OPAL Playworker (Midday Supervisor Assistant)

Welland Academy; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 12,398 - 16,531; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits marketplace

Wellbeing companion

Employee Assistance Programme

MHFA training

CPD & Apprenticeships

Public sector pension

Eye care discounts

Family friendly policies

ECT support

Childcare savings

Annual leave

Pay progression

Free parking

Job summary

Welland Academy in Peterborough is seeking a dedicated lunchtime Play Worker to join the OPAL team. The role involves supporting and facilitating child-initiated play during the school day in line with play procedures.

You will work 12:15pm–13:30pm, Monday to Friday, with planning and OPAL team meetings potentially requiring overtime. The post supports safeguarding and contributes to pupils' social and behavioural development.

Qualifications

• Variety of communication skills to respond to children's needs.
• Empathy and understanding of children's abilities.
• Patience and a good sense of humour.
• Flexibility to work with children aged 4–11 years.
• Willingness to go the extra mile for the children in care.
• Desirable previous experience with children in education or play work.

Responsibilities

• Ensure well-being of pupils.
• Provide diverse, accessible play resources in all weathers.
• Create opportunities for play to support social and behavioural development.
• Deliver play interventions for pupils challenging positive behaviour choices.
• Create enriching play events or opportunities.
• Support the Play Co-ordinator with new ideas.
• Assess risk and respond appropriately.
• Review activities to promote self-evaluation and play development.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Patience

Flexibility

Willingness to go the extra mile

Experience with children

Job description

We are looking for a dedicated and professional lunchtime play worker to join our OPAL team at Welland Academy. The Play Worker will support and facilitate meaningful and productive child‑initiated play during the school day in accordance with the play procedures.

You will be working from 12:15pm – 13:30pm Monday to Friday with the play team and support from the Play Co‑ordinator to deliver safe and imaginative play times for children.

There may be planning and OPAL team meetings, for which overtime will be given.

Responsibilities

• Ensure well‑being of pupils
• Ensure a diverse range of playable resources are provided for, and are accessible to, all children in all weathers
• Create opportunities for play to support the social and behavioural development of pupils
• Provide engaging play work interventions for pupils who find positive behaviour choices challenging
• Ensure enriching play events or opportunities are created
• Provide ideas and support the Play Co‑ordinator in implementing new ideas
• Be able to assess risk and respond appropriately
• Review activities to promote self‑evaluation and play development

Qualifications & Attributes

• A variety of communication skills to respond to the needs of the child
• Empathy and understanding of children’s individual abilities
• Patience and a good sense of humour
• Flexibility to work with children aged 4‑11 years
• Willingness to go the extra mile for the children in their care
• Prior experience of working with children in an educational or play work setting is desirable

Benefits

• A comprehensive package of benefits via our benefits marketplace
• A free digital wellbeing companion for all colleagues
• A free, 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme – confidential & compassionate support when you need it
• Train & qualify as a Mental Health First Aider. We aim to have a qualified Mental Health First Aider in each academy
• Supporting your professional development through CPD, Apprenticeships, Upskilling and Professional Review
• Generous public sector pension schemes for everyone
• Eye tests & Spectacles Discount
• Family friendly policies and time off for dependants
• Dedicated ECT support programme
• Access to savings in childcare costs
• Generous annual leave allocation
• Automatic pay progression
• Free parking on all sites
• Principles on workload & directed time for teaching staff
• Professional Supervision for Academy Leaders

If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts will be subject to receipt of satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, medical and reference checks. All pre‑employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education".

The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.

All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.