Childrens Playworker

Job Title

Salary

Hours

Location

Job Description

Childrens Playworker

£12 per hour

Bank Worker - 0 hours contract

The Joshua Tree Family Support Centre, Sandiway, Cheshire

Reports to

Family Support Manager

About The Joshua Tree

The Joshua Tree was founded in 2006 by Lynda and David Hill after their son Joshua was diagnosed with
acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. As a charity we provide on-going mental and emotional well-being support
to families affected by childhood cancers, both on and off treatment, but particularly recognising that post
treatment can be a challenging time, when families are having to adapt to their `new normal’. To date, we
have supported over 350 families across Cheshire, North West England and remotely in North Wales.

After 14 years of fundraising, we opened our brand-new purpose-built Joshua Tree Support Centre in May
2021. The centre, located in Sandiway, Northwich has been built and furnished entirely through a mix of
local donations, grant funding and corporate support. There are now a range of exciting opportunities to
further grow and develop the charity over the coming years. This includes increasing the number of families
we support, diversifying and raising new income streams and further developing our partnership work.

Job Purpose

To deliver play based activities at the Support Centre in Cheshire and/or on location at identified venues
across Cheshire. Work alongside  our family support team to develop and plan playful events that enable
children  and  families  to  be  included  in  fun,  child-centred  activities  and  build  friendships.  To  create
opportunities to embed principles of quality play into events and supervise child-led play.

The activities will be delivered during evenings, weekends and school holidays, therefore offering families a
broad  range  of  opportunities  to  engage.  Days  and  hours  of  work  will  be  negotiated  at  least  a  month  in
advance.

As part of our family support service, The Joshua Tree provides opportunities for all members of our
families to connect with and gain support from our team of support workers. This includes children and
young people that are newly diagnosed with cancer, on treatment and post treatment, as well as siblings
and wider young family members.

Key Responsibilities

•  Develop a range of play based activities aimed at engaging families who are affected by childhood

cancer.

•  To use knowledge of child development and the benefits of play to deliver and evaluate inclusive

activities that will enhance children’s emotional wellbeing.

•  To engage and communicate effectively with families. It is important to be able to actively listen

and know the ways in which the Joshua Tree can support them.

•  Provide regular play opportunities for beneficiaries and siblings to connect with peers who have

had similar experiences.

•  Provide a welcoming, safe and child-centred environment and encourage the children’s ownership
of the play area through art displays, celebrations of work, achievements and relevant information.
Likewise, with the teenage area.

•  Be committed to safeguarding and always promote the welfare of children, by adhering to the

robust safeguarding procedures and attending all relevant training programmes.

•  Actively engage with reflection and supervision to enhance personal wellbeing and practice.
•  Ensure records are kept up to date.
•  Adhere to all The Joshua Tree policies and procedures.
•  Take on other duties as may be required to fulfil the objectives of the role.

The nature of work is hugely rewarding it can also be emotionally demanding. A full induction programme
and training will be provided, and we are a very supportive team, offering regular supervision and
reflection time to support emotional wellbeing.

The Joshua Tree is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people
and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to a
DBS check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of offenders Act 1974.

Please email the completed form to recruitment@thejoshuatree.org.uk.

If you have any queries, please ring our office on 01606 331858 and ask to speak to Danielle Percival or
email daniellepercival@thejoshuatree.org.uk