Oncology Health Play Specialist – The Grand Appeal HPS: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

At The Grand Appeal – Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, we believe every child deserves the very best care, comfort and support during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. For over 30 years, The Grand Appeal has worked in partnership to support Bristol Children’s Hospital and St Michael’s Hospital transforming children’s healthcare.

We are now looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and experienced Oncology Health Play Specialist to join our dedicated Play Team on a two-year fixed-term contract.

This is an exciting opportunity to support children and young people receiving cancer treatment on Starlight Ward at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC).

This post isemployed and funded by The Grand Appeal and is based within the Play Department at BRHC. The successful candidate will hold an honorary contract with Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and will receive day-to-day line management from the Senior Health Play Specialist.

Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, you will provide specialist therapeutic play interventions that help children and young people understand, prepare for and cope with hospital treatment and procedures. Through play, distraction techniques and emotional support, you will help reduce anxiety, promote resilience and improve each child’s hospital experience.

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Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist therapeutic play interventions for children and young people receiving oncology care.
• Assess patients’ developmental, emotional and psychosocial needs and develop individual play plans.
• Prepare children and young people for medical procedures using evidence-based therapeutic play techniques.
• Support patients during procedures through distraction therapies and emotional reassurance.
• Respond to referrals from the multidisciplinary team and work collaboratively to deliver holistic patient-centred care.
• Promote normal play opportunities that support children’s emotional, social, developmental and creative needs during hospital admission.
• Work alongside the Health Playworker to prioritise patient care and ensure effective service delivery.
• Supervise students, volunteers, visitors and entertainers within the hospital environment.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Uphold the values, policies and professional standards of both The Grand Appeal and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

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Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Foundation Degree (FdA) in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent
• Current HPSET registration (or overseas equivalent) or be in the process of re-registering. You will be required to remain registered with HPSET (or overseas equivalent) whilst in post

Knowledge and skills

Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel and other in-house systems
• Promotes positive working relationships with all colleagues within the play team and wider multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands
• Ability to work under own initiative and to motivate others

Desirable

• Excellent time management skills

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working as a Health Play Specialist with children in a hospital setting
• 2 years’ experience of working in a play/early years/education/youth work setting
• Excellent knowledge of child development
• Experience of assessing patients’ needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play

Desirable

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels

Closing Date: 23 August 2026