Casual SEND Playworker

Casual SEND Playworker

Employer: Wokingham Borough Council

Salary: £13.68 – £14.58 per hour

Location: Multiple locations around Wokingham

Contract: Casual

Working Pattern: Part Time/Flexible Hours

Hours: Varied hours per week, part time

DBS Check: Enhanced

Closing Date: 31/03/2026 at 23:00

Reference: 712705

We’re looking for enthusiastic and caring individuals to join our team in supporting SEND children and young people aged 5–16 who attend the Club Hub. These sessions are funded through a range of programmes including the Department for Education’s HAF Programme, the Hardship Alliance for extended SEND provision, and Short Breaks. We deliver high‑quality care through fun and engaging activities for children and young people with SEND after school, during school holidays, and one Saturday a month.

As a Playworker, your main role will be to create a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment where children can thrive.

• Have experience or a strong passion for working with children and young people with a range of disabilities and complex needs.
• Are keen to learn about different communication styles and behavioural needs.
• Can work effectively under pressure in a busy, diverse and demanding work environment.
• Ability to have fun, engage children and young people to access a range of activities, whilst keeping them safe.
• Can be positive role models, helping children develop social and independent living skills.
• Be committed to Safeguarding.

• Supporting communication using tools such as Makaton, PECS, and assistive technology.
• Facilitating access to a wide range of activities including arts and crafts, sensory play, sports, games, water play, and more.
• Promoting independence in life skills such as mealtimes, personal care, and safety.
• Encouraging the development of social skills and helping children build positive relationships.

As part of our team, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in children’s lives. We provide a full induction and training programme, with ongoing support and supervision.

Flexible

Hours:

This role offers flexible working hours that can fit around your other commitments.

For more information, please contact:
Sophie Hookway, sop

If your application is shortlisted for an interview, you will be required to provide proof of your right to work in the UK at that stage. Additionally, successful candidates must present proof upon receiving a job offer.

Please note that all offers are conditional and subject to the satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks.

Wokingham Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff, other workers and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful candidates for this role will be subject to Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we regret that we are unable to respond to every applicant individually.

If you do not hear from us within 4 weeks of the Final date to receive applications, please assume that your application has not been successful on this occasion.

We appreciate your interest in joining Wokingham Borough Council and thank you for taking the time to apply.

Wokingham is an equal opportunities employer.