6117 Playworkers

In short

• ONS unit group 6117, in minor group 611 (Teaching and childcare support occupations) and major group 6 (Caring, leisure and other service occupations).
• Appendix Skilled Occupations (figures as at 3 August 2026, re-checked 26 October 2026): Transitional tables only: Table 1a, Table 2aa.
• Going rate as the tables print it:
  • Table 1a, Going rate (SW – options A and D): £33,400 (£17.13 per hour)
  • Table 2aa, Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU): £25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

What the ONS says

Description

Playworkers deliver and facilitate play opportunities for children in a range of formal and informal settings including play schemes, free play locations, and in pre- and after-school activities.

Typical entry routes

Entry may not depend upon academic qualifications, although some employers will expect candidates to possess or be working towards a relevant qualification. NVQs/SVQs in Child Care and Education are available at levels 2 and 3. A DBS check is mandatory.

Tasks

• supervises children’s games and encourages the development of physical, social and language skills
• provides play areas and prepares materials for a wide range of children’s activities
• encourages children’s independence, self-confidence and social interaction
• organises and supervises children on excursions
• organises and supervises children’s activities in accordance with Health and Safety regulations, deals accordingly with injuries and emergencies
• puts away equipment and cleans premises after use
• liaises with parents, carers and colleagues and keeps appropriate records

Related job titles

• Afterschool club coordinator
• Play leader
• Playworker
• School club leader

What the Appendix Skilled Occupations says

The Appendix lists this code in the tables below, with the tables’ own caption and the row as printed. Read the full table, and any condition in it, on GOV.UK.

Table 1a: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

6117 Playworkers

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Playworkers

Going rate (SW – options A and D)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option B)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option C)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option E)

£33,400 (£17.13 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Table 2aa: Additional eligible SOC 2020 occupation codes and related going rates for Skilled Worker applicants granted permission under the rules in place before 22 July 2025

SOC 2020 occupation code

6117 Playworkers

Equivalent SOC 2010 occupation code(s)

3550, 6123

Examples of related job titles (non-exclusive)

• Playworkers

Going rate (SW – options F and I, GBM and SCU)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

90% of going rate (SW – option G)

Not applicable

80% of going rate (SW – option H)

Not applicable

70% of going rate (SW – option J, GTR)

£25,000 (£12.82 per hour)

Eligible for PhD points (SW)?

No

Other unit groups in minor group 611

• 6111 Early education and childcare assistants
• 6112 Teaching assistants
• 6113 Educational support assistants
• 6114 Childminders
• 6116 Nannies and au pairs

Sources

Occupation text: Office for National Statistics, SOC 2020 Volume 1: structure and descriptions of unit groups (file dated 27 August 2026, version V13). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence v3.0. Tables: Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Occupations on GOV.UK, page updated 3 August 2026; re-checked against the page updated 8 October 2026 on 26 October 2026, tables unchanged.

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