Deputy Play Manager

Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists; Greater London; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Winch in Swiss Cottage, Camden, seeks a Deputy Play Manager to join its Play team and wider management group. You will plan, deliver and evaluate after-school and holiday play provisions for children aged 4-11, ensuring alignment with the charity's mission and values.

The role involves leading staff and volunteers, deputising for the Play Manager, and contributing to community-based activities at 21 Winchester Road, NW3 3NR. Permanent contract, 40 hours per week, start December 2024.

Responsibilities

• The Deputy Play Manager is a key member of the Play team, and the wider Winch management team. They work closely with the Play Manager, to plan, deliver and evaluate the provision for children, ensuring it contributes effectively towards the Winch’s mission, values and goals. The Deputy Play Manager helps lead and manage the staff and volunteers, deputising fo

Job description

Introducing the Winch

The Winch is a dynamic children and young persons’ charity in Swiss Cottage, Camden. Founded in 1973, when our community repurposed a formerly derelict pub, as a much needed community space, we now engage and work with over 2,000 children, young people and families each year.

The Winch delivers a cradle to community pipeline of opportunity, through family support, play, youth-led, sports and social action programmes, working alongside children, young people and parents to develop their strengths, skills and sense of belonging of purpose. To make Camden a great place to live, learn and grow up in for all, we help people to read, create and connect at Belsize Community Library and back community-led change through the North Camden Zone.

Play at the Winch

We believe that play is essential to a happy and thriving childhood. Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that “every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts”. Too often, children are denied these opportunities.

For over 25 years, the Winch has provided after school club and holiday play schemes to thousands of children, aged 4-11, and their families in Camden. Our after-school provision runs every day at the Winch, from 3pm to 6pm during term-time and for nine weeks a year during the school holidays. We are Ofsted registered and currently graded ‘outstanding’.

We follow a play-based approach, which is different from and complementary to formal schooling. With love and care, and through the knowledge, expertise and experience of our professional play team, we help children enjoy childhood in the present moment and to grow into their futures. We balance child-initiated play; in which children have autonomy to choose, shape and control their own experiences; and adult-initiated developmental opportunities, where children receive guidance, encouragement and support. We appreciate each individual child, their interests, skills and abilities. We travel with them as they navigate the excitement, disappointment, discoveries and challenges of childhood.

At the Winch, we pride ourselves on being far more than provision. We emphasise building authentic, trusting and lasting relationships with children and their families. Play is at the heart of the Winch, and it shapes how we work as children and families transition through each stage of their growing lives.

Job Title

Deputy Play Manager

Salary

£34,000

Hours

40 hours per week/42.5 hours Holiday Play Schemes

Contract

Permanent

Probation

Six Months

Accountable to

Play Manager

Start Date

December 2024

Location

21 Winchester Road, Camden NW3 3NR

Summary

The Winch works to help each child succeed, regardless of their circumstances, by giving them the opportunity and support they need. As part of its provision for children from birth into adulthood, the Winch delivers after school and holiday play schemes for children aged 4-11 years.

Job Description

The Deputy Play Manager is a key member of the Play team, and the wider Winch management team. They work closely with the Play Manager, to plan, deliver and evaluate the provision for children, ensuring it contributes effectively towards the Winch’s mission, values and goals. The Deputy Play Manager helps lead and manage the staff and volunteers, deputising fo