Recruitment

What we look for

What We Look for in Our Staff

At Active8 Minds, we seek enthusiastic, reliable, and passionate individuals who are eager to make a real impact in children’s lives. Whether you’re leading a sports session, engaging in creative play, or supporting our clubs, we value team members who bring energy, imagination, and a positive attitude to everything they do. Our staff are role models, creating safe, engaging, and inspiring environments where children can thrive.

Typical Backgrounds & Experience

You don’t need years of experience to work with us—what matters most is a willingness to learn, a proactive mindset, and a genuine enthusiasm for working with children. Many of our team members come from a variety of backgrounds, including teaching, sports coaching, childcare, and playwork. Playworkers are a key part of our team, supporting children in their free play, encouraging creativity, and helping them build confidence through fun and engaging activities.

We welcome individuals with experience in coaching, childcare, teaching assistance, or youth work, but we also recognize that skills like teamwork, organization, and communication can come from many different roles. Whether you’re a qualified coach, a student studying sports or education, or someone with a passion for play and child development, we provide all the training and support you need to succeed. If you love working with children and want to be part of a team that nurtures their creativity, confidence, and wellbeing, we’d love to hear from you—regardless of your previous experience.

Unrivalled perks and benefits

🎁 Access to company rewards scheme

🏥 24/7 access to GP service in the UK and abroad

🎉 Regular social events throughout the year, with the end of academic year social event paid for

🌴 Additional holidays after 2 and 5 years service

👶 Maximum of 2x children to attend any provision when parent is working. (25% off for any additional children)

👨‍👩‍👧 25% discount for all dependents to attend any provision when parent is not working

👫 25% discount for any siblings to attend any provision at any time

💷 On the day movement fee 

💰 Holiday Club daily Managers bonus 

🏦 Pension (+ option to pay more)

🤝 Refer a friend scheme – £100 after successful probation period

🏆 Employee of the Month Cash Award

💚 Wellbeing support, with regular wellbeing and social activities throughout the working day to attend

🧘‍♂️ YOGA sessions for all staff (max numbers apply, per session)

📚 Regular CPD and job-specific training events and support, through internal and external means

Active8 Minds Apprenticeship

We have exciting opportunities to gain experience in a professional and fun working environment
whilst completing relevant coaching qualifications. As an Apprentice you will work alongside our
inspirational staff delivering sport, creative and physical activities to primary school children in PE
lessons, after school clubs and holiday clubs.
This is a paid role.

Active8 Minds® Apprenticeship Programme, in partnership with Educationwise

  • “Earn while you learn”
  • Age 17+
  • A minimum of 30 hours per week
  • 1 day college per week (or equivalent)
  • 4 days practical on job learning
  • 28 paid holiday per year
  • Staff nights out
  • Pay: meets national minimum apprenticeship wage

What you get:

  • Multiple National Governing Body coaching awards NVQ Level 2
  • Paediatric Level 3 First Aid
  • Appropriate safeguarding children training and certification
  • CPD courses Fully supported by the college and our in house Development Officer
  • Strong chance of full time employment on completion

As an apprentice, we want you to:

  • Learn
  • Practise
  • Inspire
  • Grow

We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with children and have a passion for sports. As an apprentice, you will gain hands-on experience while learning the fundamental principles and guidelines for coaching children aged 4 and up. This role is perfect for those eager to develop their skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.

Throughout your 18-month apprenticeship, you will receive comprehensive training, including first aid and essential safety precautions. In addition, you will have the opportunity to earn multiple recognised qualifications, setting you up for a rewarding career in sports coaching.

Available roles

Lead Sports Coaches

🎭 Lead Playworkers

🏀 Assistant Sports Coaches

🧩 Assistant Playworkers

🎓 Apprentice Sports Coaches

As a playworker we want you to:

  • Nurture
  • Inspire
  • Challenge
  • Educate

 

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with children and has a calm, friendly, and nurturing approach. As a playworker, you’ll be actively engaging with children, supporting their creativity through arts-and-crafts-based activities, and helping to create a fun and stimulating environment.

This role would be a great fit for a teaching assistant, lunchtime supervisor, preschool worker, or anyone with experience in a similar field. However, if you have a passion for working with children and a willingness to learn, we’d love to hear from you!

As a sports coach we want you to:

  • Lead
  • Coach
  • Challenge
  • Inspire

We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with children and has a strong understanding of delivering sports across multiple disciplines. In this role, you’ll be responsible for creating engaging sessions that encourage participation, skill development, and a love for physical activity.

You should be confident in planning, executing, and reviewing sessions in a structured and methodical way. Most importantly, your sporting activities should be fun, inclusive, and accessible to all, ensuring every child feels encouraged and motivated to take part.