Contents

  1. Career development and progression with Bexley Council
  2. Place Directorate - Neighbourhoods, Housing and Strategic Planning
  3. E-learning – mandatory training
  4. Highways, Traffic and Infrastructure
  5. Environmental services
  6. Economic development and skills
  7. Libraries and communities
  8. Strategic planning: Transport and development, planning policy, place making and building control
  9. Planning and regulations
  10. Housing services
  11. Leisure, parks and open spaces
  12. Parking services

11. Leisure, parks and open spaces

Learning and development opportunities

We are dedicated to supporting continuous professional development and providing a wide range of learning opportunities to help our employees grow and succeed. Our training covers health and safety, project management, and sector-specific skills, ensuring employees are equipped to meet the changing demands of the leisure, parks, and open spaces sector. Alongside structured coaching sessions, we offer access to external courses, conferences, and industry networking events. These opportunities help our team enhance their skills, improve performance, and progress in their careers.

Health and safety training

  • Comprehensive internal and external health and safety training
  • COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) training
  • Training on the safe use of dangerous machinery
  • Working at heights safety training

Other learning opportunities

  • Ad-hoc Development: On-the-job learning and collaboration within teams
  • Team Meetings: Regular sessions focusing on industry updates and upskilling, including:
    • Sports and Recreation – Industry developments and skills enhancement
    • Contract Management – Change management and cultural change
  • Conferences and Networking:
    • Attendance at relevant conferences and networking meetings
    • Courses, seminars, and workshops organised by national agencies such as Sport England
    • Regional training sessions run by organisations like London Sport
  • Sector-Specific Learning:
    • Parks and Grounds – Networking groups, meetings, and courses, including "Good Parks for London"
    • Woodlands and Trees – Seminars and engagement with the Association of Arboriculture Officers
    • Cemeteries and Burials – Training by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM)
    • Specialised Training – Engagement with the South East London Coroners Service and other role-specific training

Project management

We offer short external and internal workshops on project management to ensure the efficient delivery of infrastructure projects:

  • Project Management Apprenticeships: Structured training programmes from Level 3 up to Level 6
  • Procurement and Licensing: Training on procurement concession regulations and managing licences

Coaching programmes

  • Strong emphasis on professional development through structured coaching programmes
  • Internal pool of coaches offers up to six tailored sessions to support self-reflection, performance improvement, and career progression

Progression routes

Career grade system

The career grade system allows officers to progress to more senior grades within a single post as they acquire qualifications, knowledge, and experience in their discipline.

Progression route within hall place

  • Hall Place - Steward
  • Hall Place – Senior Customer Services & Events Officer / Operational Support Officer
  • Hall Place - Education Officer
  • Hall Place - Museums and Collections Officer (heritage qualification required)
  • Hall Place - Commercial Manager (qualification in Business Management or heritage required)

Progression route within grounds team

  • Grounds Maintenance Officer
  • Hall Place - Seasonal Gardener
  • Hall Place - Gardener (Royal Horticultural Society qualifications required)
  • Hall Place - Skilled Gardener (Royal Horticultural Society qualifications required)
  • Head Gardener Hall Place / Deputy Gardener (Royal Horticultural Society qualifications required)
  • Senior Grounds Officer (Royal Horticultural Society qualifications required)
  • Parks IT Development & Support Officer (relevant qualifications required)
  • Green Spaces Contract and Development Manager (degree in Horticulture or Green Spaces Management required)

Specialist expertise

  • Tree Valuation Expertise: Tree team conducts CAVET workshops via the London Tree Officers Association / Arboriculture Association to assess tree value for depreciation and damage.
  • Contract Management Experience: Teams are handling contract management and negotiation.
  • Current IT Systems:
    • Parks team uses Confirm as their CRM system
    • Cemeteries use BACAS
    • New playground software anticipated this year

Progression route for tree and nature conservation

  • Tree and Woodlands Officer (Level 3 Arboriculture qualification required)
  • Tree and Nature Conservation Manager (Level 3 Arboriculture qualification required)

