Job Introduction
Salary: £14.18 per hour
Casual work as & when required Monday - Saturday between 25th July - 2nd September 2025, with the possibility of further work through out the year
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?
We are looking for an enthusiastic fun and friendly person who has the ability to engage with children and their families, is able to be proactive and meet the needs of the children on an adventure playground.
You will be supporting activities for children aged 6 -13 over the summer holidays at council run Adventure Playgrounds in the Portsmouth area and the Leigh Park Play in the Park project. Activities include Arts & Crafts, Sports and other creative activities. You will be engaging and communicating with children from varying backgrounds as well as interacting with their parents and your own colleagues. You will also be responsible for ensuring the sites are a safe environment for children to play in and report any potential dangers.
You will be required to attend some mandatory training prior to starting the role which you will be paid for. The location and dates can be flexible to suit your availability. From the 25th July you will be working on the adventure playground in the Portsmouth area on a casual basis between 10.00am - 6.00pm Monday - Saturday.
Who is the person?
You need to:
- Be aged 18 or over.
- Demonstrate an understanding for Safeguarding children in this role
- Be self-motivated and have enthusiasm to support creative activities for children.
- Be able to relate to younger people.
- Have good communication skills. You will be talking to a wide range of people including children, parents, and colleagues.
- Be a team player who can work in small teams effectively.
- Be flexible enough to be based in any of the play provisions throughout Portsmouth and the surrounding area.
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.
We will shortlist and interview as the advert goes along, and close the advert when we have enough suitable applications.
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
