Playworker Apprentice

We are looking for enthusiastic and caring individuals with a passion for working with children. As a Playworker Apprentice, you will support the delivery of engaging, safe and inclusive before-school, after-school and holiday club sessions, helping children learn, develop and have fun through play.

As an apprentice, you'll work within schools and gain valuable hands-on experience alongside experienced staff while developing the skills and knowledge required to become a qualified Playworker.

What you'll do at work

The role of a Playworker Apprentice includes:

• Assist in delivering high-quality before-school, after-school and holiday club sessions.
• Support children's learning, development and wellbeing through play.
• Create a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for children.
• Encourage children's creativity, confidence and independence.
• Help set up and pack away play equipment and resources.
• Work closely with colleagues to ensure safeguarding and health & safety procedures are followed.
• Complete 6 hours of off-the-job training each week as part of your apprenticeship.

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:

• Southam Road, Banbury, OX16 2EG
• Highfield Road, Kettering, NN15 6HY
• Thurston Drive, Kettering, NN15 6PB
• Derngate, Northampton, NN1 1TY
• Spring Lane, Northampton, NN1 2JW

Training provider

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

Training course

Playworker (level 2)

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.
• Recognize the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
• Recognize 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.
• Recognize 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.
• Recognize 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.