We are seeking a playful, adaptable, and confident individuals for play worker posts at Play Midlothian, to deliver high quality services, enabling children to thrive through play.

Community Play Worker (CPW)

• First Aid: Desirable – can be attained whilst employed by the company. PM can support sourcing and funding courses.
• Child Protection Training: Essential – PM can support sourcing and funding courses.
• PVG Membership – Essential – PM can facilitate.
• Responsibility / duties – facilitating adventurous and creative play under the supervision of the Play Team Lead. The Community Play Worker may be asked to ‘lead’ a session alongside another CPW or APW once an agreed induction period has been fulfilled.

About Play Midlothian

Play Midlothian is a registered charity (no. SC025474) working to support children to thrive through play. We focus on play because we know how much this benefits children’s health, wellbeing and development. It is important for their lives in the here and now as well as for their future life chances.

We strive to remove barriers to play where they exist, to ensure all children have access to play that meets their needs. We provide services for children and families and build the capacity of communities to support play. This includes training and development opportunities for other settings, including schools. We are also a partner in the Midlothian Play Strategy, which takes a strategic approach in planning for and promoting play in Midlothian.

We have an office base in Dalkeith but deliver services throughout Midlothian, and if commissioned, beyond.

About the role

Our Playworkers support session planning and the day-to-day practicalities of our play services, carry out play work, and support services users. It is essential that the successful applicant enjoys all types of play and can respond flexibly to the needs of participants.

We are looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a team and can build productive relationships with our participants, colleagues and other stakeholders, while demonstrating an enthusiasm for Play Midlothian’s aims and values.

The postholder will be directed day to day by a Team Leader, and work as part of a team of Community Playworkers and at times volunteers.

It is important the postholder can be flexible about their hours, which will be worked over four or five days on a rota pattern over a 7-day week. Out 2 Play shifts may finish approx. 6.00/6.30pm. We value employees having work/life balance and aim to establish a pattern that shares out any evening and weekend working, so each employee has regular weekends off.

Play Midlothian’s services take place in a variety of community settings. Some are indoors, though a high proportion of our current services are exclusively outdoors (all year round), therefore the role will particularly suit applicants with a fondness for the outdoors.

We work with children and young people aged 0-13 (and at times older), with their parents/carers at some of our services, and at times with specific needs (including disability and emerging mental health challenges). We work with a variety of service models, though with the focus firmly on self-directed play. The goal is always to ensure that children have access to play opportunities that enable them to thrive.

Information on our current services can be found on our website.

For the right candidate, this will be a highly rewarding and stimulating role, offering plenty of variety in their work – all the while enabling their passion for children’s play to shine though.

Are you an enthusiastic and inspiring Manager who would be excited to lead our Green Skills Centre team into its next phase?

Are you looking for a role where every day is different and you lead a team who make a real difference to people’s lives?

Would you like to work with others to create a thriving, therapeutic green space that connects people to each other, nature and community?

If so, this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

About the service

Our newly named Green Skills Centre offers group training and development work to young people and other groups at risk of experiencing homelessness. We realise that many 'at risk' groups can suffer from a nature deficit and sense of disconnection which can intensify and compound the struggles people face. We aim to be a restorative and supportive influence. We offer workshops, accredited training and client-led learning pathways. Our learning work includes sustainable horticulture, market gardening, woodland skills, peer-mentoring and outdoor-education.

About the post

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the Green Skills Centre into the next phase of its journey. Our ambition is a thriving, therapeutic green space that allows those in need to benefit from learning opportunities and skills development in a safe space that connects them to nature and to people.

This role will lead on the management and development of the Centre, with responsibility for all delivery and the site itself, as well as responsibility for ensuring it is managed in line with the organisations vision and strategic aims.

About you

You will be an experienced manager with knowledge of sustainable food production.

You will have experience of project and financial management, be well organised with the ability to manage your own workload and working within policies.

You will have excellent communication skills and the ability to build robust relationships, treating others with respect and compassion, in line with our values.

This is a varied role that will require you to support the team and volunteers, problem solve, co-ordinate the site and to be positive, creative and flexible in providing support.

How we’ll support you

You’ll be working independently leading a team with a supportive manager. We will encourage you to use your creativity to manage the Green Skills Centre, innovate new activities and support you to introduce them.

You will have access to wider Cyrenians support, including our learning and development programme, and staff wellbeing services.

About us

At Cyrenians we tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness by taking a Public Health Approach to Homelessness Prevention. We take a values-led and relationships-based approach to delivering all our services.

Read more about our impactand our values.

We are seeking a dedicated and resilient individual to join us at Socialtrack to fill the role of Youth Employment: Mountain Biking BMX Leader, specialising in working with young people facing deprivation, poverty, and challenging behaviour. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine outdoor sports leadership with youth development in underserved communities. The ideal candidate will have a passion for mountain biking and BMX, along with experience in supporting young people facing socio-economic barriers and behavioural challenges.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement tailored mountain biking and BMX programs for youth experiencing deprivation, poverty, and challenging behaviour.
• Provide effective leadership and guidance during biking sessions, maintaining a safe and supportive environment for all participants.
• Foster positive relationships with youth participants, building trust and rapport to support their personal and skill development.
• Design and deliver workshops and activities using SVQ and British Cycling qualifications, aimed at addressing the specific needs and interests of the target demographic, including life skills development, confidence-building exercises, and career exploration.
• Collaborate with local community organisations, schools, and social services to identify and reach out to youth in need of support, ensuring program accessibility and inclusivity.
• Support the recruitment and training of youth participants between 16 and 21 to Skill School, providing mentorship and assistance in overcoming barriers to success.
• Manage program logistics, including scheduling, equipment maintenance, and transportation arrangements, to ensure smooth operation of activities and events.
• Implement behaviour management strategies and conflict resolution techniques to address challenging behaviour and promote a positive group dynamic.
• Monitor participant progress and evaluate program effectiveness, collecting feedback and data to inform program improvements and adjustments.
• Advocate for the needs and interests of youth facing deprivation and poverty, working to address systemic barriers and promote social equity and justice.
• Report to the Management team and directors on progress of program on a regular basis.
• Under go a PVG check and become a member, if not already, of Disclosure Scotland.

Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in mountain biking and/or BMX riding, with advanced skills and proficiency in both disciplines.
• Proven track record of working with youth from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those facing poverty, deprivation, and behavioural challenges.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust with diverse youth populations.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and experience in working with individuals impacted by trauma and adversity.
• Ability to adapt program activities and approaches to meet the unique needs and interests of participants.
• Commitment to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of program delivery and organizational practices.
• Outdoor First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain upon hire).
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for program-related travel.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as required by program activities and events.
• Passion for youth development and social justice, with a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of young people facing adversity.

This position offers an exciting opportunity to combine your passion for mountain biking with your commitment to supporting youth facing deprivation, poverty, and challenging behaviour. If you are a compassionate and resilient individual with a desire to empower underserved youth through outdoor sports and mentorship, we encourage you to apply for this impactful role.