Job Introduction
Working 9.45am-1pm and 2pm-5.45pm (7 hours) either:
21 hours a week (either Monday-Wednesday or Thursday-Saturday) or
28 hours a week (either Monday-Thursday or Wednesday-Saturday)
Please indicate in your application which shift pattern would be your first and second choice.
Portsmouth City Council's Play and Youth Service run six adventure playgrounds in the city. The 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. For further information on Portsmouth City Council's adventure playgrounds please see the attached Adventure Playground Brief.
We are looking for dynamic, proactive people to join our teams for the summer holidays, engaging with children, young people and families whilst delivering rich play experiences. You will be required to attend mandatory training prior to starting the role for which you will be paid. Training will take place on Thursday 23rd July, 10am - 4:30pm.
The Role:
- Deliver and engage children, young people and families in rich and varied play opportunities.
- Respond with empathy and perception to the play needs of children and young people.
- Recognise the responsibility of being a positive role model for young people, and the integrity and professionalism required to do that.
- Create and contribute to a culture and working practices that recognise, respect and value differences.
- Implement safeguarding and health and safety policies and procedures.
- Conduct site and equipment inspections to check that they are fit for purpose, and support in maintaining a clean, safe environment, reporting any issues to the playground manager.
- Observe and reflect on children's play and social interactions, using these reflections to know when and how best to intervene.
Who is the person?
You need:
- To be aged 16 or over.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to adapt communication consistent with different levels of understanding, culture, background and preferences.
- An understanding of safeguarding children.
- A willingness to bring your own interests, skills, experiences and personality to enrich the play opportunities for children and young people.
- An empathic, inquisitive, and creative approach to engaging and working with children and young people as part of a small team.
- An ability to build positive, respectful relationships with children, young people and their families whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
About Portsmouth City Council
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.
We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.
Our recruitment process
Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal
You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.
Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a large number of applications. We may arrange interviews as the advert goes along.
We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal
You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.
Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's 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. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.
You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.
Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800.
