Playworker

The Mercian Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Financial benefits

Health plan

Cycle to work

Blue Light Card

Job summary

The Mercian Trust is seeking a Playworker at Oakwood School in Walsall to create safe, welcoming play environments and support self-directed play. You will build strong relationships with children, families and carers while safeguarding and promoting inclusive practice.

The role involves planning engaging activities based on interests, maintaining records, and contributing to a supportive playworker team in a school setting for pupils aged 3–16 with complex educational needs.

Qualifications

• Understanding of the Playworker Principles and safeguarding expectations.
• Strong communication and relationship-building with children, families and carers.
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and inclusive practice.

Responsibilities

• Create safe, welcoming play spaces and support self-directed play.
• Build positive relationships with children, parents and carers.
• Support safeguarding, health, safety and wellbeing of children at all times.
• Promote inclusion and support children with additional needs.
• Help plan engaging play opportunities based on children’s interests.
• Maintain records and contribute to the playworker team.

Skills

Playworker principles

Communication skills

Safeguarding awareness

Equality & inclusion

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Playworker

Job description

Job Title:Playworker

Location:Walsall

Oakwood School is a specialist provision for children and young people aged 3 - 16 years with complex educational needs. The school is commissioned for 267 places (September 2025).

We prideourselves in providing a safe,stimulatingand nurturing learning environment where we help our pupils to learn in bespoke and innovative ways to ensureoptimumprogression.

Our highly qualified staff coupled with our forward-thinking approach to resources and technology, allow learners to communicate andparticipatein the world around them.

We promote a wide range of high-quality learning experiences, catering for all learning styles so that no learner is ever left behind.

At Oakwood everyone is valued and treated with respect and is encouraged to be the best they canpossibly be.

Our Vision

At Oakwood School we are nurtured to grow and flourish.

We promote a culture of positivity, ambition and resilience through pupil centred learning to engage,motivateand empower learners in all areas of their lives.

Learners are at the heart of our school. Together with their families, we foster strong supportive teams around them to build on strengths and overcome barriers, embracing creativity,innovationand technology.

We maximise potential, growindependenceand celebrate all achievements.

Our Mission

As a hub of the community, it is our responsibility to create opportunities for every learner to be the best that they canpossibly be!Through ourpersonalised curriculum learners will develop emotionally,physicallyand holistically.Learners will feel valued,respectedand safe in our happy and inclusive environment.

Find more information here: Oakwood School

Want to make a difference to young people?

Are you ready to embark on a rewarding journey within an educational community that values increasing opportunities, improving outcomes for our students.We are looking for aPlayworkerto join our team. Reporting toHead of Schoolyou will undertake:

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create safe, welcoming play spaces and support freely chosen, self-directed play.
• Build positive relationships with children, young people, parents and carers.
• Support the safeguarding, health, safety and wellbeing of children at all times.
• Promote inclusion and support children with additional or individual needs within the play environment.
• Help plan and provide engaging play opportunities based on children’s interests and requests.
• Maintain appropriate records and contribute positively to the wider playworker team.

Pay range: Grade 3 SCP 4-6

Qualifications and Skills:

• NVQ Level 2 in Playworker, or an equivalent qualification or relevant experience.
• Experience of working with or caring for children of a relevant age.
• Understanding of and commitment to the Playworker Principles Good communication and relationship-building skills.
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and inclusive practice.
• A responsible and positive approach to safeguarding, health and safety

Benefits:

• Financial, Health and Lifestyle
• discounts oneveryday purchases (Eden Red)
• a comprehensive free of charge health plan (UK Health Care)
• a cycle to work scheme via Halfords
• Access to the Blue Light Card

The Mercian Trustis committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults, and all appointments aresubject to enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks and satisfactory references.

The Mercian Trustis also committed to promoting equality, challengingdiscriminationand developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For further benefits including education sector leading CPD: The Mercian Trust - What we can offer you

Want to be a part of something extraordinary? Find out more: Mercian Trust