Activity Ranger – Educational Play and Support Service, Active Reading

Local Government South East; Reading; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS

Life Assurance—3x annual salary

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice

25 days + bank holidays

Disability Confident Employer

UK driving licence required

Job summary

Reading Borough Council is seeking an enthusiastic Activity Ranger to join the Educational Play & Support Service at Active Reading. You will deliver play-based activities designed to improve the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of children and young people in Reading, including SEND provision and holiday activities.

The post is 34 hours per week, permanent, with typical hours 9:00am–3:30pm and some extended days during term time.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people, including those with special educational needs (SEN).
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, families and professionals.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and promote a wide range of activities to improve wellbeing.
• Support SEND provision, respite programmes and holiday activities.
• Work with families, schools and partner organisations to enable access to meaningful experiences.
• Create safe, inclusive, active learning opportunities across various settings.

Skills

Outdoor play

SEN experience

Communication

Creativity

Adaptability

Initiative

Team Reading

Tools

UK driving licence

Job description

• Part Time
• Permanent
• Reading
• Posted 5 days ago
• £24,284 to £26,713 Per year £ / Year
• Closes: 18 October 2026

Website Reading Borough Council

Part time – 34 Hours per week – Permanent

Are you passionate about helping children and young people build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging? Do you want to support children through play, positive relationships, outdoor learning, and meaningful experiences to change lives?

We are looking for an enthusiastic and energetic Activity Ranger to join our Educational Play & Support Service at Active Reading. This rewarding role involves supporting children and young people through play-based activities, SEND provision, respite opportunities, educational support, alternative provision programmes, sports, outdoor learning, and holiday activities in Reading.

Working with children and young people who have SEND, school avoidance, anxiety, caring responsibilities, or social and emotional challenges, you’ll use play, creativity, patience, and encouragement to help them develop confidence, life skills, friendships, and positive experiences. Every day is different, and no two children will need exactly the same approach.

Be part of a passionate team making a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people, and families.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About The Role

As an Activity Ranger, you’ll deliver and promote a wide variety of activities designed to improve the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of children and young people.

The post is contracted at 34 hours per week. Normal working hours are generally between 9:00am and 3:30pm; however, flexibility is required as the role includes two extended days per week during term time to facilitate Young Carers provision and other service activities.

Working predominantly at the Ranger Station but occasionally across parks, schools, community settings and outreach venues, you’ll help create safe, fun and inclusive opportunities that encourage young people to get active, learn new skills and enjoy outdoor play.

A key part of the role involves supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including respite care programmes such as young carer, one-to-one sessions during the day, sports coaching and structured play activities in school holidays.

You’ll work closely with families, schools and partner organisations to ensure every child can access enjoyable and meaningful experiences.

No two days are the same. One day you may be leading games in a local park, the next supporting a child in a school setting, planning holiday activities, or helping deliver a community event.

About You

You will have experience of working with children and young people, including children with special educational needs, ideally within community, playwork or similar settings.

You will understand child development, the principles of play and the importance of listening to and consulting with children and families.

You will be a confident communicator who can build positive relationships with children, young people and adults. You will also be creative, adaptable and able to use your initiative to deliver engaging activities with limited supervision.

We Are Particularly Looking For Someone Who

• Is passionate about outdoor play, sport and activities for children and young people
• Can create fun, safe and inclusive indoor activities
• Has experience supporting children and young people with SEN
• Can respond positively and constructively to challenging situations
• Has good organisational and project-planning skills
• Can work flexibly across different settings
• Is committed to safeguarding, health and safety and equality
• Holds a current, clean UK driving licence.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Benefits

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team – work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
• Drive Efficiency – show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
• Be Ambitious – be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
• Make a Difference to Reading – maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

Our Offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition are strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A Competitive Salary Alongside a Range Of Benefits Including

• Generous holiday entitlement – 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays – rising to 30 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years’ service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan – a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

For more information on this position please contact Daniel Peters, Reading Education Play and Support Service Manager at [e-mail]

Closing Date: Sunday 18th October 2026

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Setup: In person at Prospect Park Pavilion, Liebenrood Road, Reading, RG30 2ND