SENIOR COMMUNITY PLAYWORKER

We are looking for a motivated, passionate and dynamic individual to join the Crawley Play Service team. The successful candidate will lead and supervise a team of Community Outreach Play Workers, to plan, coordinate and manage the delivery of an excellent and high-quality outreach play programme within the local community which supports the achievement of better outcomes for children, young people and families 

You will be responsible for planning and delivering a successful play streets (playing out) model across the town to identified areas with high numbers of children and young people.

The role will involve ensuring that all Crawley Borough Council Play Service policies and procedures are adhered to as well as the effective administration of paperwork including staffing arrangements, sessions plans, registers, monitoring and evaluation of activities against agreed outcomes for the service. 

The successful candidate will plan and deliver a stimulating and creative outreach programme in fixed locations across Crawley, such as playing fields, unsupervised play areas, schools, neighbourhood hotspot areas and youth clubs.

The Senior Playworker will manage the delivery of targeted outreach across Crawley which responds to incidents and issues quickly and creatively. This will provide diversion and safety for children and young people encouraging them to make positive life choices.

The successful individual will regularly attend key partnership meetings and have the confidence and initiative to engage with parents, children and young people in a friendly and professional manner to help build strong positive relationships in the community. 

You will need to have experience of managing a small team, working with children and young people providing play/youth opportunities through outreach, in different settings and locations within the community.

Normal working hours will be 30 hours a week Monday to Friday.

Term time – 20 hours will be supporting the team with the delivery of outreach between 14:30-19:30 Monday to Thursday with the remaining hours for administration and partnership working to be worked flexibly over the week.

Holiday periods – Hours to be worked across the week as needed supporting the team with delivery.

You will be expected to work weekend days as and when required for which a 14% enhancement in pay for those hours worked at the weekend will be paid in line with the Community Services Local Pay Agreement. You will also receive time off in lieu (TOIL) to be taken within the week's hours.

A minimum of 25 hours will be direct delivery of outreach.

A full current UK driving licence will be a requirement of the role.

Satisfactory clearance of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Check (DBS) will be a condition of your employment.

We offer a generous employee benefits package, with a range of discounts, benefits and wellbeing incentives to suit everyone.

Our shared values and behaviours reflect the special nature of our council. We encourage all colleagues to put them into practice, whatever job they do. Take a look to see if we are the perfect match.

Crawley Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer of first choice reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all under represented groups.

Click the Apply button to complete your application online. Please ensure that the reference details you supply are for your current or most recent employer and that any gaps in employment are covered on your application form. Please note that CVs will not be accepted without a fully completed application form.

For an informal conversation or further information regarding the role, email vikki.jacobs@crawley.gov.uk, Community Development Officer or call 01293 438565.