Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the established Play Service at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on a part-time basis.
This is a varied and rewarding role that requires flexibility, as you will work across the Helena Specialist Nursing Team and Ryegate House, as well as supporting children and families through home and school visits. You will be joining a welcoming and experienced hospital play team.
As a Play Leader, you will be responsible for organising and delivering engaging, age-appropriate play and recreational activities for children and young people aged 0-19 years who attend Ryegate House or receive support in the community from the Helena team.
About You
- Childcare level 3 qualification
- Access to own car
Main duties of the job
Reporting into the Play specialist and Play Service Manager some of your responsibilities will include:
- Provide play services across all areas where children and young people are seen, with working hours aligned to their needs, including evenings and weekends.
- Deliver play activities that are tailored to the age, stage, and individual needs of children and young people across the Trust.
- Maintain a welcoming, safe, and age-appropriate environment for all children and young people accessing the service.
- Work alongside the Play Specialist to deliver a range of play and distraction programmes that support both developmental and therapeutic needs.
- Actively promote and contribute to the ongoing development of the play service across the organisation.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- English Language GCSE A-C or Level 2 equivalent
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education / NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing
- NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development or other professional
- Childcare Qualification at Level 3 or above
Desirable
- Hospital Play Certificate
- Play-work Sector Endorsed Foundation degree (PSEFD)
- 1 year experience working in a child care setting
- Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development
Experience
Essential
- Working with children
- Able to support volunteers and play assistants
Desirable
- Caring responsibilities Working within health service
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Family friendly environment
- Maintaining a safe environment
- Basic knowledge of Safeguarding/Child Protection
- To understand the importance of play to minimise the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family
- To promote development of child
- Written, verbal and non-verbal communication
- Organisational skills
- Numeracy and literacy skills
- Time-management skills
- To have basic key board / I.T. skills to effectively use hospital information systems, including inputting data
- To have up to date mandatory training in moving and handling techniques including wheel chairs, hoists and trolleys
- To have knowledge of child protection and safeguarding Level 1
- To have knowledge of Infection prevention and control measures
Desirable
- Infection Control
- Knowledge of issues relating to consent, child protection and confidentiality
- Knowledge of developmental, therapeutic play, preparation and distraction for all age hospitalised children
- Ability to evaluate and reflect on own practice Food Handling
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Commitment to: Caring environment Flexible working
Desirable
- Ability to be flexible within stated hours and areas of work.
Demonstrates Trust Values
Essential
- Compassion Accountability Respect Excellence
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: 02 July 2026
