About the Role
Are you caring, patient, and motivated to make a positive difference for children and young people with additional needs?
Join our friendly Unity team as an Activity Playworker, where you’ll help create safe, inclusive and engaging play experiences for children and young people who attend our school holiday programmes and weekend clubs.
You’ll be part of a vibrant team that brings joy, creativity and care to every day. Helping each child develop confidence, friendships and new skills. You will be provided with full training to help you reach your full potential and gain the skills needed to support the children and young people who attend Unity.
Whether you’ve worked with children with disabilities before or are looking for a new challenge, we look forward to welcoming you into our enthusiastic and dedicated team!
About Norwood
Founded in 1795, Norwood is the oldest Jewish charity in the UK. We support and empower neurodiverse children and their families and people with neurodevelopmental disabilities to live their best lives.
At Norwood, you will make a real difference every day. You will be part of a supportive and inclusive team where kindness is shown in how we care, respect shapes how we work together, belonging ensures everyone feels valued, and empowerment enables people to thrive.
We invest in your growth, care about your wellbeing, and give you the pride of knowing your work changes lives.
Your Day-to-Day
- Support children and young people with have neuro developmental disabilities attending the school holiday schemes and weekend clubs.
- Create a fun, inclusive and engaging environment where children and young people feel safe, valued and free to express themselves through play.
- Use a personalised approach (based on information provided in a care plan) to ensure that their needs are met and they are supported to communicate in their preferred method (Speech, Makaton, Gestures, Symbols, etc.)
- Assist with personal care where required such as toileting, eating, drinking. Some of the children and young people we support have complex medical needs and require additional support to meet their basic needs; full training is provided.
- Ensure all activities meet health and safety standards and safeguarding expectations.
- Work collaboratively with other team members to plan and deliver high-quality experiences.
- Communicate effectively with the Service Manager, colleagues, and parents/carers to share updates or concerns.
- Help set up and tidy activity areas before and after sessions.
- Attend team meetings, debriefs and training sessions to continuously improve practice.
Experience, Qualifications & Training
Essential:
- Experience working with children or young people.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Flexible and creative thinking, willing to adapt quickly to situations and go with the flow.
- Awareness of Health & Safety and safeguarding.
- Must be aged 18 or older.
Desirable:
- Experience supporting children or young people with disabilities.
- Understanding of neurodiversity and neurodevelopmental disabilities or a willingness to learn.
- QCF Level 2 (or equivalent) in childcare or a related subject.
- Understanding of, or willingness to learn about, the Jewish community.
Reward & Benefits
- Be part of a passionate, supportive team making a real difference in children’s lives.
- Flexible, rewarding work that fits around your availability.
- Full induction, supervision, and training provided.
- Opportunities to develop skills in childcare, inclusion, and support work.
- Access to Norwood’s wellbeing and employee support resources.
A bit more information: Norwood’s Children and Family Services support neurodivergent children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and their families to live happy, confident and connected lives.
We provide a range of therapeutic, practical and emotional support, including short breaks for young people, parent educational courses, workshops and peer support groups.
Everything we do is shaped around the individual: their interests, needs and potential. Whether it’s through play, support or learning, we believe every child and their families should have the chance to be themselves, have fun, and thrive as individuals and as a unit.
Safe Recruitment: Norwood is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children, and young people we support. This role is subject to safer recruitment checks in line with OFSTED, and appointment is conditional upon satisfactory pre-employment checks, including Right to Work in the UK and a DBS check appropriate to the role.
Email: careers@norwood.org.uk
