Casual Activity Ranger - Educational Play and Support Service, Active Reading

Make a difference through play, sport and outdoor adventure!

Are you passionate about helping children and young people thrive, have fun and develop their confidence? Do you enjoy being active, creative and working outdoors?

We are looking for enthusiastic and energetic casual Activity Rangers to join our Educational Play & Support Service at Active Reading, based at Prospect Park.

This rewarding role involves supporting children and young people through play-based activities, SEND provision, respite opportunities, educational support, alternative provision programmes, sports, outdoor learning, and holiday activities in Reading.

As a casual member of the team, this is an opportunity to work flexibly and support our programmes when you are available.

There may be opportunities to work term time, during school holidays, after-school sessions, evenings and some weekends subject to your preference and availability, depending on service requirements. Flexible casual hours to fit around your studies, work or other commitments.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

About The Role:
As a Casual Activity Ranger, you'll deliver and promote a wide variety of activities designed to improve the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of children and young people.

Working predominantly at Prospect park, but also in schools, community settings and outreach venues, you'll help create safe, fun and inclusive opportunities that encourage young people to get active and enjoy outdoor play.

A key part of the role involves supporting children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), including respite care programmes, one-to-one sessions, sports coaching and structured play activities. You'll work closely with families, schools and partner organisations to ensure every child can access enjoyable and meaningful experiences.

No two days are the same. One day you may be leading games in a local park, the next supporting a child in a school setting, planning holiday activities, or helping deliver a community event.

About You:
You will have experience or be passionate to be working with children and young people, including children with special educational needs, ideally within community, playwork or similar settings.

You will understand child development, the principles of play and the importance of listening to and consulting with children and families.

You will be a confident communicator who can build positive relationships with children, young people and adults. You will also be creative, adaptable and able to use your initiative to deliver engaging activities with limited supervision.

We are particularly looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about outdoor play, sport and activities for children and young people
• Can create fun, safe and inclusive indoor activities
• Has experience supporting children and young people with SEN
• Can respond positively and constructively to challenging situations
• Has good organisational and project-planning skills
• Can work flexibly across different settings
• Is committed to safeguarding, health and safety and equality
• Holds a current, clean UK driving licence.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:
Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do
Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential.
Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way.
Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed.

For more information on this position please contact Daniel Peters, Reading Education Play and Support Service Manager at Daniel.Peters@reading.gov.uk

Closing Date: Sunday 18th October 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Interview Setup: In person at Prospect Park Pavilion, Liebenrood Road, Reading, RG30 2ND