Specialist Playworker
Job Description
Job Title: Specialist Playworker
Salary: £33,531 – £38,052 per annum
Grade: D
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
About the Role
Are you enthusiastic and would like to work with our wonderful children? We are currently looking for a Specialist Playworker to join our team. You will be working with children aged 4-18 with a broad spectrum of needs.
Successful applicants will be required to:
- To undertake direct work with disabled children of all ages, particularly those with complex needs.
- To have the ability to manage, write and oversee care planning for those children with specialist health care needs.
- To have knowledge and understanding around specialist health care tasks and be able to undertake a range of specialist health care tasks including: Enteral feeding, suction, oxygen administration, diabetes management, epilepsy awareness, manual handling and the administration of Emergency medication.
- To have the ability and experience to train and support staff in a range of different specialist health care tasks.
- To have specific responsibility for managing and overseeing our complex needs group where children require the most specialist health care.
- Work closely with specialist health care team to ensure all training is up to date for all staff.
- To have the ability and confidence to manage and respond appropriately to emergency situations and take the appropriate action.
- To work/liaise closely with other agencies involved with the child including Social Care, Education, Health, Children’s Community Nursing Team, and our training provider – Provide Essex.
- To assess the needs of disabled children and provide specialist health care support, to ensure individual health care needs are met.
- To work with families in their own homes and be able to take form good relationships with parents/carers.
- To assist in the setting up and putting away of activities/equipment during sessions.
- To be able to demonstrate the ability to carry out detailed observations.
- To plan, lead and facilitate short break sessions for disabled children, taking overall responsibility for children and staff.
- Assist in maintaining the play area; ensuring safety, cleanliness and providing an enriching learning environment for our children.
- Develop positive relationships with the children and young people who attend our services.
- Engage and support children and young people in social, recreational decision making opportunities.
- Support the developmental needs of the children and young people accessing our service.
- Work effectively with colleagues to provide a safe and stimulating environment for the children and young people accessing our service.
- To work closely with the team for disabled children
- To attend multi professional meetings.
- To maintain case recordings/prepare reports for meetings.
- To report to the Team Manager of any changes in child behaviour, any noted injuries, accidental/non accidental.
- To work with children and families in their own homes offering outreach support
- To help support and promote independence and life skills with young people
- To undertake specific identified work with individual young people.
Essential Qualifications: The successful applicant will be required to hold a Level 3 childcare qualification or equivalent and have at minimum of 3 years’ experience of working with disabled children with complex needs in a professional setting.
DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service Check at Enhanced level with Children's Barred list will be required for this post.
Benefits of Working with Us
At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Local Government Pension Scheme
- Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
- Ongoing training and professional development
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Staff discounts and local offers
- A supportive and inclusive working environment
Important Dates
Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 6th November 2025
Closing Date (Internal & External): 16th November 2025
Interview Date: To Be Confirmed
Additional Information
If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:
[Jackie Harper/Laura Hayden – Deputy Managers
01375 652200
To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:
Download Job Profile (PDF Document)
Application Requirements
As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application.
If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.
Applicants who hold a Visa must provide valid evidence of their right to work in the UK for this role. If you are applying under the Skilled Worker Visa route, please ensure the role is eligible by reviewing the criteria outlined on the official government website: Skilled Worker visa: eligible occupations and codes - GOV.UK
About us
Why Thurrock?
Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.
Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.
This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.
Our location
Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.
We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.
Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.
Staff benefits
We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.
Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.
We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.
For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council
Salary range
- £33,531 - £38,052 per year