Playworker

Do you see yourself making a real difference in young people’s lives?

Can you use your experience to inspire and support the next generation?

Does the idea of joining a dynamic and impactful service excite you?

If yes, we have the perfect role for you!

Our Play Team are looking for 4 passionate and dedicated Playworkers to join our amazing team and help make a difference today.

About the Role:

As a Playworker, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, inclusive, and engaging activities for young people across the borough. You will support the planning and delivery of programmes within youth centres and community spaces, helping young people develop confidence, skills, and positive relationships.

You will work both independently and as part of a wider team, ensuring services are safe, accessible, and responsive to the needs of young people. Regular supervision and support will be provided to enable you to deliver a modern, customer-focused service.

About You:

We are looking for someone who is enthusiastic, committed, and passionate about working with young people.

You will demonstrate:

• Experience of working with young people in a community, youth work, or play setting
  
  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
  
  
• Ability to build positive, trusting relationships with young people
  
  
• Commitment to inclusion, equality, and safeguarding
  
  
• A flexible and proactive approach to work
  
  
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
  
  
• Relevant qualifications in youth work, play work, childcare, or a related field (desirable).

About the Team

The Youth & Play Service is dedicated to providing positive activities for young people aged 11 to 19 (up to 25 with SEN), alongside adventure playground provision for children aged 8 to 15.

We deliver services across a range of youth centres and adventure playgrounds throughout the borough, alongside key initiatives such as the Youth Parliament, commissioned grants programmes, and our digital youth offer (One Hub).

Our team works collaboratively with partners across the statutory and voluntary sectors to ensure no young person is left behind. We are passionate about placing young people at the heart of service design, empowering them to influence decisions and reach their full potential.

Joining our team means becoming part of a supportive, forward-thinking environment with opportunities for professional development and growth.

For detailed qualifications and requirements, please review the job description and person specification located at the bottom of the advert.

Contact Information:

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Angela Barrett at angela.barrett@southwark.gov.uk.

Additional Information:

• Relevant qualifications in youth work, play work, childcare, or a related field (desirable).
  
  
• Hours of work, 22 hours per week.
  
  
• X 4 permanent positions.

This post requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at Enhanced – Children’s (Barred) level.

Benefits and more information:

https://jobs.southwark.gov.uk/why-us/

Recruitment Timeline:

Advert close date: 11:59pm on Saturday 1st August 2026.

Shortlisting date: Monday 3rd August 2026.

Interview date: Monday 10th August 2026.

The closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. We strongly advise you to complete your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together initiative. We particularly welcome applications from members of the black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

About Southwark:

We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises, and we have a young, diverse and growing population.

At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.

Attachments

• Job Description and Person Specification - Playworker