SEND 1:1 Buddy Support - Paxton
About this role
Company Description
Make a difference. Support every child. Love your job.
Support a child with SEND in a fun, safe, and inclusive after-school club environment! Join us as a 1:1 SEND Playworker, where you’ll provide tailored support to a child with Autism and ADHD — helping them thrive through engaging, sensory-based activities and a nurturing approach.
At Junior Adventures Group (JAG), we believe in creating spaces where every child feels included, supported, and valued. This is a rewarding opportunity to bring energy, patience, and creativity to a unique 1:1 role that makes a real difference in a child’s life.
Job Description
Location: Woodland Road, Norwood, London, SE19 1PA
Hours: Monday - Friday 07:30 - 09:00 & 15:20 - 18:00
Pay: Up to £14 per hour:
Contract: Term Time
What you’ll do day-to-day:
- Provide tailored 1:1 support for a child with additional needs, helping them access and enjoy the club safely and confidently.
- Plan and deliver engaging sensory and play-based activities suited to the child’s individual needs and interests.
- Be a calm, consistent, and reliable presence, building trust and supporting transitions.
- Collaborate with your team to ensure inclusion, safety, and structured fun.
- Support the child with emotional regulation and behaviour using a positive, proactive approach.
- Work closely with families and the school to maintain clear communication and consistency.
- Follow all safeguarding, SEND, and Health & Safety procedures, keeping documentation (e.g. incident forms) up to date.
- Be flexible, caring, and responsive to the child’s evolving needs throughout each session.
What’s in it for you?
- A rewarding, hands-on role where you’ll make a direct difference in a child’s day.
- Access to 24/7 wellbeing support through Health Assured.
- Opportunities to work in our holiday clubs during school breaks.
- Paid training and regular professional development.
- No weekend working.
- Family-friendly hours.
- Be part of a supportive, fun, and passionate team.
Qualifications
So, what does it mean to be a JAG 1:1 SEND Buddy?
It means you’re more than a playworker — you’re a role model, a guide, and a safe space for a child who needs that little bit of extra support. You’ll bring patience, empathy, and creativity every day to help one child truly shine.
This is a complex and deeply rewarding role, ideal for someone with real SEND experience who’s ready to make a difference. If you’re passionate about inclusion, confident managing challenging behaviours, and thrive in a child-led environment, this is the perfect role for you.
Our people make JAG special. Every day, our incredible team creates positive, meaningful moments for children across the UK.
🎥 Learn more about who we are: Watch our video
Additional Information
Safeguarding
We’re committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children in our care. All roles require an Enhanced DBS check, Children's Barred List Check, and are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Appointment is subject to satisfactory DBS and suitability checks. As part of our safeguarding and due diligence procedures, online searches may be undertaken in relation to shortlisted candidates.
#JAGM
Company at a glance
Junior Adventures Group UK is proud to be the leading provider of before, after-school activity clubs, PE lessons and holiday programmes in the UK, with passionate teams who live and breathe our mission: to build brighter futures for children. For over 30 years, we’ve been delivering exceptional experiences for children in over 1,000 settings across the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. Our global experience has allowed us to create an approach to child-led care that parents and schools trust - and children love.
JAG arrived in the UK from Australia in 2019, bringing with it its exceptional, globally-developed educational frameworks. JAG UK was created in February of that year and immediately built on these strong foundations by acquiring two of the UK’s leading out-of-school club providers – Fit For Sport and Energy Kidz – which in 2023 officially merged into JAG. The result is one purpose-driven, best-of-all-worlds organisation – Junior Adventures Group – that brings together the rich history, passion and expertise of three world-class childcare brands, delivering the same outstanding play and activity programmes in support of schools, leisure partners, parents and children – just under a new name.
We believe in playing our part in helping children become great, well-rounded people, and we’re committed to building brighter futures for each and every child. By shaping our experiences and programmes around them, we create fun, inclusive activities that develop their creativity, promote learning, facilitate diversity and enhance their wellbeing and happiness. By engaging every child through our programmes to realise their potential, we prepare them with the skills and knowledge they will need to navigate a world yet to be imagined.
Top Benefits
- 24/7 Wellbeing support through Health Assured
- Opportunities to work in holiday clubs
- Paid training
- Regular professional development
- No weekend working
- Family-friendly hours
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