voluntary).
E
Application Form &
Interview
Good communication skills.
E
Interview
Experience of working with an Asian
or African-Caribbean community
D*
References, interview
Full, Clean, Driving License
D
Application Form & see
license
E*
Interview and
application form.
of
E
Interview
equal
E
Interview
Relevant play related studies: NVQ2
standard or better.
E
see certificates
4) Personal Qualities & Attributes
E
Interview
Relevant
additional
sports, arts, music...)
skills
(play,
2) Equal opportunities
Understanding and recognition
discrimination and social issues.
Commitment
to
practice
opportunities policy.
3) Qualifications
4
A non-judgmental
attitude
and
unbiased
E
Interview
Ability to deal sensitively and
appropriately with people in crisis.
E
Interview
Ability to work as part of the team.
E
Interview
Ability to follow and implement group
practice and procedures - including
safe guarding.
E
Interview
Willingness to participate in all
aspects of play work and childcare.
E
Interview
Flexibility to engage in occasional
shift-change or extra work - [to cover
absences e.g.]
D
Interview
5) Other
E = Essential
D= Desirable
Any desirable factor marked with an asterisk* will be weighted more
favorably in making the recruitment.
5