Job Summary
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Main duties of the job
We’re looking for a passionate, creative and highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist to join our dedicated team at UHS. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families during their hospital journey.
In this role, you’ll be at the centre of creating positive, meaningful experiences for children across the entire children’s hospital. Working closely with our multidisciplinary team, you’ll use specialised play techniques to support children through procedures, reduce anxiety, and help them feel safe, understood and empowered.
You’ll bring warmth, imagination and confidence to every interaction — whether you’re leading engaging distraction activities during treatments, transforming clinical spaces into welcoming child-friendly environments, or supporting families as they navigate challenging moments. Your ability to connect with children and young people of all ages will be key to helping them feel at ease and in control.
As a valued member of our team, you’ll also play an active role in mentoring and supporting colleagues, helping to shape a vibrant, collaborative and child-centred play service.
If you’re enthusiastic, flexible, and committed to delivering exceptional care through therapeutic play, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to bring joy, comfort and creativity to children when they need it most — and to be part of a team that truly makes a difference.
Person Specification
Trust Values
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Qualifications training required
Essential
- Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Children and Young People/ Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB.
- Registration with HPSET
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (up to date professional portfolio)
Desirable
- Additional training relevant to role
- Membership of Professional Body (NAHPS or CLC
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Experience of working with children and young people in a Hospital/ clinical setting.
- Good organisational and time management skills, able to work on own initiative.
- Experience of working effectively in a team.
- Ability to communicate and work with parents and or families under stress and in crisis.
- Knowledge of current best practice.
- Experience of supporting students.
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of children/young people.
- Knowledge of and ability to apply therapeutic interventions for children and young people experiencing difficulties with hospitalisation, treatment and chronic illness..
- Ability to plan and coordinate therapeutic input.
- Theoretical knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development.
- Knowledge of professional code of conduct and its application in practice
- Basic knowledge of health legislation and NAHPS guidelines for professional practice.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and young people with long-term health conditions and their families.
- Experience of working with children and young people with additional needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience with family-centred work
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: 21 May 2026
