Sessional children play worker jobs
High Trees Community Development Trust is seeking an experienced and passionate Head of Children, Young People & Families (CYPF) to join our senior management team and lead one of our core service areas.
This is an exciting opportunity to oversee a wide-ranging CYPF service that directly supports over 400 children and young people each year, and many more through partnerships. You will lead the newly redeveloped Tulse Hill Adventure Playground, ensuring it thrives as a hub for children, young people and families, alongside a portfolio of impactful programmes including school-based mentoring, young leaders’ programmes, family stay-and-play, and peer-led social action.
Supported by our Adventure Playground Manager and a team of youth and play workers, this is an incredibly exciting time for the service – the newly built structures, alongside a small animal area and a growing area, are ready to build an ambitious service around that meets the needs and interests of local children and families.
High Trees is also the lead partner in Building Young Brixton (BYB) – a consortium of 10 youth organisations working with 2,000 young people across Lambeth – which you will coordinate, alongside contributing to the Lambeth Peer Action Collective.
Our Head of CYPF plays a key leadership role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on involvement. You will bring significant experience in youth or community work, with the skills to manage multifaceted services, lead teams, and build strong partnerships with local organisations, schools and statutory bodies. By working closely with our team and partners, you will help ensure that children and young people in Lambeth have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
Our incredible interim Head of Service will be happy to arrange an informal chat with interested candidates to discuss the day to day responsibilities of the role.
About High Trees
Based in Tulse Hill, High Trees has been rooted in the local community for over 27 years. We delivery community action, employment, education, youth services and community research, working in partnership with local people and local organisations, to build stronger communities and create meaningful change. We are recognised for our collaborative, long-term approach and our ability to adapt and respond to the issues that matter most to local people.
About the role
As Head of Children, Young People and Families, you will:
- Lead and inspire our Children, Young People and Families team to deliver high-impact, community-led work.
- Oversee a portfolio of projects and contracts, ensuring they are delivered to time, budget, and quality.
- Build and strengthen partnerships across the sector to support children, young people and families in Lambeth.
- Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead for CYPF services and partnerships.
- Contribute as a member of High Trees’ senior management team, helping shape organisational strategy and drive our ambitions across all service areas.
About you
We are looking for someone who brings:
- Significant experience in working with Children, Young People and Families.
- A proven track record of leading teams and managing complex projects.
- Excellent communication and partnership-building skills across diverse stakeholders.
- A strategic but practical approach with the ability to balance day-to-day delivery with long-term vision.
- A passion for place-based working, collaboration, and advocating for the needs of children and young people.
Why join us?
This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role in a values-led organisation at a time of growth and ambition. You will play a pivotal role in shaping CYPF services and ensuring that children and young people in Lambeth have the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
Connecting with people and communities to strengthen skills and build stronger voices.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Sports Youth Worker
Do you love sports and are you passionate about the role physical activity can play in changing young people’s lives? We have an exhilarating opportunity that will make your heart race! We’re on the hunt for a dynamic Youth Worker to join a vibrant Sports team in the bustling heart of Burnt Oak, North London.
Position: Sessional Worker Sport
Location: Burnt Oak, North London
Salary: £13.85 per hour £15.42 premium per hour on Saturday evenings only
Hours: Up to 26 hours per week evenings and weekends
About the role:
As a Sports Youth Worker you will deliver and supervise face to face sports and activity sessions for young people, supporting session planning and general programming. You’ll lead a wide mix of activities, run taster sessions, organise competitions and challenges that develop skills, confidence and fitness, and provide coaching and support for young people and volunteer activity coaches.
The centre offers a diverse range of facilities including a Fitness Suite, a multi purpose Sports Hall, a Boxing and MMA room and a MUGA astroturf space for games and outdoor activities. Depending on your skills, you’ll work across these areas to help young people get active, stay motivated and reach their potential.
About you:
We are seeking sports and activity coaches from a range of backgrounds such as PE teachers, football or basketball coaches, personal trainers, multi sports coaches, youth workers with activity experience, or anyone with a strong general sports background who loves working with young people. The skills and experience required include:
- Experience of working with groups of young people aged 8 to 19 or up to 25 with a disability
- A genuine passion for sports, fitness and engaging young people in positive activities
- Commitment to safeguarding children
Desirable but not essential:
- Experience delivering general sports or physical activity based sessions
- NGB coaching awards in any sport
- Experience in organising games, tournaments or informal activity programmes
- Any additional experience in areas such as boxing, fitness instruction, martial arts, dance, multi sports or outdoor activities
About the organisation:
Our client is an independent charity and purpose built youth centre for Burnt Oak’s young people aged 8 to 19 and up to 25 for those with additional needs. They offer somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to, six days a week including school holidays. Their vision is to ensure every young person is supported and empowered to reach their potential.
They welcome applications from individuals with varied and non traditional backgrounds. Safeguarding is paramount and an enhanced DBS will be required.
They also welcome experience gained in roles such as Child and Youth Programme Assistant, Youth Development Worker, Sports Coach, Sports Teacher, PE Teacher, Activity Coordinator, Personal Trainer, Gym Instructor, Football Coach, Multi Sports Coach and similar. #INDNFP
PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.
About Us
Grove Park Youth Club is an accessible and dedicated space for local children and young people, situated in a remarkable, purpose-built youth club building, constructed in 1966 as part of the Chinbrook Estate development. We are a registered charity (Ref No. 1196106) located on Marvels Lane in Grove Park (SE12 9PR), within the London Borough of Lewisham.
Our mission is to make Grove Park Youth Club a hub for local children and young people to learn, build connections, and explore and develop their interests. We provide a safe and welcoming space where young people can engage in fun and educational activities, sports and cultural activities, build life skills, as well as seek support with the pressures they face in the wider world.
