Job Description and Person Specification
Part-time Children’s Play Worker – refuge based
Responsible to:
Based in:
Hours of work:
Special Conditions:
Salary:
Operations Manager
North West Surrey/varying locations
20 hours per week during the hours 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
– exact hours of work to be determined with post holder
Partake in occasional emergency on call out of hours and helpline
shift rota (additional pay per shift)
£10,483 pa (£18,870 full time equivalent)
Overall Role:
To facilitate meeting the practical and emotional needs of children who have experienced domestic
abuse through play, support and advocacy. The service also aims to undo the harm caused to
children who have lived with domestic abuse.
Core tasks
 To plan and provide a routine of play and activities for children of pre-school and school ages
ensuring they are age appropriate and reflect our commitment to equal opportunities – also
sourcing outside activities as part of holiday programmes.

To empower and support children and their mothers in making their own decisions in taking
control of their lives, including supporting the mother in her relationship with her children
and improved availability of age appropriate information about domestic abuse

To support the full-time Children’s worker in the delivery of the therapeutic children’s
service

To work with Children’s worker to provide support to children across both refuge sites

To report any safety concerns regarding the children or service in general to the named child
safeguarding lead

To plan and organise toys, materials, books and outside play equipment and children’s
welcome packs, organisation and upkeep

To monitor play equipment and remove any play equipment that is unsafe and in need of
repair

To support mothers and their children to find school/nursery places and accompany them
on their first visit if required. To support/encourage mothers in initial sessions at outside
group “play and learn” school enrolment sessions

Liaise and network with other agencies/organisations to benefit the service to children.

With other refuge workers, support the smooth running of the refuge including:




Allowing children to learn through play
Helping to arrange parties for the women and children at various times,
where possible and according to financial limitations
Respecting children's rights/differences and diverse value systems
Encouraging children and their mothers to respect and take responsibility
for the daily maintenance of the refuge

To be an active member of the team and attend team and service meetings as appropriate

To maintain accurate records in line with Your Sanctuary procedures

To work within and support Your Sanctuary’s policies and procedures in particular our
procedures with regard to confidentiality, child protection, health and safety and equal
opportunities

To undertake any other duties as required by the management team to further the aims of Your
Sanctuary

As a small organisation flexibility is required to provide continuity to all of our services in the
case of staff absences
Qualities and behaviours needed to be effective in this role:









Excellent communicator – the ability to communicate with children in an appropriate way
that meets their individual needs
Service oriented - eager to contribute to the delivery of a high quality service
Self motivated and well-organised
Good problem solver – to prioritise and deal effectively with planned and unforeseen
eventualities
Forward thinker - interested in continual improvement
Ability to work in a non-judgmental manner that empowers others
Safety awareness - to demonstrate constant vigilance to ensure the safety of all residents,
staff and volunteers
Be professional in all your exchanges and promote the interests of the organisation at every
opportunity. Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
Maintain professional boundaries at all times
Experience and qualifications - essential:



Experience of working with children
Knowledge and understanding of child development
Clean driving license and use of car

Computer literate
Experience and qualifications – an advantage:
 Understanding of providing therapeutic &/or trauma informed play support
 Experience of working with children with emotional needs
 Sound knowledge of First Aid/or willingness to undertake training
Demonstrate yourSanctuary values:
Someone who has a ‘Can Do’ attitude
Someone who takes responsibility
Committed to our core aims
Supportive
Respectful
Professional