Overview
Early Intervention and Play Leader – Fixed Term – Part Time
ID: 311368
Job Specialism: Operations- Children Services
Location: Belfast
Salary: £20,627.40 per annum (pro rated)
Closing Date: Monday, 1st June 2026
Looking for a new challenge?
Early Intervention and Play Leader | Belfast Hub | 3-year FTC | 22.5 hours per week | £20,627.40 per annum (pro rata)
Sense has an exciting opportunity for an Early Intervention and Play Leader to join us on a three-year fixed-term contract, working 22.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. This is a hybrid role, based at our Belfast Hub with travel throughout Northern Ireland. You’ll need a valid driving licence and use of your own vehicle for this role.
As an Early Intervention and Play Leader, you’ll ensure children and families get the best possible start. Working as part of the Together Project, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund. You’ll provide direct support to children aged 0–8 with complex disabilities and their families, both in their own homes and out in the community. Through early years and play and stay sessions, family events, and tailored activities, you’ll give families the skills, strategies and confidence to interact, build relationships and communicate with their child, enabling children to have fun, thrive and learn.
We’re looking for applicants who have:
- A recognised qualification in play work, a diploma in childcare, NNEB, NVQ Level 3, or equivalent – or substantial successful experience in a similar role
- Experience working with children and young people with disabilities in an education, health or social care setting
- Proven experience assessing and monitoring the progress of children with complex disabilities, including maintaining clear and accurate records
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures
- A willingness to undertake training in relevant areas, including training as an MSI Intervenor
Desirable: post-qualifying training in communication, SEND or safeguarding, and/or a First Aid qualification.
Your role will include:
- Identifying children and families across Northern Ireland who would benefit from early intervention and support
- Delivering a programme of activities including Play and Stay Groups at our Belfast Hub and locations throughout Northern Ireland
- Maintaining accurate records of contact and engagement and providing regular reports on outcomes and progress
- Offering information and advice to families about their child’s specific needs
Benefits
- 24 days of annual leave.
- Wisdom app – free access for all employees to mindfulness application
- Matched pension contributions up to 5%.
- Free life assurance policy.
- Cashback and discounts on high street brands (and 10% off at Sense charity shops!).
- Enhanced sick pay.
- Free ACCESS NI check if your role needs one.
- A £350 refer-a-friend scheme.
- Free access to over 100 online and face-to-face training courses, including the care certificate.
- Ongoing development opportunities.
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world — because no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer.
Working at Sense is rewarding in every sense: you’ll be part of a large, diverse and successful charity with genuine opportunities to develop your skills and career in a supportive, flexible environment. We also offer excellent training and development, a Group Personal Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave entitlement.
To apply
Use the link below to complete your application. When shortlisting, managers will assess your supporting statement against the Person Specification, so please take time to complete this section thoroughly. We recommend reading the candidate guidelines, job description and person specification at the base of this advert before applying.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
No agency submissions please; any submissions made without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and no fee will be payable.
For assistance, contact the Recruitment Team at recruitment@sense.org.uk or on 0121 415 6735.
Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults, and all offers of employment are subject to an enhanced DBS check. Sense NI adheres to the Access NI Code of Practice.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity and to celebrating the diversity of our staff, volunteers and the people we support. For more information, visit sense.org.uk/equality-and-diversity.
Precise Location: 34 Annadale Avenue, , Belfast, , BT7 3JJ, United Kingdom
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
