Playworker Apprentice

About the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual (aged 18 or over, due to Ofsted regulations) to work within local community settings, including schools and holiday camps. Working alongside our team, you will be responsible for caring for and supporting children in play.

What You'll Do at Work

• Set up learning spaces, including moving equipment
• Assist in monitoring and maintaining a safe environment
• Assist with planning, preparing, and delivering a high-quality playing environment
• Provide comprehensive care for children of all ages
• Support and maintain the logging of confidential records
• Support children with literacy and numeracy
• Help maintain good relationships with schools, parents, and children
• Follow safeguarding procedures and ensure child welfare is a priority
• Contribute to team discussions and continuous professional development

Where You'll Work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• Sandringham Road, London, E7 8ED
• 23 Marshgate Lane, London, E20 2AA
• Pitchford Street, London, E15 4RZ
• Monega Road, London, E12 6TT
• Clissold Road, London, N16 9EX
• Cranmer Road, London, E7 0JW
• Sebert Road, London, E7 0NJ
• Devas Street, London, E3 3LL
• Park Grove, London, E15 3QT

What You'll Learn

Course contents:

• Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
• Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
• Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
• Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
• Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
• Contribute to play audits.
• Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
• Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
• Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
• Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
• Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
• Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
• Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
• Contribute to health and safety checks.
• Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
• Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
• Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
• Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
• Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
• Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
• Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
• Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
• Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
• Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
• Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
• Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.