Playwork Practitioner

Job Description

Please email pass223@icloud.com for an application pack or call 07419374670 to find out more information.

Purpose of Job

The purpose of the Practitioner is to contribute to children’s wellbeing and development by facilitating and supporting high quality play experiences, whilst building strong relationships with children and their families with a focus on dignity and respect.

You will nurture and protect children by supporting the team to provide a positive, caring and stimulating environment.

Responsibilities

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our children, as well as staff, families and visitors is paramount. As part of the staff team, you will have the responsibility to maintain a safe environment, whilst promoting the health of the children within your care. You will be expected to:

· Risk assess – Formally and dynamically assess play, equipment, facilities and situations for potential risk that could harm children and any other people within the service, as well as potential damage to equipment and facilities. However, along with assessing for risk, you will be expected to assess for benefits to ensure children are accessing all the benefits that play has to offer.

· Report – You will be expected to report any health or safety issues to management.

· Promote health and wellbeing - use your knowledge of the Health and Social Care Standards, SSSC Codes of Practice, Health and Safety at Work Act, Girfec and SHANARRI frameworks and other best practice guidance documents, you will implement excellent informed practice to ensure you are promoting the health and wellbeing of children through your interactions, play facilitation, personal plans and more.

· Supervise children – General supervision of children to ensure they are having a good time whilst being kept safe. This will include being aware of safe staff:child ratios.

· First Aid, Medical and Behavioural concerns – ensure you are implementing safe first aid practice, are aware of medical needs, additional support needs and behavioural needs of every child.

· Infection Prevention and Control – follow infection prevention and control measures to limit the spread of illness.

Play and Activities

If the health and safety of our children is number one priority, our next priority is to ensure our children are experiencing high quality play and activities. To support this, you will:

· Plan, prepare and facilitate activities based on consultation with our children, your own skills and interests and the free play that happens naturally.

· Support other staff who are leading activities.

· Develop your knowledge and understanding of play, as well as learn new skills to help broaden the types of play you are competent facilitating.

· Support children to experience new and different play types.

· Spend time outside in all weather conditions to support outdoor play.

Food Hygiene

The service provides snacks to our children, as well as facilitating food-based activities such as cooking and baking. You will be expected to:

· Prepare and serve snacks to the children in line with food hygiene guidance and legislation.

· Be aware of children’s food allergies, and ensure dietary requirements are met.

· Uphold excellent food hygiene, cleanliness, tidiness and storage.

Communication

Communication is key to ensuring our service runs smoothly. You will be expected to communicate effectively with children, parents/carers, staff, management, school staff and other professionals by:

· Confidently engaging with all parties verbally.

· In writing, create clear reports to detail accidents and incidents.

· Attend staff meetings to share your views on practice and development of the service.

· Build strong relationships with children to learn how to best communicate with them as individuals as well as in groups.

Training and Development

You will be expected to work toward consistent development by:

· Attending training session.

· Attending support, supervision and appraisal meetings with your line manager.

· Use reflective practice to understand how you can develop your approach to certain situations to improve the chance of positive outcomes.

Confidentiality

You will be expected to respect and promote the privacy of children, parents and staff. You will treat information with the upmost confidence, and will not divulge personal or financial details obtained in the course of work with third parties.

Other

· You will be expected to have a sound understanding of the organisation’s policies and procedures, and implement them into your practice at all times.

· You will be expected to carry out any other appropriate duties, tasks and responsibilities assigned to you by your line manager.