Qualifications held by current tree and conservation officers

  • NPTC Award in Chainsaw and Related Operations – CS30
  • NPTC Award for Felling and Processing Small Trees – CS31
  • NPTC CS32 – Felling
  • NPTC Award to Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Rescue – CS38
  • NPTC Award to Operate a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness – CS39
  • NPTC CS41 – Dismantling & Rigging Operations
  • NPTC Level 3 Certificate of Competence in the Thorough Examination of Arboriculture
  • Tree Technician’s Certificate (ABC)
  • Professional Tree Inspector Certificate (LANTRA)
  • SEG Awards Level 2 Certificate in Arboriculture (ABC)
  • Level 3 Arboriculture (Edexcel – A-level equivalent)
  • SEG Awards Level 4 in Arboriculture – Award (ABC)
  • SEG Awards Level 4 in Arboriculture – Certificate (ABC)

Progression route for parks and landscapes

  • Allotments and Cemeteries Technician
  • Cemetery Officer (ICCM - Cemetery Management and Compliance qualification required)
  • Parks & Events Development Officer
  • Parks & Cemeteries Development Officer
  • Partnership and Activities Manager – Lesnes Abbey Woods
  • Estates Manager – Lesnes Abbey Woods
  • Parks & Landscapes Manager (degree in Landscape or Horticulture required)

There are a variety of qualifications relevant to these roles, many of which are already held by our current officers.

Qualifications

Cemetery Officer

  • ICCM - Cemetery Management and Compliance
  • Diploma Course in Management of the Dead
  • Certificate with Credit – Funeral Arranging Administration

Allotments and cemeteries technician

  • APSE Project Management in Local Government
  • APSE The Bereavement Journey
  • APSE Managing Allotments
  • APSE Cemetery Management & Compliance
  • Level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace
  • BTEC Level 3 in Principles of Business Administration

Parks IT development & support officer

  • BA Joint Hons – Business and Information Systems
  • SQL and Cognos Impromptu Training

Parks & landscapes manager

  • ICCM - Cemetery Management and Compliance
  • Level 2 Health & Safety in the Workplace
  • RPII Outdoor Operational Playground Inspection
  • ArcGIS Map Editing and Management Course
  • 2-Day Tree Inspection Course – Hadlow College
  • Green Flag Judge Training
  • BSc (Hons) Landscape and Amenity Management
  • NVQ Level 2 Hard & Soft Landscaping

Progression route within sports and leisure

  • Outdoor Recreation Assistant / Outdoor Recreation Assistant – Water Sports
  • PE Programme Coordinator
  • Outdoor Operations Officer / Sports Development Officer / Active for Health Officer
    (Desired: Degree in Sports and Leisure or PE)
  • Danson Lake Manager (Requires RYA Chief Instructor Qualification)
  • Assistant Instructor
  • Senior Instructor
  • PE & Sports Liaison Officer / Projects and Contracts Officer
  • Outdoor Recreation Manager (Requires Leisure Management Degree)
  • Contracts Manager (Requires Leisure Management Degree)
  • Active for Health Manager
    (Requires Leisure Management or Business/Finance Degree)

All these career routes could lead to the Head of Leisure, Parks & Open Spaces role, which requires a relevant degree qualification in one or more of the specialties listed above.

Leadership development through Bexley leadership academy

The Bexley Leadership Academy is now open to staff at all levels who manage others or are emerging leaders.

  • Leadership Essentials 1: Designed for staff who either manage teams or are aspiring to leadership roles. This course provides training on technical systems, Bexley Council processes, and operational procedures, equipping participants with core managerial skills.
  • Leadership Essentials 2: This program focuses on leadership behaviours that align with Bexley Council’s values, culture, and strategic goals, fostering both soft skills and strategic thinking.

Relevant apprenticeships

  • Level 2: Horticulture or Landscape Construction Operative Apprenticeship
  • Level 2: Arborist Apprenticeship
  • Level 2: Leisure Team Member
  • Level 3: Landscape Technician Apprenticeship
  • Level 3: Horticulture or Landscaping Supervisor Apprenticeship
  • Level 3: Leisure Duty Manager
  • Level 3: Community Sport and Health Officer
  • Level 4: Arboriculturist Apprenticeship
  • Level 5: Outdoor Learning Specialist
  • Level 3 / 4 / 6: Project Manager (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship
  • Level 7: Chartered Landscape Professional Apprenticeship

These learning opportunities ensure that our team is well-equipped to manage the evolving challenges of the leisure, parks, and open spaces sector.

Find out more on apprenticeships