Job Description

Ensuring Fun Comes First and the Rest Follows - leading day to day operations in a charity dedicated to improving the life chances of children and young people.

Awesome ELM CIC, runs six exciting adventure playgrounds sites for children and young people in the London Borough of Islington.

We provide open access play opportunities for children and young people to play, learn new skills and knowledge and develop confidence and self-esteem. We are managed by a voluntary Board of Trustees and are funded by the London Borough of Islington and income generated through the sites when not operating the play service, and a range of other local and national funding bodies.

As the Head of Play Service, you will directly lead the operations of all the six adventure playgrounds sites, including any play service delivery in schools and the wider community.

Our adventure playgrounds sites are run by committed playwork teams, consisting of Playwork Coordinators (managers), playworkers, support staff and volunteers. You will provide inspiring and enthusiastic leadership as well as coaching and mentoring your whole team and you will be expected to provide ‘hands on’ support during busy times. You will also be responsible for monitoring good practice throughout all of the six adventure playgrounds ensuring that policies, procedures and protocols are actively adhered to.

You should be a successful manager with significant experience in a childcare centred organisation, children's play organisation, education or other similar organisation, and will have worked with disabled and non disabled children and their families. You must have a strong belief in the benefits of play in supporting children and young people to develop and build resilience. You should also hold a recognised qualification in playwork, childcare, youth work or education or be qualified through significant experience and willing to gain a qualification. Evidence of successfully managing others is essential.

You will be able to demonstrate good leadership, great communication and networking skills, excellent administration and organisational skills and sound knowledge of safeguarding policy and practice.

Awesome is an inclusive employer and welcomes applications from disabled people. Please get in touch if you have any support or communication needs you would like to discuss with us.

The majority of the working hours would reflect the operational hours of the play service.