The Datum Report

Occupation 6117 · Caring, leisure and other service occupations

Playworkers

Playworkers deliver and facilitate play opportunities for children in a range of formal and informal settings including play schemes, free play locations, and in pre- and after-school activities.

How people enter it

Entry may not depend upon academic qualifications, although some employers will expect candidates to possess or be working towards a relevant qualification. NVQs/SVQs in Child Care and Education are available at levels 2 and 3. A DBS check is mandatory.

What the work involves

• supervises children’s games and encourages the development of physical, social and language skills
• provides play areas and prepares materials for a wide range of children’s activities
• encourages children’s independence, self-confidence and social interaction
• organises and supervises children on excursions
• organises and supervises children’s activities in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, deals accordingly with injuries and emergencies
• puts away equipment and cleans premises after use
• liaises with parents, carers and colleagues and keeps appropriate records

Also called

Afterschool club coordinator · Play leader · Playworker · School club leader

What it pays

Every regional figure

ONS does not publish occupational pay below region. Cells the survey could not support are shown as withheld, with its reason — adding a region split to a specific occupation leaves roughly a tenth of cells publishable.

Common questions

Classified alongside this

Childminders · Early education and childcare assistants · Educational support assistants · Nannies and au pairs · Teaching assistants