The Children’s Society is a leading children’s charity committed to making childhood better. We work with children across the country, providing the right support at the right time. We commissioned The Good Childhood® Inquiry; the UK’s first independent national inquiry into childhood. Its aims were to renew society’s understanding of modern childhood and to inform, improve and inspire all our relationships with children.

We require Sessional Play Workers for our new Children’s Centres based in and around Bishops Waltham, Chandlers Ford, Hartney Wintney, Overton, Stockbridge and Hedge End, Hampshire where you’ll deliver sessional play/activity support with families. You’ll actively support the work of the Children’s Centre team and ensure all services are improving outcomes for children.

You’ll need experience of direct work with children and of work with a range of agencies. This should be complemented by an NVQ Level 3 or a recognised relevant professional qualification.

This contract is initially to 31st March 2011 with an option to extend until 31st March 2014.

Interviews will be held the end of September/early October.

All recruitment documents are available in alternative formats. Please note that CVs will not be accepted.

Charity Registration No. 221124
We strive to be an equal opportunities employer

Play Worker - Sessional

Location:

Range of venues across our Children’s Centres in Hampshire

Reward Band:

Project Staff I – SAN £8.30 - £9.46 per hour

CRB Level Required:

Enhanced

Reporting to:

Centre Co-ordinator

Job Purpose: 

• To understand the aims and objectives of the Children’s Centre programme and to implement them through the development of play, childcare and early learning
• To develop and deliver to the Early Years Foundation Stage
• To support parents in developing opportunities for play

Key Activities: 

• To deliver a range of play opportunities, in a variety of settings (indoor, outdoor, in homes and groups) within the Children’s Centres area in accordance with legislation and good practice guidelines
• To support a culture of excellence in play within the area through innovation, organisation, monitoring and review
• To lead by example and support trainees, volunteers and junior staff
• To support families in developing play opportunities
• To use play as a medium for supporting relationships and developing self-confidence, which will enable them to respond to the issues affecting them
• To assist in the development of models of participation to enable children’s voices to be heard in the evaluation and decision making process
• To work as a member of the Children’s Centres team towards the achievement of our goals and targets
• To contribute to the delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage
• To store and share information appropriately with regard for confidentiality and safe practice
• To assist in the process of strengthening and developing voluntary and community groups to provide better quality services for children and their families
• To work with children and young people to enable them to have a voice and influence in our work

Attainments:

In order to be considered for this post you will have to demonstrate that you already have:

Experience

• Experience of direct work with children and families from a range of background in a variety of settings
• Previous experience includes work with a range of agencies and would include for example the voluntary and statutory sectors

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 minimum recognised professional qualification in one of the following areas:
  • Childcare
  • Social work
  • Health
  • Education
  • Early years

Work based knowledge

• In depth knowledge and understanding of early years learning and child development within the context of the family
• Experience in working closely with and supporting families
• Understanding of ‘Every Child Matters’
• Understanding of child related legislation

Skills

• Excellent communicator, both written and oral
• Competent in the use of computers and software such as 
  • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • MS Outlook
• Excellent team player
• The ability to empathise with parents/carers and young children

Core Competencies:

In order to be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate that you have the ability to:

Providing service to others

• Provide services to others, internal and external
• Treats others with respect and dignity
• Complies with safeguarding requirements
• Works in partnership with children and young people

Communicating with others

• Communicate effectively with others in own area on day-to-day matters

Managing yourself

• Take steps to improve performance
• Takes initiative and is aware of own learning needs

Building and Maintaining Partnerships

• Maintain friendly, helpful and supportive relationships with immediate colleagues
• Participates fully in team activities

Agreeing and meeting targets

• Focus on what needs to be done
• Meet service and quality standards
• Act in line with specific directions

Innovation

• Improve work methods to achieve higher levels of efficiency
• Learns from experience

Leading others

• Participates fully as a member of a team

Managing resources

• Supports the efficient use and takes responsibility for sustaining of resources
• Shares relevant information with others

Safeguarding children and young people

• To be able to identify safeguarding issues
• Be able to report and describe safeguarding concerns to a line-manager

Special Job Circumstances:

This post has the following special circumstances:

• Travel within the area is a feature of this post as it will be required to transport equipment and visit a large number of families. For people with disabilities, access to suitable transport, and for others the use of a car, will be a requirement 
• Occasional travel within the Southern area is required
• Willingness to undergo training, which may involve overnight stays
• The post holder will be expected to be available to work evenings and weekends
• Hours will be planned in advance and compensated for by time off in lieu
• The post holder must comply with the Society’s policies and procedures at all times and attend training updates as required

(Please note: if you have difficulty meeting these conditions because of a disability or family circumstances the appointing manager will discuss it with you in order to consider reasonable adjustments to the job or working conditions)

Relevant Personal Characteristics:

So that you personally can succeed in this role and The Society you will require:

• An understanding and acceptance of the principles and values of the organisation
• At all times to carry out your responsibilities with due regard to The Children’s Society’s commitment to keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to keeping children and young people safe
• A commitment to diversity and equality in working relationships and practice
• To be flexible, adaptable and able to cope with changing priorities
• To work effectively within a multi agency team

Please state on your application form which location you are interested in - Bishops Waltham, Chandlers Ford, Hartney Wintney, Overton, Stockbridge or Hedge End.