Job Summary
The play specialist is a person with expert knowledge and experience of play with the well child and with the sick child/ young person. The play specialist is fully integrated member of the health professional’s team. The play specialist will work within the play service and ward/ team environment but also they will work independently using their own initiative, organisation, leadership, and time management. The play specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic and socialised play techniques for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma within families.
They will help to bridge a gap between hospital and home, creating a positive environment and a positive patient journey. The play specialist will provide interesting and stimulating play programmes for children and young people. They will highlight the importance of play in assisting recovery and aiding development to all health professionals and students.
Main duties of the job
To be a communicating link with health care professionals between the child and the parents/carer including internal and external professionals.
Assess the needs and views of children and young people to provide developmental and therapeutic play activities creating an environment both comfortable and enjoyable.
Make time to listen to anxious children, young people and family members including siblings and help give emotional support when required. Document and communicate relative information to other health professionals.
Provide specialised distraction and post procedural play within a variety of clinics.
Provide normalising play for all inpatients.
Devise individual play sessions where appropriate and monitor the emotional well being of long term patients.
Person Specification
Education and Qualification
Essential
- (Registered) Foundation Degree or NVQ Level 4 also NNEB/BTEC Diploma in Nursery Nursing or BTEC Diploma in Childcare & Development (relevant childcare qualification NVQ level 3 equivalent )
Desirable
Skills, Knowledge and abilities
Essential
- Understanding of developmental, social and psychological needs of children, young people and their families
- Knowledge of developmental needs from birth to 18 years incorporating all special needs, cultures and diversities
- Understanding health & safety issues and confidentiality/data protection
- Document and report writing skills
Desirable
- Clinical skills in all aspects of developmental, therapeutic & specialised play
Experience
Essential
- Post qualification experience working in childcare/youth work setting: Experience working with the well child/young person Experience of working with child/young people with complex health needs Hospital experience Experience in Psychological -Preparation & Distraction/Diversional
Desirable
- Community work/ home/ school visits. Team work experience Youth worker experience Special needs experience Working with children/young people in groups or individually Working with different cultures
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Good role model Keen and quick to learn Flexibility Good time management Professional Approach Good communication to children/young people and parents and all disciplines Honest, reliable and trustworthy
- Leading play service in area of work and leading projects and schemes. Ability to empower other health care professionals in providing specialised play materials and interaction. Able to use own initiative and within a team Forward thinking Ability to reflect practice through literature research and action research Show willingness to learn and develop self and practice. Ability to work with families under stress
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
