Job Introduction
Fantastic opportunity to join our Play & Youth service as a Play Development Deputy Site Leader!
30 hours per week on an annualised contracted hours basis
The Service:
The Play and Youth Service boasts 6 unique Adventure Playgrounds in Portsmouth which are wild gems tucked away in the corners of the city. They are places for children to test themselves, be loud, be messy, be silly, be creative… all the stuff that children excel in. Our Adventure Playgrounds have huge climbing structures designed to challenge agility, balance and imagination, and many have been co-designed and painted by the children themselves. There’s a whole host of exciting things for children to become involved in, including a variety of indoor and outdoor activities such as inventive games, sports, arts and crafts, creative and imaginative play, designed to challenge, delight and inspire. Our playgrounds are staffed by playworkers and are free of charge, free for children to come and go as they please and free for children to direct their own play experience.
The best way to learn about the service is to visit our PYC (Play, Youth & Communities) website - https://www.pycportsmouth.co.uk/
What is the role?
You will be the Play Development Deputy Site Leader based in one of PCC's 6 adventures playgrounds (APG), deputising for the Play Development Site Manager and supervising a small team in their absence ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed within the day to day running of an APG. The primary responsibility will be the delivery of high quality play activities which promote participation, inclusion and wellbeing. You’ll support children to follow their own ideas and interests for play as well as leading a variety of interesting and fun play activities. The role works on 30 hour per week annualised contract where the successful candidate works a total number of hours over the year, rather than a fixed number of hours per week or month. Please see the full job profile attached at the bottom of this page, which gives all details of what the role will involve!
Who is the Person?
The following qualities and experience are essential:
You should have:
- Understanding of children and young people’s differing needs and abilities.
- Ability to work with children face to face in a playful environment.
- Ability to work in a physically demanding role, with work predominantly outdoors on the adventure playground.
- Able to deliver a variety of play activities which can include (but not limited to): arts and crafts activities, sport activities, creative and imaginative play, gardening and nature based activities, fire and water play, self-build structures and supporting day trips and residential activities.
- Understanding of the importance of risk in play for children and young people.
- To be welcoming and approachable to children, young people, parents and other visitors, and to support partnership forming, extending and sustaining relationships.
- Able to work under pressure and manage conflict.
- Numeracy, literacy and communication skills, including the ability to use IT systems.
- Commitment to PYC and PCC policies, especially Health and Safety and Safeguarding.
- Able to work flexibly across the week Monday - Saturday and throughout school holidays and cover at any of the 6 Adventure Playgrounds.
The following would be desirable but not essential:
- Have some knowledge of maintenance and repairs; able to perform inspections of play structures and the playground space, and carry out remedial repairs and ongoing maintenance.
- A clean full driving license, with MIDAS.
An annualised 30 hours per week contract requires working between 18 - 26 hours per week Mon - Sat during term time and 37 hours per week during school holidays. The role requires minimal leave to be taken in school holidays and therefore we allow at a maximum five consecutive days to be taken in the school summer holidays, and a further five days which can be taken in separate denominations within other school holiday periods. The role involves evening and weekend working within a 6-day rota Mon - Sat.
When completing the application form, please thoroughly tailor your application to the 'Who is the Person' points with the use of examples from your experience. This is really important or you are likely not to be shortlisted. The full job profile is attached at the bottom of this page!
About Portsmouth City Council
What we can offer you:
Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800
