There is an exciting opportunity to join our Play Team at GOSH as a Senior Play Worker for Learning Disability and Autism. We have a One Team ethos, and you will be required to support your fellow Play Team members across the whole hospital.
Play is integral to the wellbeing of children, young people and families, and this post will see you use your knowledge of play and child development to provide normalising play opportunities, promoting a positive patient experience.
The role of the Senior Play Worker enhances children and young people’s hospital experiences. This may be at the bedside or in a playroom setting, bringing your creative skills, enthusiasm and passion to deliver meaningful play opportunities, while providing much needed family support.
You will provide high quality, holistic play for all children and their families across the Trust, enabling them to feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment.
You will ensure that all children and young people have appropriate access to play whilst at the hospital and offer opportunities to play that reflects diversity and inclusivity.
Main duties of the job
- Lead in an area of speciality- learning disabilities; taking opportunities to develop the collective knowledge and disseminating up-to-date learning to the Play Team and wider healthcare team within the hospital.
- Using theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate bespoke play sessions for children with a learning disability and/ or autism.
- To provide the direct link between the Learning Disability and Autism team and the Play Team.
- To consult with individual Play Team members, sharing knowledge and best practice for the patient to continue to receive play which meets their individual requirements.
- Design and maintain a safe, play-focused environment where play is led by the patient and can occur naturally.
- Provide play opportunities for the normalisation of hospital attendance as an inpatient or outpatient.
- To share your skills and knowledge with parents and include parents and families in play sessions where appropriate.
- Use your knowledge of child development through to adulthood when selecting recreational / play activities.
- Work alongside and supervise Volunteers and Students.
- To ensure appropriate sensory play equipment is available for those who need it.
- To advise and support Playworkers and Play Specialists across the service in planning and delivering effective play opportunities for patients with a Learning Disability.
Person Specification
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies
- Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Math’s (GCSE Grade A* – C)
Desirable
- Educated to level 5 in relevant subject (Play work/Child Development/Therapeutic Play) odiploma of higher education (DipHE)
- Level 5 qualifications are – foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), level 5 award, level 5 certificate, level 5 diploma, level 5 NVQ
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
- Significant experience of working with babies, children and young people with learning disabilities in a play, education or hospital setting.
- Knowledge and experience of varying communication methods i.e., Makaton/PECS
- Experience in working within a diverse team- promoting and celebrating inclusivity within the workplace culture.
- Experience of work and support for children and young people with learning disabilities.
- Experience of working with parents, professionals, and teams.
- Experience of team working.
- Knowledge and understanding of child development
- Understanding and awareness of confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Understanding of professional boundaries and the sensitivities
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and young people who are non-verbal.
- Completed Makaton Training within the last 5 years (any or all levels between 1-4)
- Knowledge of the value of play for children and young people in hospital.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work with and provide activities to individual and groups of children and young people
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to understanding and adhere to professional boundaries of the role, and to line manager where necessary
- Good organisational skills
- Health, safety, and risk awareness. Documentation and data input skills IT Skills- for word, excel and teams etc.
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 17 June 2025
