Play Service Lead
| Posting date: | 30 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Additional salary information: | £35,000 per annum |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 29 April 2026 |
| Location: | Cannock |
| Company: | Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 615 |
Summary
Job Advert
Play Service Lead
Location: Head office, Cannock
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Contracted hours: 37.5 hours
About our Charity
As one of the UK’s leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated
to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.
Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our
free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with
disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve. And we support adults with
additional needs with volunteering and employment opportunities, providing an introduction to the workplace and a means for career
development.
Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it’s not just a job; here you’ll be helping us to change lives
every day.
About the role
The Play Service Lead will oversee the effective delivery and development of Newlife’s three core play services—Community Play,
Toy Loans, and Toy Grants—ensuring high‑quality, safe, and impactful support for disabled and terminally ill children and their
families. The postholder will apply specialist play knowledge to lead the Play Team, manage day‑to‑day service operations, and
ensure services run efficiently, within agreed budgets, and in line with organisational standards.
They will be responsible for achieving key service KPIs, driving continuous improvement, and developing high‑quality play content
for Newlife’s website, webinars, and supporting resources across all play services. A key part of the role involves promoting the
service and actively engaging with professionals, families, partners, and external organisations to support service growth and
shape future development. As Newlife’s subject expert in play, the postholder will provide informed guidance, resolve complex
queries, and contribute to wider organisational strategy.
- Lead the effective delivery of Community Play, Toy Loans, and Toy Grants, ensuring high-quality, safe, and consistent service
standards.
- Provide technical expertise in specialist play, guiding the team in delivering appropriate, impactful play support.
- Ensure all play services operate within agreed budgets, monitoring expenditure and highlighting variances or risks promptly
- Monitor, analyse, and report on agreed service KPIs, using insight to drive continuous improvement and maintain high operational
performance.
- Lead, motivate, coach, and support the Play Team to ensure strong performance, professional development, and a positive team
culture.
- Oversee the development of high‑quality play content, including website resources, webinars, workshops, and supporting
materials.
- Engage proactively with professionals, partner organisations, and families to support service development, collaboration, and
increased reach.
- Act as Newlife’s subject expert in play, providing informed guidance and resolving complex queries, challenges, and complaints.
- Contribute to the strategic development of play services, identifying opportunities for innovation and improved impact.
- Provide effective line management for Play Service delivery staff, both onsite and in outreach settings.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with preferred suppliers, negotiating cost-effective solutions.
At times Newlife may request you carry out additional duties in line with this role.
What we are looking for
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate individual with a Level 5 NVQ (or equivalent) in childhood development. The ideal
candidate will have experience working with children with disabilities, particularly through play, and within a formal education
setting.
You will bring strong leadership experience, including managing teams and overseeing budgets, alongside a solid understanding of
safeguarding policies and child development.
Excellent communication, organisational, and IT skills are essential, as is the ability to manage competing priorities and work
effectively under pressure. Confidence in using office systems and adapting to new technologies is important.
We are looking for someone who is professional, empathetic, and resilient, with a positive, flexible, and collaborative approach.
The ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, families, and external professionals is key.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checking may be necessary for this role.
Play Service Lead
Location: Head office, Cannock
Salary: £35,000 per annum
Contracted hours: 37.5 hours
About our Charity
As one of the UK’s leading charities providing essential specialist equipment to children with disabilities, Newlife is dedicated
to making life better - for the families we serve, and for the people who help us to make that happen.
Through grants and emergency equipment loans, we ensure children get the vital equipment they need, when they need it, while our
free nurse helpline offers crucial support and information – as well as a listening ear. Our campaigns help to give children with
disabilities and their families a voice, advocating for change to benefit the families we serve. And we support adults with
additional needs with volunteering and employment opportunities, providing an introduction to the workplace and a means for career
development.
Across the whole of Newlife, our teams are crucial to our success – it’s not just a job; here you’ll be helping us to change lives
every day.
About the role
The Play Service Lead will oversee the effective delivery and development of Newlife’s three core play services—Community Play,
Toy Loans, and Toy Grants—ensuring high‑quality, safe, and impactful support for disabled and terminally ill children and their
families. The postholder will apply specialist play knowledge to lead the Play Team, manage day‑to‑day service operations, and
ensure services run efficiently, within agreed budgets, and in line with organisational standards.
They will be responsible for achieving key service KPIs, driving continuous improvement, and developing high‑quality play content
for Newlife’s website, webinars, and supporting resources across all play services. A key part of the role involves promoting the
service and actively engaging with professionals, families, partners, and external organisations to support service growth and
shape future development. As Newlife’s subject expert in play, the postholder will provide informed guidance, resolve complex
queries, and contribute to wider organisational strategy.
- Lead the effective delivery of Community Play, Toy Loans, and Toy Grants, ensuring high-quality, safe, and consistent service
standards.
- Provide technical expertise in specialist play, guiding the team in delivering appropriate, impactful play support.
- Ensure all play services operate within agreed budgets, monitoring expenditure and highlighting variances or risks promptly
- Monitor, analyse, and report on agreed service KPIs, using insight to drive continuous improvement and maintain high operational
performance.
- Lead, motivate, coach, and support the Play Team to ensure strong performance, professional development, and a positive team
culture.
- Oversee the development of high‑quality play content, including website resources, webinars, workshops, and supporting
materials.
- Engage proactively with professionals, partner organisations, and families to support service development, collaboration, and
increased reach.
- Act as Newlife’s subject expert in play, providing informed guidance and resolving complex queries, challenges, and complaints.
- Contribute to the strategic development of play services, identifying opportunities for innovation and improved impact.
- Provide effective line management for Play Service delivery staff, both onsite and in outreach settings.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with preferred suppliers, negotiating cost-effective solutions.
At times Newlife may request you carry out additional duties in line with this role.
What we are looking for
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate individual with a Level 5 NVQ (or equivalent) in childhood development. The ideal
candidate will have experience working with children with disabilities, particularly through play, and within a formal education
setting.
You will bring strong leadership experience, including managing teams and overseeing budgets, alongside a solid understanding of
safeguarding policies and child development.
Excellent communication, organisational, and IT skills are essential, as is the ability to manage competing priorities and work
effectively under pressure. Confidence in using office systems and adapting to new technologies is important.
We are looking for someone who is professional, empathetic, and resilient, with a positive, flexible, and collaborative approach.
The ability to build strong relationships with colleagues, families, and external professionals is key.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checking may be necessary for this role.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.