Bluestones Staffing
BSNI is working with Belfast City Council to recruit staff for their role as Assistant Play Worker – Social Care Qualified. This role is temporary. The post holder will be required to travel between play centres with no fixed site.
Location: 4-10 Linen hall Street, Belfast, BT2 8BP, United Kingdom.
Hours: £13.91 phr
Duration: 12 weeks.
Target start date: 13th June 2025
Main purpose of job:
To be responsible to the Play Worker for the day-to-day planning and implementation of a structured and comprehensive play programme.
To support and resource play-work provision and practice within the council, unit and section.
To deputise for the Play Worker when necessary
Summary of responsibilities and personal duties
- To implement and evaluate a programme of play activities to promote the social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional development of children and to work in the interest of children at all times, in accordance with their ages and stages of development as directed by the play-worker.
- To contribute to promoting and maintaining a safe, inclusive and child centred environment.
- To contribute to the health, well-being and protection of children from abuse by adhering to the relevant child protection policies
- To be responsible for the safety and well-being of children while in the confines of the play project and during all organised activities outside the play environment.
- To establish and maintain stable relationships with children, parents, voluntary workers, agency workers and other relevant stakeholders within the remit of the play project.
- To assist with the promotion and delivery of community fundraising events.
- To assist with promoting and implementing community participation in the life of and use of the play project.
- To assist in maintaining a safe child centred environment.
- To keep the play-environment clean and tidy and maintain equipment safely.
- To contribute as required to ensuring the health and safety of staff and public within the play-environment.
- To administer first aid as required.
- To act as a key-holder for the premises out of hours.
- To deputise for the Play Worker as and when required within the post-holder’s sphere of responsibility.
- To prepare and arrange materials and resources for children’s use.
- To assist in organising and creatively implementing special programmes, projects, festivals and seasonal play-schemes.
- To contribute to play-work development strategies and policies in co-operation with the Play Worker and Play Development Officer.
- To promote good practice and provide quality information to the public.
- To attend staff meetings as required.
- To undertake training which may be required to discharge any duties.
- To contribute to a teamwork approach within the service, to ensure delivery of the Community Support Plan and corporate objectives.
- To participate in all induction and in-service training provided by Belfast City Council and in the induction and support of all newly appointed staff and other human resource management policies and procedures, as appropriate, including, absence management, disciplinary and grievance procedures.
- To act in accordance with the council and departmental policies and procedures including customer care, equal opportunities, health and safety, safeguarding and any pertinent legislation.
- To undertake the duties in such a way as to enhance and protect the reputation and public profile of the council.
- To undertake such other relevant duties as may from time to time be required.
This job description has been written at a time of significant organisational change and it will be subject to review and amendment as the demands of the role and the organisation evolve. Therefore, the post-holder will be required to be flexible, adaptable and aware that they may be asked to perform tasks, duties and responsibilities which are not specifically detailed in the job description but which are commensurate with the role.
Essential criteria
Qualifications
Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application forms, have an NVQ Level II in Play Work, Child Care or equivalent qualification.
Experience
Applicants must, as at the closing date for receipt of application form, be able to demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples on the application form, that they have at least one year’s relevant experience of working with children in a community play setting.
Special skills and attributes
Applicants must demonstrate evidence of the following special skills and attributes which may be tested at interview:
Technical knowledge and skills
An understanding of the legal responsibilities and practical aspects of play work practice.
Communication skills
The ability to communicate effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing, for example, by responding to the needs of children, parents and voluntary workers.
Work planning skills
The ability to effectively plan, prioritise and organise.
Health and safety knowledge
An understanding of health and safety responsibilities of the post to ensure the safety of employees and members of the public.
Customer care skills
The ability to deal with the public in a tactful and sensitive manner.
Initiative and team working skills
The ability to work on own initiative and as a member of a team.
Short-listing criterion
In addition to the above qualifications and experience, Belfast City Council reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants who, as at the closing date for receipt of applications, can demonstrate, by providing personal and specific examples on the application form, that they have at least two years’ relevant experience of working with children in a community play setting.
Applicants MUST have an NVQ Level II in Play Work, Child Care or equivalent qualification.
For further information please contact Jessica on 02895219313
BSNI is an acting Recruitment Agency