YMCA Dublin has been working with children, young people and families in communities across Dublin for 175 years. We run programmes in youth work, education, family support, childcare and community employment.
The Playwork Assistant will assist in providing our school age childcare and youth work services to young people aged 8 to 17 years in Dublin 13. This role, part of a Community Employment Scheme (19.5 hrs/week), requires good communication, teamwork, and organisational skills to help embed YMCA Dublin’s services in new communities.
YMCA Dublin are excited to provide an individual in gaining quality work experience and certified training in order to have a successful career in the Childcare or Youth Work Sector.
This three year phased scheme will include:
Year 1: Employment induction and fundamentals in childcare and/or youthwork. Specific training and shadowing of experienced team members.
Year 2: QQI qualifications and targeted learning that could include Social Studies, Working with Young People, Special Needs Assisting and/or Paediatric First Aid.
Year 3: Further responsibility with tasks, work placement, CV and interview preparation.
All the above opportunities are aimed at increasing skill and knowledge in the area in order to gain a full time career in Youth Work or Early Years provision.
Key Responsibilities:
- Engaging with young people appropriately during after school and youth work sessions.
- Facilitating play activities, such as arts and crafts, with children and young people.
- Assisting with daily school collections and drop-offs.
- Supervising children on outdoor trips to local parks and playgrounds.
- Acting as a positive role model for children and young people.
- Working with team members to plan weekly programmes and daily activities.
- Help set up and prepare spaces and materials for activities.
- Assist with administrative duties, including inputting work records and completing daily checklists and observations.
- Undertaking practical training in school age childcare, playwork, safeguarding, etc.
- Abide by YMCA Policies and Procedures, including Child Protection and Health & Safety.
- Any other duties related to the delivery of YMCA Childcare services.
Key skills:
- Good planning and time management skills
- Good team working skills
- High level of motivation and the ability to work on your own initiative
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to empathise with, support and motivate people.
- Basic computer skills.
Post information:
- The post holder will work 19.5 hours per week.
- Working hours will be over afternoons and evenings- Monday through to Friday
- Continuous training will be provided.
- Laptop provided.
- Flexibility will be required to adapt to the needs of the community and the service provision.
- Location: Dublin 13
Our Vision
YMCA Dublin believes that everyone should have the opportunity to belong to healthy, confident, secure & connected communities.
- A Healthy Community is a supportive environment where physical, emotional and mental well-being is prioritised, and is based on accessible services, active living, and strong social connections.
- A Confident Community is an optimistic environment where individuals thrive, take initiative, and collectively embrace challenges, and is based on active engagement, collective contributions, and mutual support.
- A Secure Community is a resilient environment where individuals feel safe, fostering peace of mind and well-being, and is based upon strong community bonds, trust, and shared responsibility.
- A Connected Community is a cohesive environment where members actively engage, collaborate, and support one another, and is based on strong social bonds, open communication, and shared values.
Our Core Principles
- Play-inspired - an approach to learning and development that emphasises the importance of play in the growth of, not only children and young people, but also families and communities.
- Strengths-based - an approach to community development that focuses on identifying and harnessing the existing strengths, resources, and potential within a community to foster sustainable growth and promote positive change.
- Trauma-informed - an approach to working with people that prioritises understanding and addressing the impact of trauma.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: €271.50 per week
Benefits:
- Childcare
- Gym membership
Work Location: In person