The youth club is managed by a community-led Trust of people connected to the area who led a seven-year campaign to save and reopen the building. We are a small charity that has achieved exceptional success in reopening the youth club and taking control of this purpose-built space. This opportunity offers the right candidate the chance to play a key role in expanding our offer and working closely with the Trust to take our project forward. Accordingly, we offer a competitive rate of pay at £29.37 per hour.
GPYC Studios is our flagship in-house open access youth club launched in 2023, serving local children and young people aged 11–17 (up to 21 with SEND). Its ethos rests upon a creative approach to wellbeing, valuing empathy, acceptance, positivity, and growth. Our programming aims to spark curiosity and nurture self-discovery in a safe and inclusive environment. Through creativity, opportunity, and advocacy, we empower young people to make a positive impact on themselves, their community, and beyond.
GPYC Studios is made possible with funding from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Job Role
The GPYC Studios Creative Wellbeing Lead will work in close collaboration with the Trust and report directly to the Chair. This multifaceted role includes responsibilities across team leadership, programme development, outreach and engagement, partnership management, and on-site delivery. In addition to this, the Lead will be expected to fill the role of Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), for which training can be provided for.
Whilst the role has a considerable administrative element, it is key that the Creative Wellbeing Lead brings a strong sense of creativity, flexibility, and play to the space. Being present and physically facilitating fun and constructive interactions with young people is crucial.
The Creative Wellbeing Lead will be supported by a Creative Wellbeing Assistant (to be recruited in February 2026) in both organising and delivering the programme, alongside two Creative Wellbeing Practitioners who specialise in pastoral care, and a team of sessional youth workers.
This is a part-time position, working 10.5 hours per week at a rate of £29.37. The role includes regular on-site presence during our sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (7 hours total). In addition, availability during standard working hours (Monday to Friday) is required to fulfil 3.5 hours of remote work. The role will commence in January 2026.
Contract type: Zero hours contract
Salary: £15,422 per annum based on a 50 week year (GPYC is closed for 2 weeks in Dec/Jan)
*NB. This equates pro rata, based on a 40 hour week, to an annual salary of £58,740
Rate: £29.37 per hour
Hours: 10.5 hours per week (7 hours on location at specified time, 3.5 hours remote work)
Benefits: Statutory holiday and sick pay apply
Probation: Initial period of 3 months, followed by a rolling six month contract
About You
The right candidate will be energetic and creative, with significant experience working with young people aged 11-17. You will be able to provide practical, physical, and emotional support to the children and young people attending GPYC Studios. You are eager to share your personal practice and keen to build upon it.
You will be excited about our work and want to be part of the greater Grove Park Youth Club journey, leading by example and working as a team player to shape how our vision is delivered and realised. You will deliver the existing programme with drive, and be ambitious to lead the sustainable expansion of the GPYC Studios brand.
We welcome applications from those who reflect the diversity of our community in Grove Park, and whose own lived experience is similar to those of the young people and partners we work with.
Must have
-
Significant experience working with children and young people (ages 11-17 preferred)
-
Creative practice and/or perspective towards youth work
-
Proactive attitude and ability to work with initiative and independence
-
Willingness to embrace and champion GPYC Studio’s values and vision
-
Ability to lead by example: modelling leadership, confidence, healthy risk-taking, and emotional self-regulation
-
Ability to implement safeguarding and behaviour management protocol
-
Belief in the positive impact of creative programming on physical and mental wellbeing
-
Right to Work in the UK, which should be provided at the time of application
-
Valid DBS certificate (Enhanced preferred)
Preferable
-
Degree level qualification in a relevant field
-
JNC Youth Support Worker or Professional Youth Worker qualifications (or equivalent)
-
Evidence training, skills, and/or experience in the following areas:
-
Safeguarding
-
Drugs and alcohol
-
Conflict resolution
-
CYP with SEND
-
-
Experience with mentoring CYP
-
Good knowledge and network of organisations engaging in youth work in Southeast London, including experience engaging with local schools
Key Responsibilities
-
Lead the administration, management, and operational delivery of our free, open-access youth club sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, overseeing a team of youth workers and volunteers to achieve a shared vision
-
Bring a strong sense of creativity, flexibility, and play to all aspects of delivery - being physically present, actively facilitating, and inspiring fun and constructive interactions with young people
-
Demonstrate strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritise, manage, and complete tasks effectively, making full and efficient use of remote working hours
-
Design and implement engaging, creative programming for children and young people, shaped by a strong creative vision and informed by youth voice
-
Manage staffing logistics, including rotas, timekeeping, training, and staff motivation, ensuring a supportive and high-performing team environment
-
Identify and engage potential community partners to coordinate and deliver fresh, fun, and creative opportunities
-
Design and implement behaviour management strategies and safeguarding protocol
-
Maintain accurate session documentation, including written records and photographic/videographic content, ensuring proper storage, organisation, and archiving of materials
-
Oversee membership management, including onboarding new members, maintaining clear and consistent communication with parents and carers, and using IT systems, such as Salesforce, to manage and protect member data
-
Lead outreach and engagement efforts within the local community and beyond, including through social media platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and others to build visibility and connection
-
Embed a consistent ethos across all creative delivery partners, ensuring the values of GPYC and the Trust are clearly reflected in how children and young people experience Studios sessions, the space, and staff interactions
-
Be a consistent, positive presence for children and young people, fostering an environment that is enriching, inclusive, and grounded in mutual respect
-
Undertake other activities as agreed with the Trust to support the mission and development of GPYC Studios
To apply: https://forms.gle/BheCPNtcEJ6Eh7om6
Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 23rd November 2025
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.