Summary
Are you passionate about working with children? Join us as a Play Worker Level 2 Apprentice! Gain hands-on experience while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Wage
£11,778 a year
Training course
Playworker (level 2)
Hours
To be confirmed at interview stage. Hours could include 16/30 hours per week.
30 hours a week
Possible start date
Tuesday 1 April
Duration
1 year 6 months
Positions available
2
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
Role Overview:
As a Play Worker Level 2 Apprentice, you will help deliver engaging, safe, and fun activities for children in our care. This hands-on role allows you to develop valuable skills while working towards a Level 2 Playwork qualification.
Your Role in the Organisation:
You will support our mission to create safe, inspiring environments for children to learn, play, and grow. Working alongside experienced Play Workers, you’ll assist in running sessions, building relationships with children and families, and ensuring high-quality play experiences.
Where You’ll Work
Join our friendly playwork team based at Fairlawn Primary School, Sefton Park Infants and Juniors, and/or Horfield CofE. You'll collaborate with passionate colleagues dedicated to making a positive impact.
Key Responsibilities:
* Assist in planning and leading structured play activities that promote creativity, social skills, and physical development
* Supervise children to ensure their safety and wellbeing
* Set up and maintain clean, engaging play spaces
* Support children of all abilities to feel included
* Build positive relationships with children, parents, and colleagues
* Learn and apply safeguarding policies
* Complete on-the-job training and coursework for your Level 2 Playwork qualification
Reporting & Collaboration
* Reports to: Supervisor or venue lead, who will oversee training and daily guidance
* Works with: Play Workers, children, families, and site coordinators to ensure smooth activity deliver
* Why Join Us?
Earn While You Learn: £6.40 - £9.50 per hour, increasing to the national minimum wage after one year
* Flexible Hours: 16 to 30 hours per week
* Great Benefits: Company events, pension, sick pay, and a supportive team
Who We’re Looking For
* Passion for working with children and a positive attitude
* Willingness to learn and grow in a team environment
* Strong communication and interpersonal skills
* Commitment to safeguarding and children’s wellbeing
* No prior experience required—just enthusiasm and a desire to make a difference!
* Kickstart your career in playwork with hands-on training, mentorship, and a rewarding role where you can help children thrive!
Where you’ll work
Bishop Manor Road
Westbury-On-Trym
Bristol
BS10 5BD
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
THE EDUCATIONWISE ACADEMY LTD
Your training course
Playworker (level 2)
Equal to GCSE
Course contents
* Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
* Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
* Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
* Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
* Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
* Contribute to play audits.
* Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
* Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
* Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
* Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
* Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
* Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
* Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
* Contribute to health and safety checks.
* Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
* Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
* Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
* Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
* Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
* Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
* Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
* Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
* Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
* Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
* Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
* Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
* Observe and reflect on play behaviours.
* Communicate sensitively using relevant language and behaviour.
* Promote diversity and inclusion in Playwork practice.
* Identify ways to remove barriers which can prevent some children and young people playing.
* Undertake reflective observations to improve own practice and the quality of the provision for children and young people.
* Contribute to play audits.
* Promote the value and benefits of play for all children and young people.
* Assist with planning, creating and identifying loose parts to encourage and inspire sustainable practices, including recycling, reusing, reducing and repairing.
* Recognise the benefits of risk taking in play and contribute to dynamic risk-benefit assessment.
* Recognise that children and young people communicate with a range of different types of behaviour and may need Playworker support.
* Support children and young people to understand and manage their emotions, feelings and actions.
* Manage interactions with parents/caregivers professionally.
* Recognise the importance of respecting professional boundaries when lone working or conducting intimate care with children and young people and using social media with children, young people and families.
* Contribute to health and safety checks.
* Follow emergency incidents or common illness/infections policies and procedures, administering first aid and completing records when required.
* Use active listening and communication techniques when interacting with children and young people playing, identifying any potential concerns if they occur.
* Contribute to recording and reporting procedures as required by the play setting.
* Contribute to administrative and financial record keeping.
* Promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle, ensuring specific dietary and cultural needs are met.
* Maintain a clean environment according to local and national policies and procedures.
* Contribute to ensuring security arrangements are followed, such as children’s arrival and departures from the setting.
* Work as part of a team to support and supervise children and young people on off-site trips, complying with formal risk assessment of venues visited.
* Apply Playwork approaches in own role, incorporating new and emerging themes.
* Reflect on own practice to create a personal development plan with supervisor.
* Recognise the boundaries of own self and other Playworkers’ interaction with children, and when it is necessary to report incidents to the appropriate safeguarding lead and Local Authority Designated Officer – LADO if appropriate when a Playworkers’ behaviour towards a child may pose a risk of harm.
* Apply the play work approach depending on the individual need.
Your training plan
The training will consist of online learning, webinars, practical sessions and workplace visits. On completion you will achieve a Level 2 Playworker qualification and Functional Skills if needed.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
* Maths (grade A*-C/4-9)
* English (grade A*-C/4-9)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
* Communication skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Customer care skills
* Problem solving skills
* Presentation skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Creative
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
* Patience
* Physical fitness
Other requirements
The salary range will be discussed at the interview stage and will depend on experience and qualifications. Driving licence is desirable, but not essential, as long as you can travel as required for the business needs.