Play and Wellbeing Practitioner
| Posting date: | 01 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £23,565.00 to £24,813.00 per year, pro rata |
| Hours: | Part time |
| Closing date: | 20 October 2025 |
| Location: | Midlothian, Scotland |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Play Midlothian |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Job Description
15 hours per week
£23,565 - £24,813 pro rata (35 hour FTE)
Please note that appointments will be made to the first point on the salary scale. Progression through the scale is based on time served and performance.
Responsible to: Team Leader
Job purpose: To deliver high quality services, enabling children to thrive through play
Line manage: No line management responsibilities
Key job outcomes:
1. Children and young people benefit from enriched play environments at our sessions. Ensures there is maximum flexibility, including use of loose parts, and that resources enable varied play types. Supports children in the creation of their space to play. Transports, sets up, stores and cleans resources.
2. Children and young people are enabled to play in their own way, for their reasons. Facilitates all types of play. Chooses an intervention style that enables children to extend their play. Reflects on own practice and impact on play.
3. Service users (children, young people and adults) receive high quality support, tailored to their needs. Provides support to service users and builds appropriate relationships. Contributes to and implements team strategies to manage challenges.
4. The risks and developmental benefits of play are appropriately balanced during sessions. Follows approved risk-benefit and site risk assessments. Uses good judgment for dynamic risk-benefit assessment during sessions. Provides first aid.
5. Play Midlothian has a good understanding of the participant experience of our services. Observes and listens carefully at sessions. Seeks feedback from children and adults informally and using supplied methods. Assists with maintaining records as required.
Other responsibilities:
• Any other duties relevant to the responsibilities of the post and which may be delegated by Play Midlothian management.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience:
• Desirable (not essential): a qualification in playwork or youth work
• Essential: has some prior experience of supporting children’s play
• A member of the PVG scheme for children (which can be applied for after success at interview, if not already a member)
Key skills and competencies:
Playful: Enjoys play and is able to be involved in all types of play without taking over. Can respond flexibly and creatively to children’s play cues.
Reflective practice: Can reflect on what is happening and why. Able to explore alternative explanations, problem solve, and learn through trying out approaches.
Communication: Able to build constructive relationships with children, young people and adults of all backgrounds and abilities.
Flexibility: Confidence and willingness to work across a range of different services with different target groups and goals, through the focal point of play. Flexible approach to work hours.
Resilience: Stays calm and can think on their feet under pressure. Not fazed by behaviour that challenges or is unexpected. Able to overcome setbacks.
Teamwork: Able to work well within a team.
Values-led: Has an enthusiasm for Play Midlothian’s aims and shares in our values. Can apply these values to all their work.
What We Offer
• A varied and rewarding role, with the chance to make a real difference to children and families.
• A supportive and welcoming working environment.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Holiday entitlement of 32 days (pro rata) per year, rising one day per anniversary of employment to a maximum of 37 days. This is inclusive of bank holidays, which can be taken flexibly.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - a work-based, confidential employee benefit providing support and resources for personal and work-related challenges that affect employees' health, wellbeing, and performance.
• Hybrid Working Policy. Note – play sessions are always in person and mainly outdoors. Infrequent admin or online training associated with the role can be completed at home.
15 hours per week
£23,565 - £24,813 pro rata (35 hour FTE)
Please note that appointments will be made to the first point on the salary scale. Progression through the scale is based on time served and performance.
Responsible to: Team Leader
Job purpose: To deliver high quality services, enabling children to thrive through play
Line manage: No line management responsibilities
Key job outcomes:
1. Children and young people benefit from enriched play environments at our sessions. Ensures there is maximum flexibility, including use of loose parts, and that resources enable varied play types. Supports children in the creation of their space to play. Transports, sets up, stores and cleans resources.
2. Children and young people are enabled to play in their own way, for their reasons. Facilitates all types of play. Chooses an intervention style that enables children to extend their play. Reflects on own practice and impact on play.
3. Service users (children, young people and adults) receive high quality support, tailored to their needs. Provides support to service users and builds appropriate relationships. Contributes to and implements team strategies to manage challenges.
4. The risks and developmental benefits of play are appropriately balanced during sessions. Follows approved risk-benefit and site risk assessments. Uses good judgment for dynamic risk-benefit assessment during sessions. Provides first aid.
5. Play Midlothian has a good understanding of the participant experience of our services. Observes and listens carefully at sessions. Seeks feedback from children and adults informally and using supplied methods. Assists with maintaining records as required.
Other responsibilities:
• Any other duties relevant to the responsibilities of the post and which may be delegated by Play Midlothian management.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience:
• Desirable (not essential): a qualification in playwork or youth work
• Essential: has some prior experience of supporting children’s play
• A member of the PVG scheme for children (which can be applied for after success at interview, if not already a member)
Key skills and competencies:
Playful: Enjoys play and is able to be involved in all types of play without taking over. Can respond flexibly and creatively to children’s play cues.
Reflective practice: Can reflect on what is happening and why. Able to explore alternative explanations, problem solve, and learn through trying out approaches.
Communication: Able to build constructive relationships with children, young people and adults of all backgrounds and abilities.
Flexibility: Confidence and willingness to work across a range of different services with different target groups and goals, through the focal point of play. Flexible approach to work hours.
Resilience: Stays calm and can think on their feet under pressure. Not fazed by behaviour that challenges or is unexpected. Able to overcome setbacks.
Teamwork: Able to work well within a team.
Values-led: Has an enthusiasm for Play Midlothian’s aims and shares in our values. Can apply these values to all their work.
What We Offer
• A varied and rewarding role, with the chance to make a real difference to children and families.
• A supportive and welcoming working environment.
• Opportunities for training and professional development.
• Enhanced sick pay.
• Holiday entitlement of 32 days (pro rata) per year, rising one day per anniversary of employment to a maximum of 37 days. This is inclusive of bank holidays, which can be taken flexibly.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - a work-based, confidential employee benefit providing support and resources for personal and work-related challenges that affect employees' health, wellbeing, and performance.
• Hybrid Working Policy. Note – play sessions are always in person and mainly outdoors. Infrequent admin or online training associated with the role can be completed at home.