Job Description

Donnington Doorstep Family Centre is an independent, community-based children's centre in East Oxford delivering a range of universal and specialist services. We are looking for two play assistants to support the Early Years service.

Outline of Post

You will work as part of a small team of staff providing Drop-In play and support activities for babies, children, young people and their families.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

1. Set-up, deliver and promote high quality, free-play opportunities, inclusive for all children whatever their abilities, in both Drop In and After-School sessions

2. Welcome all children, young people, carers and other visitors and make sure that they receive appropriate information and advice about the services.

3. Consult with children, young people and carers on service provision

4. Provide one-to-one support to individual children, young people and their families

5. Be an advocate for the children's right to play, to be listened to and to be safe.

6.Participate in the development and delivery of general Doorstep services when required.

7. Ensuring the safety and well-being of all users, staff and volunteers through risk assessments for all activities, checking equipment, undertaking first line child protection measures and organising activities appropriate to the users at any given time.

8. To be familiar with and apply Doorstep's Health and Safety, Fire and First Aid procedures at all times within your work and to attend training in these areas.

9. Contributing to the accountability of the centre through assisting in the maintenance of agreed records including statistics, registers, risk assessment records, contracts, evaluations, accident books, financial transactions etc.

10. To support volunteers and placement students helping with Play as required.

11. To be proactive in ensuring that Doorstep's Equal Opportunities policy is applied to all aspects of the work.

12. To be aware of and follow Doorstep Safeguarding Children procedures

13. To attend meetings and supervision as required.

14. To attend training associated with the post as required.

15. To ensure that appropriate confidentiality is maintained.

It is in the nature of the work of Doorstep that tasks and responsibilities are in many circumstances unpredictable and varied. All staff are therefore expected to work in a flexible way when the occasion arises and tasks which are not specifically covered in their job descriptions have to be undertaken.

NB This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and is subject to an enhanced DBS Check.

This post is subject to funding being secured and maintained.

If you face any barriers to applying please feel welcome to discuss these with us and let us know how we can make the application process more accessible.

To apply, please read the job description and person specification at the following link and provide a copy of your CV and a covering letter detailing how you meet the person criteria for the role to applications@donnington-doorstep.org.uk.

https://www.charityjob.co.uk/jobs/donnington-doorstep-family-centre/play-assistant/1036897?tsId=1

For an informal discussion about the role, please email alex.lipinski@donnington-doorstep.org.uk

Closing date: 8am Monday 29 September 2025

Interview date: Friday 3 October 2025

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 12,087.00 per year

Expected hours: 18 per week

Work Location: In person