We are the largest local authority social landlord in London, managing 55,000 homes lived in by 40% of Southwark’s residents. We are home to over 18,300 businesses including iconic London venues and social enterprises and we have a young, diverse and growing population.
At Southwark we are committed to making our borough just and fair and are taking positive action to tackle inequalities. Our residents and communities are our greatest asset and the passion we have for Southwark is shared by millions of Londoners who enjoy our outstanding cultural offer, use our hospitals and attend our universities. Our refreshed borough plan and focus on Southwark Stands Together, (which is our work with Southwark’s communities and the council’s staff to tackle racism, injustice and inequality) underpins all that we do.
The service leads on the delivery and coordination of cross departmental youth related programmes with the overall aim to raise the profile of services for young people in Southwark so that no young person is left behind. It also aims to place young people at the heart of future service design to ensure that they can influence decisions affecting their lives. This includes ensuring that council’s facilities are fit for purpose, of high quality and young people friendly and that services meet their needs and enable them to fulfil their potential.
What You'll Be Doing
The Youth & Play Service are responsible for providing positive activities borough wide for young people aged 11 to 19 years (25 years with SEN) as well as delivery of Adventure Playgrounds for children aged 8 to 15 years. These services are provided in a variety of building based youth centres and adventure playgrounds across the borough. The service also delivers the Youth Parliament, a commissioning programme of grants for organisations and individuals, the digital youth offer (One Hub) and strategic work with a variety of partners from both the statutory and voluntary sector.
- To actively participate in the annual programme planning process to ensure a
varied and interesting range of activities for children and young people
- To be responsible for promoting children and young people’s participation in all
aspects of planning, monitoring and evaluating activity including the supporting
of project based support groups such as, children and young people’s user
consultation groups (Play Forum) and local Friends groups.
- To promote and publicise a programme of positive activities available across the
borough maximising the uptake of the facilities by undertaking outreach work,
contacting other local providers and attending liaison meetings with appropriate
partners/interested parties, including local tenants/residents groups, schools,
parents and carers groups, Friends of groups and other community.
- To support and/or contribute to developing new play projects and facilities, fund
raising initiatives, including grant aid applications and other income generating
opportunities.
The post holder will at times work independently and will receive regular supervision to enable delivery of high quality, modern and customer focused services to young people in the Borough.
What We're Looking For
Experience of developing, facilitating and delivering adventure play activities and facilities for children and/or young people, and their maintenance.
Experience of implementing services objectives across a range of play settings – which may include, facility based, detached projects, open or closed play spaces, targeted programmes.
Experience of developing and maintaining appropriate and positive relationships with children and/or young people
Experience of managing and motivating teams, allocating resources, monitoring service provision and providing reports
Experience of liaising with internal and external agencies
Additional Information
Closing Date: Friday 12 September 2025
Interview Date: Tuesday 23 September 2025
- Job type: Permanent
- Will be required to work occasional weekends and evenings to meet the needs of the service.
Benefits and more information:
https://www.jobsatsouthwark.co.uk/why-us/
https://jobs.theguardian.com/minisites/southwark-council/life-at-southwark-benefits-and- more/
The Play Offer is delivered Tuesdays to Saturdays and we will require the post holder to work these days with some possible additional hours on Sundays, on an ad hoc basis
Job Reference: SC07656
