Playworker

Oakwood School; Brownhills; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Oakwood School in Walsall is seeking a Playworker to provide self-directed play experiences across school premises, ensuring a secure, inclusive and stimulating environment for children aged 3-15 with complex educational needs.

Reporting to the Head of School, you will carry out playwork across lunchtimes, playgrounds and after-school sessions, plan opportunities, maintain positive relationships and uphold safeguarding and health-safety procedures.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Experience working with or caring for children in the relevant age groups.
• Familiarity with Playwork principles.
• Awareness of equality of opportunity and inclusive practice.
• Ability to promote and support self-directed play.
• Strong safeguarding, health-safety and emergency procedures knowledge.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with children, families, colleagues.
• Capability to support disabled children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Carry out playwork and facilitate free play across lunchtimes, playgrounds, after-school sessions and curriculum time outside of lessons.
• Plan, prepare and implement play opportunities based on children’s requests.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with children, young people and families.
• Apply safeguarding, health, safety and emergency procedures to protect all participants.
• Support disabled children and young people in the play environment through tailored planning and practice.
• Contribute to the provision of food and drink, and manage administrative tasks including financial transactions and record keeping.
• Support travel and supervision outside the school play environment.
• Reflect on practice and contribute to the wider playwork team’s development.

Skills

Excellent communication

Safeguarding knowledge

Self-directed play promotion

Equality & inclusion

Playwork principles

Support disabled children

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or equivalent qualification/experience

Job description

Job Title: Playworker

Location: Walsall

Oakwood School is a specialist provision for children and young people aged 3-15 years with complex educational needs.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Head of School, the Playworker is responsible for providing self‑directed play experiences across school premises, ensuring children’s secure, inclusive, and stimulating environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Carry out playwork and facilitate free play in lunchtimes, school playgrounds, after‑school sessions and curriculum time outside of lessons.
• Establish, plan, prepare and implement play opportunities based on children’s requests.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with children, young people and their families.
• Apply safeguarding, health, safety and emergency procedures to protect all participants.
• Support disabled children and young people in the play environment through tailored planning and practice.
• Contribute to the provision of food and drink, and manage administrative tasks including financial transactions and record keeping.
• Support travel and supervision outside the school play environment.
• Reflect on practice and contribute to the wider playwork team’s development.

Qualifications and Skills

• NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Experience working with or caring for children in the relevant age groups.
• Familiarity with and commitment to Playwork principles.
• Awareness of equality of opportunity and inclusive practice.
• Ability to promote and support freely chosen, self‑directed play.
• Strong safeguarding, health‑safety and emergency procedures knowledge.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building with children, families, colleagues.
• Capability to support disabled children and young people.

Pay range: Grade 3 SCP 4‑6

Equality and Diversity

The Mercian Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, mandating enhanced DBS checks and references for all appointments. The Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion, welcoming applications from all sections of the community.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.