Deputy Playground Manager

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is recruiting a Playworker to support the Playground Manager in day-to-day operations, overseeing staff, resources, and safety. You will engage children, young people and families in varied play, respond with empathy, promote safeguarding, and work with partners to embed the playground in the community.

You will model professional boundaries, adapt communication for diverse audiences, and be able to work flexibly including weekends and school holidays.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and safeguarding knowledge to promote welfare.
• Ability to engage children and families with varied play opportunities.
• Empathetic, inquisitive approach to working with children and young people.
• Ability to build positive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Knowledge of play and playwork, risk in play, and reflective practice.

Responsibilities

• Support the Playground Manager in day-to-day operations, including staff oversight and safety.
• Deputise in the manager’s absence and act as site lead, attending meetings.
• Deliver and engage children, young people and families in varied play opportunities.
• Respond with empathy and professional boundaries; promote safeguarding with contextual focus.
• Engage with families and agencies to embed the playground within the community.

Skills

Communication

Safeguarding

Engagement

Empathy

Relationship-building

Relational/restorative

Play knowledge

Flexibility

Resilience

Numeracy/Literacy/IT

Work-life balance

Adaptability

Observational skills

Education

Recognised playwork qualification

MIDAS qualification

First aid qualification

Driving licence (clean)

Carpentry/structure skills

Food Hygiene certificate

Job description

Support the Playground Manager in the day-to-day running of the playground, including oversight of staff, resources, site, health and safety, and safeguarding. Deputise for the Playground Manager in their absence, being the site responsible person, managing staff, attending meetings and ensuring quality service delivery. 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. Work respectfully with children and their families, responding positively to diversity and promoting a positive peer culture. Recognise the choice that young people make to engage with us, the privileged and unique relationships between young people and playworkers and build on these relationships whilst maintaining professional boundaries. Use safeguarding knowledge and experience alongside professional curiosity to promote the welfare of children through robust safeguarding procedures with a contextual focus. Engage with children, families, and internal and external agencies to embed the playground within its community.

Skills:

• Strong communication skills with the ability to adapt communication consistent with different levels of understanding, culture, background and preferences.
• Have safeguarding knowledge and experience to promote the welfare of children through robust safeguarding procedures with a contextual focus.
• 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.
• The ability to build positive, respectful relationships with children, young people and their families whilst maintaining professional boundaries.
• The skills to use relational and restorative practice, recognising that children communicate with a range of different behaviours and having an awareness of your own limitations.
• Knowledge and understanding of play and playwork, reflective practice and the importance of risk in play.
• The ability to meet the physical and mental demands of the role, acknowledging that the role can be as challenging as it is rewarding.
• The ability to deliver and engage children, young people and families in rich and varied play opportunities.
• To be approachable and interested in the children and their world, using relational authenticity to support this.
• To be able to work under pressure and manage conflict.
• High level numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
• To be able to work flexibly throughout the week, including on Saturdays and throughout school holidays across the service.

Desirable qualifications:

• A recognised playwork qualification.
• A clean, full driving licence.
• A MIDAS qualification.
• A first aid qualification.
• Carpentry and structure building skills to support child led self-build projects.
• Relevant specialist skills for example sports, arts, crafts, carpentry and structure building, additional language(s), alternative communication systems, a Food Hygiene certificate.