Key duties 

• Face to face work with children and delivering open access play sessions. 
• To facilitate and support children and young people in self-directed play, provide a varied, safe, and stimulating environment in both indoor and outdoor settings. 
• To introduce ideas and activities and support children’s initiatives that help to create a challenging, stimulating, and rich play environment. 
• To positively engage with children, encouraging them to find their space at the playground. To listen to them and be a safe person who can support them in their time on site. 
• To be responsive to a range of play types and cues, behaviours and experiences and allow young people control and autonomy over the content and intent of their play; whilst facilitating positive behaviour. 
• To collaborate with other staff in the planning and running of sessions so that the playground offers a broad range of play and activities, considering the needs and wishes of young people, families, and the wider community. 

Safeguarding and Health and Safety 

• Carry out all duties with full regard for all Trust policies and procedures, particularly those relating to equality, safeguarding, health, safety and security, confidentiality, and data protection, reporting any concerns to an appropriate person. 
• To complete any Safeguarding Awareness training as required by the Trust. 
• Required for the role to undertake a DBS check and maintain annual membership through the update service. 
• Ensure that the play and youth environments and outside areas are clean, safe, and secure and to report defects where necessary. 
• Use, store, and maintain tools and equipment in line with Health and Safety best practice. 

General Duties 

• Have a flexible working approach which will require evenings, weekends, and shift work. 
• To comply with all Southmead Development Trust’s policies and procedures. 
• To model and encourage our values of: Positivity, Integrity, Excellence, Welcoming, Entrepreneurial, and to fulfil the wider vision of the Trust. 
• To promote good equal opportunities practices and to take positive steps to counter discrimination however and wherever it occurs. 
• Any other duties as and when required. 

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Qualifications

• Hold or be willing to work towards or willing to train for, a Level 2 Play Work or Youth Work qualification. 

Specific Skills/Knowledge

• Knowledge of and commitment Youth Work and/or Play Work principles. 
• An understanding of risks/issues in a play environment. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in a play setting. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion in a play setting. 
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and build relationships with children and young people and families from a diverse range of ethnic and social backgrounds. 
• Excellent team worker with strong communication skills and an ability to work with colleagues and volunteers. 

Attitude

• Ability to work independently and proactively to solve problems. 
• Enthusiasm for working with children, families, and young people. 
• Commitment to continual professional development. 

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Qualifications 

• GCSE Maths and English or equivalent. 
• Forest School qualifications. 
• Sports coaching qualification. 

Experience

• Skills – practical, creative, musical, craft, Forest School, sports. 
• An understanding of health and safety, safeguarding, and data protection 
• Ability to collect and record data both manually and using IT. 

Other

•  Knowledge of Southmead

Return to job advert HERE