Playworker

Coast and Vale Learning Trust; Walsall; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts on everyday purchases (Eden)

Health plan (UK Health Care)

Cycle to work scheme

Blue Light Card

Job summary

Oakwood School in Walsall is seeking a dedicated Playworker to support free play across lunchtimes, playground, and after‑school sessions. The role focuses on creating safe, inclusive play spaces and sustaining self-directed activities for children aged 3–15 with complex educational needs.

You will work under the Head of School, promoting safeguarding, positive relationships, and community links while contributing to administration and play development.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or an equivalent qualification or experience.
• Experience of working with, or caring for, children of a relevant age.
• Familiarity with, and commitment to, the Playwork Principles in practice.
• Awareness of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity.
• Ability to support children and young people in freely chosen, self-directed play.
• Ability to follow safeguarding, health and safety, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, parents, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to contribute to inclusive play opportunities, including support for disabled children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Carry out playwork and make provision for free play in a school-based environment.
• This may include lunchtimes, the school playground, after school sessions, or curriculum time outside of lessons.
• The role supports children and young people by providing opportunities for freely chosen, self-directed play.
• Establishing play spaces and facilitating play in a school or other appropriate setting.
• Working with children and young people to create play spaces and support freely chosen, self-directed play.
• Planning, preparing and implementing specific play opportunities at children’s or young people’s request, where appropriate.
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with children and young people, and supporting relationships between children, young people and others in the play environment.
• Following the organisation’s safeguarding procedures to protect the welfare of children and young people.
• Supporting disabled children and young people in the play environment through appropriate planning, preparation and playwork practice.
• Supporting the health, safety, security and welfare of children and young people involved in play, including responding to emergencies in line with correct procedures.
• Contributing to the provision of food and drink in the play environment.
• Building effective relationships with parents and carers and providing information to them as appropriate.
• Supporting the development of playwork opportunities in the community, where appropriate, by maintaining positive links with other organisations and individuals.
• Contributing to administration in the play environment, including processing financial transactions, collecting and providing relevant information, and maintaining records.
• Supporting the arrival, departure and travel of children and young people outside the play environment.
• Reflecting on and improving your own playwork practice and contributing to the development of the wider playwork team.

Skills

Playwork principles

Safeguarding

Relationship building

Self-directed play support

Equality of opportunity

Education

NVQ Level 2 in Playwork

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. The school is commissioned for 267 places (September 2025).

We pride ourselves in providing a safe, stimulating and nurturing learning environment where we help our pupils to learn in bespoke and innovative ways to ensure optimum progression.

Our highly qualified staff coupled with our forward-thinking approach to resources and technology, allow learners to communicate and participate in 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 can possibly 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, motivate and 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, innovation and technology.

We maximise potential, grow independence and 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 can possibly be! Through our personalised curriculum learners will develop emotionally, physically and holistically. Learners will feel valued, respected and 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 a Playworker to join our team. Reporting to Head of School you will undertake:

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Carry out playwork and make provision for free play in a school-based environment. This may include lunchtimes, the school playground, after school sessions, or curriculum time outside of lessons. The role supports children and young people by providing opportunities for freely chosen, self-directed play.

• Establishing play spaces and facilitating play in a school or other appropriate setting.
• Working with children and young people to create play spaces and support freely chosen, self-directed play.
• Planning, preparing and implementing specific play opportunities at children’s or young people’s request, where appropriate.
• Developing and maintaining positive relationships with children and young people, and supporting relationships between children, young people and others in the play environment.
• Following the organisation’s safeguarding procedures to protect the welfare of children and young people.
• Supporting disabled children and young people in the play environment through appropriate planning, preparation and playwork practice.
• Supporting the health, safety, security and welfare of children and young people involved in play, including responding to emergencies in line with correct procedures.
• Contributing to the provision of food and drink in the play environment.
• Building effective relationships with parents and carers and providing information to them as appropriate.
• Supporting the development of playwork opportunities in the community, where appropriate, by maintaining positive links with other organisations and individuals.
• Contributing to administration in the play environment, including processing financial transactions, collecting and providing relevant information, and maintaining records.
• Supporting the arrival, departure and travel of children and young people outside the play environment.
• Reflecting on and improving your own playwork practice and contributing to the development of the wider playwork team.

Pay range: Grade 3 SCP 4-6

Qualifications and Skills

• NVQ Level 2 in Playwork or an equivalent qualification or experience.
• Experience of working with, or caring for, children of a relevant age.
• Familiarity with, and commitment to, the Playwork Principles in practice.
• Awareness of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity.
• Ability to support children and young people in freely chosen, self-directed play.
• Ability to follow safeguarding, health and safety, and emergency procedures.
• Ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, parents, carers and colleagues.
• Ability to contribute to inclusive play opportunities, including support for disabled children and young people.

For full details of the post please see attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Benefits

Financial, Health and Lifestyle

• Discounts on everyday 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

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

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

The Mercian Trust is also committed to promoting equality, challenging discrimination and developing community cohesion. We welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please take time to read our policies attached to this advert.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.