Playworker

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Part time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking a Playground Activity Leader to organise and deliver activities for children aged 6–13 across council-run Adventure Playgrounds. The role includes arts, crafts, games, and sports, while ensuring safety and inclusivity in a dynamic, community-focused setting.

You will work up to 30 hours per week on an annualised contract, with a rota including weekends and evenings, and you may need to travel between six playgrounds. DBS checks apply.

Qualifications

• Be aged 16 or over.
• Relate to younger people aged 6–13.
• Show enthusiasm to support physical and creative activities.
• Communicate well with children, parents and colleagues.
• Handle conflict and work under pressure.
• Demonstrate safeguarding awareness.
• Understand Health and Safety regulations.
• Be flexible to work across all playgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Organise and run activities for children aged 6–13 and families.
• Deliver arts, crafts, games, sports and imaginative play.
• Engage with children from diverse backgrounds and their families.
• Maintain a safe play environment and report hazards.
• Support development of the playground in line with PCC policies.
• Work as part of the Adventure Playground staff team.

Skills

Relate to youth

Communication

Team player

Self-motivated

Safeguarding

Health & Safety

Flexible locations

Job description

Working Hours:

30

Location:

Any of our 6 Adventure Playgrounds which are located between PO1 - PO6

Closing Date:

13/10/2026

Job Category:

Play Work

Region / Division:

UK Region

Directorate:

Housing, Neighbourhood & Building Services

Job Introduction

Hours: 30 hours per week on annualised hours contract usually working a rota between 18 and 37 hours per week including weekends and evenings. Peak demand for service is during school holidays with no more than equivalent of 5 days leave to be taken in the summer holidays and no more than equivalent of 10 days leave to be taken in school holidays per leave year. The service is open Monday to Saturday. A limited amount of 6 day/week working is required to ensure rota cover.

Are you passionate about creating unforgettable experiences for children and families? Join our dynamic team at a council-run Adventure Playground, where every day is packed with creativity, energy, and fun! As a Playground Activity Leader, you’ll be at the heart of the action - organising and delivering a wide range of exciting activities for children aged 6 to 13 . From arts and crafts to sports, games, and imaginative play, you’ll help bring joy and adventure to every session.

You’ll engage with children from diverse backgrounds, build positive relationships with families, and work closely with your teammates to create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe play environment . You’ll also play a key role in maintaining site safety and reporting any potential hazards. Beyond the day-to-day fun, you’ll support the development of the playground itself - helping a space that reflects the needs and voices of local children, all while following Portsmouth City Council’s policies and procedures . You will be organising and running activities for children aged 6 - 13 and families on a council run Adventure Playground. Activities include arts and crafts, games, sports and other creative activities. You will be engaging and communicating with children from varying backgrounds as well as interacting with their parents and your own colleagues. You will also be responsible for ensuring the sites are a safe environment for children to play in and report any potential dangers.You will be supporting the Adventure Playground staff team to develop the play facility having regard for the needs of local children and in line with PCC policies & procedures .

Who is the person?

You need to:

• Be aged 16 or over as this is a requirement for the role.
• Be able to relate to younger people aged 6 - 13 years. Previous experience working with children would be an advantage.
• Be self-motivated and have enthusiasm to support physical and creative activities for children.
• Be able to deal with conflict and work well under pressure.
• Have good communication skills in talking to a wide range of people including children, parents, and colleagues.
• The ability to provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the role.
• Be a team player who can work in small teams effectively.
• Demonstrate an understanding for Safeguarding children in this role.
• Be aware of the relevant Health and Safety regulations.
• Be enthusiastic about building play structures, willing to learn the necessary skills, and physically able to carry out the associated tasks .
• Having a qualification in Play Work would be advantageous but not essential.
• Be flexible to work across all of the Council Adventure Playgrounds.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration , inclusivity and being people-focussed . These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours .

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person'points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Please note we may close the advert earlier than the stated closing date.

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment . Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.