Play Session Leader

Can you assist in the delivery of high-quality activities for children with disabilities, their siblings and parent-carers? 

 

Skylarks Charity is seeking a part-time Play Session Leader who will be part of a dedicated team supporting children with additional needs and their families.

 

Reporting to the Senior Activities Leader, you will help deliver our activities and services. Most of the charity’s activities occur in the Richmond and Hounslow boroughs, being delivered both online and face-to-face, both in term time and holiday time.

 

If you are an enthusiastic and committed person who is alert to the needs of disabled children and their families, then we would love to hear from you.

 

We expect you to live our organisational values. We believe that diversity of people, ideas and cultures enriches our insights into our work and our relationship with each other. Being an inclusive organisation matters a lot to us. 

 

The post offers significant opportunities for the development and growth of existing services and the organisation as a whole.

 

Play Session Leader

Skylarks Charity 

 

JOB TITLE: Play Session Leader

RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Activities Leader

 

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Delivery of activities for children with SEND, their siblings and parent-carers

 

CONTRACT: Part-Time, Permanent

 

HOURS OF WORK: 20 hours per week (Negotiable)

 

The candidate must be able to work from home for administrative purposes.  There will be some flexibility in the delivery of hours.  Must be available Monday-Friday, including Tuesday till 7 pm.

 

SALARY: Up to £28,000 pro rata  
HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT: 33 days annual leave, including public holidays, pro rata

 

PENSION SCHEME: See separate Policy

 

LOCATION: Richmond, Hounslow and various other locations across the local area. Administration duties from home

 

 

PURPOSE OF ROLE 

 

To deliver a programme of activities for Skylarks families.  This will include our play sessions, activities and workshops for children and young people with disabilities and/or additional needs and their siblings, information workshops, support groups, and activities for parent-carers to increase their well-being.

 

To ensure the safety and well-being of the children and to support the families, children and our volunteers during the sessions.  

 

Help the Operations Team with volunteer management, including the induction and support of volunteers.

KEY DUTIES:

 

1. To work with the Senior Activities Leader and other Play Session Leaders to deliver our Play Sessions (Monday - Friday, including Tuesday afternoon/early evening) 

    

   To assist in the smooth running of off-site and holiday activities such as Pedal Project, All Aboard Club, horse-riding, and outings at various locations (eg Hampton, Ham, Barnes and Hounslow) in conjunction with the Senior Activities Leader. 

    

   To assist in delivery of online activities using Zoom, such as interactive drama/music and online support groups, in conjunction with service providers.

    

 

DETAIL OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

To arrive before the session starts and set up the premises with toys and equipment suitable for that session safely and correctly, with the assistance of staff and volunteers. This may involve moving heavy items such as tables and chairs. To share any issues related to premises or equipment with the Programme Manager or Senior Activities Leader To work with the Operations Team to ensure that all equipment needed for each session is ready for use

 

To work with the Operations Team to ensure that the charity’s policies and procedures are followed by staff and volunteers: our Risk Assessments, Child Protection duties, First Aid duties and Health & Safety requirements.

 

To support the induction process with volunteers, along with the Programme Manager, to ensure they are aware of the policies of Skylarks, including Child Protection, Health & Safety requirements, Fire Drill and First Aid 

 

To supervise the volunteers during the sessions and direct them to where they are needed. To ensure each activity is adequately supervised and report any shortages to the Senior Activities Leader.  

 

To work with the Senior Activities Leader to ensure the playsetting is run according to our policies and procedures (when applicable)

 

Along with other members of the Operations team, to greet new members, explain services offered by Skylarks, explain Members Guidelines and refer to other appropriate services

 

To greet children and their families when they arrive, provide support to parents and carers during the play sessions, interact and play with the children and encourage children’s participation in activities.

 

To open and stay after the end of the session to tidy away toys and equipment correctly (with assistance of volunteers) and to ensure premises are left clean and tidy.

 

To ensure our Member Guidelines are adhered to.

 

To take part in a debrief with the Operations team at the beginning and end of sessions.

 

To carry out all duties in accordance with the policies and procedures of Skylarks

 

This role will involve occational work outside normal office hours including evening and weekends, and school holidays. 

 

Any other work commensurate with the level of this post as required by the charity