Playworker Apprentice

Lets Play Bristol Ltd

Bristol, BS10 5BD

Closes in 9 days (Wednesday 1 January)

Posted on 2 December 2024


Summary

Are you passionate about working with children? Join us as a Play Worker Level 2 Apprentice! Gain hands-on experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

Annual wage
£9,984 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Playworker (level 2)
Hours
To be confirmed at interview stage. Hours could include 16/30 hours per week

30 hours a week

Possible start date

Friday 17 January

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Role Overview:
As a Play Worker Level 2 Apprentice, you will be an integral part of delivering engaging, fun, and safe activities for children in our care. This role provides hands-on experience and professional development, allowing you to gain valuable skills while working towards your Level 2 Playwork qualification.

How the Role Fits Within the Organisation:
This position is key to our mission of creating safe, inspiring environments where children can learn, play, and grow. As a Play Worker Apprentice, you will support the team in running sessions, building relationships with children and their families, and ensuring high-quality play experiences are consistently delivered.

Specific Area/Department/Team:
You will join our vibrant, friendly playwork team, working closely with experienced Play Workers and Supervisors. Based at Fairalwn Primary School, Sefton Park Infants and Juniors, and/or Horfield CofE, you will collaborate with colleagues who are passionate about making a positive impact on children’s lives.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist in planning and delivering structured play activities that promote creativity, social skills, and physical development.
Supervise children to ensure their safety and wellbeing at all times.
Set up and maintain play spaces, ensuring they are clean, safe, and engaging.
Support children of all abilities to feel included and valued during activities.
Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues.
Learn and apply safeguarding policies and procedures.
Complete on-the-job training and coursework as part of the Level 2 Playwork apprenticeship program.
Reporting and Interactions:

Reporting to: You will report directly to your designated Supervisor or venue lead, who will oversee your training and provide daily guidance.
Daily Interactions: You will work closely with other Play Workers, interact with children and their families, and collaborate with site coordinators or managers to ensure the smooth delivery of activities.
This role is a great opportunity to start a career in playwork, while receiving support and mentorship from a dedicated team. We’re excited to welcome someone enthusiastic, eager to learn, and passionate about making a difference in children’s lives!

What We Offer:
We’re committed to providing an enriching and rewarding experience for our apprentices. Here’s why you should join our team:

Earn While You Learn: Competitive pay of £6.40 - £9.50 per hour, based on experience and qualifications. This will naturally progress to the national minimum wage after your first year.
Flexible Working Hours: Part-time hours of 16 to 30 hours per week.
Great Benefits Package:Opportunities to participate in company events.
Access to a company pension for your future.
Sick pay for added security.
A welcoming team that values your growth and contributions.
Your Role as a Play Worker Apprentice:
As a Play Worker Apprentice, you will:

Support the delivery of fun, engaging activities that inspire children’s creativity and confidence.
Assist in providing a safe and inclusive play environment for all children.
Develop communication and teamwork skills by working with children, parents, and colleagues.
Gain hands-on experience while learning the practical aspects of playwork.
Work towards achieving your Level 2 qualification in Playwork.
What We’re Looking For:

A passion for working with children and a positive, can-do attitude.
A willingness to learn and grow as part of a supportive team.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
A commitment to safeguarding and promoting children’s wellbeing.
No prior experience is necessary—this apprenticeship is your opportunity to learn, grow, and make a difference!

Where you’ll work

Bishop Manor Road

Westbury-On-Trym

Bristol

BS10 5BD

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

Your training course

Playworker (level 2)

Equal to GCSE

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.
  • 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.

Your training plan

The training will consist of online learning, webinars, practical sessions and workplace visits. On completion you will achieve a Level 2 Playworker qualification and Functional Skills if needed.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

  • Maths (grade A*-C/4-9)
  • English (grade A*-C/4-9)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

The salary range will be discussed at the interview stage and will depend on experience and qualifications. Driving licence is desirable, but not essential, as long as you can travel as required for the business needs.

About this company

We are a sports coaching provider that deliver PE & sports within schools, community programmes & oliday camps.

After this apprenticeship

teaching assistant apprenticeship,
Skill teacher apprenticeship,
Team leader apprenticeship,
Operations manager apprenticeship,
Full/Part time Play working role.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000290156.

Apply now

Closes in 9 days (Wednesday 1 January)

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