Job summary
Zoes
Place Baby Hospice provides 24 hour respite, palliative and end of life care
for babies and children up to the age of six years with life-limiting and life
threatening complex needs. Play leaders are a key member of the Zoes Place
team workforce, working with nurses, health care assistants, fundraising staff,
play specialists and outside agencies. The play leader will develop age
appropriate play plans for children with complex care needs, contributing
towards the holistic care of our children. To promote an awareness of the
emotional needs of children and the importance of play within the care team. To
work in partnership with parents, siblings, carers and care staff, encouraging
positive play experiences. The post holder will ensure that all care and
interactions are of the highest standards.
Main duties of the job
Establish and maintain effective communication with children, families
and professionals across health and social care services.
Ensure that all children receive the appropriate
play and stimulation related to their emotional / developmental needs. Organise
and facilitate said play with support.
To devise individualised play plans for children.
To create individual developmental and play
assessments for each and every child, adjusting when the childs needs have
changed, with support.
To ensure that individual childrens care plans are
followed to the highest standards.
To provide psycho-social, emotional and physical
care and support to children and families.
Through the provision of play provide support for
the families and siblings that are under stress and in crisis, demonstrating a
commitment to family centred care.
Inform, educate, support and advise families in the
role of play.
To normalise hospice environment to replicate
activities which can be done in other settings.
To advocate for the child and families, recognising
challenges and supporting decisions and choices.
To arrange trips and activities for children in
line with Zoes Place outings policy.
To promote an awareness of the emotional needs of
children and the importance of play within a care team.
Creating opportunities for legacy building (memory
making) for families, by providing them with options and resources.
Contribute to the selection and purchase of toys
and play equipment
About us
Zoes Place Baby Hospice specialises in supporting early-years children who have life-limiting or life-threatening complex illnesses or profound disabilities with a wide range of diagnoses.
Our nurse-led care focusses on helping babies and young children make the most of everyday moments and experiences, with further support available for the whole family.
We offer a range of therapies and activities for children who stay with us for regular, short stay respite care, helping them to embrace their childhood. For those children who sadly need it, we provide end of life care and are able to support families after the death of a child.
Family members and carers can access counselling and complementary therapies to help support them through their childs illnesses, with bereavement counselling available.
Our team of paediatric nurses, play leaders and counsellors offer additional support to the siblings of children using our services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
o
To develop play plans, contributing towards the
holistic care of children.
o
To promote an awareness of the emotional needs
of children in a hospice setting, and the importance of play within the
multi-disciplinary team.
o
To adhere to Zoes Place Trust policies and
procedures, guidelines and standards at all times and to promote these to
others.
o
To ensure that up to date written play records
and activity data are maintained and daily recorded via Chase and patient notes
in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
o
Attend and participate in an annual appraisal
and regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps in
knowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self-development.
o
To encourage and promote the philosophy of
Zoes Place and present a good public image, to co-operate with all staff in
maintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to uphold
charitys image and to win increased support for its work.
o
To report any incidents and accidents to the
nurse in charge in a timely manner and ensure that they are recorded in the
appropriate documentation.
o
To promote and maintain dignity, privacy and
confidentiality at all times.
o
To conduct yourself at all times in a
professional manner in both appearance and conduct.
Job description
Job responsibilities
o
To develop play plans, contributing towards the
holistic care of children.
o
To promote an awareness of the emotional needs
of children in a hospice setting, and the importance of play within the
multi-disciplinary team.
o
To adhere to Zoes Place Trust policies and
procedures, guidelines and standards at all times and to promote these to
others.
o
To ensure that up to date written play records
and activity data are maintained and daily recorded via Chase and patient notes
in accordance with professional and Trust standards.
o
Attend and participate in an annual appraisal
and regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps in
knowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self-development.
o
To encourage and promote the philosophy of
Zoes Place and present a good public image, to co-operate with all staff in
maintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to uphold
charitys image and to win increased support for its work.
o
To report any incidents and accidents to the
nurse in charge in a timely manner and ensure that they are recorded in the
appropriate documentation.
o
To promote and maintain dignity, privacy and
confidentiality at all times.
o
To conduct yourself at all times in a
professional manner in both appearance and conduct.
Person Specification
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication skills with adults and children with complex care needs
- Able to adapt to a changing environment
- Professional boundaries
- Work autonomously
- Able to plan implement and evaluate play programmes.
Desirable
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent use of the English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience working/ caring for children with complex care needs.
- Play therapy within a school, hospital or hospice environment
Desirable
- Experience of supporting families who have experienced loss or bereavement
- Experience of working with children with complex care needs
Qualifications
Essential
- Foundation degree in Healthcare play specialist or BA HONS in Children and early childhood/early years sector degree or Degree in education studies or Early years foundation degree or BA HONS Childhood studies or NVQ Level 3 or 4 diploma in early years education or childcare
Person Specification
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Excellent communication skills with adults and children with complex care needs
- Able to adapt to a changing environment
- Professional boundaries
- Work autonomously
- Able to plan implement and evaluate play programmes.
Desirable
- Basic IT skills
- Excellent use of the English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Experience
Essential
- Experience working/ caring for children with complex care needs.
- Play therapy within a school, hospital or hospice environment
Desirable
- Experience of supporting families who have experienced loss or bereavement
- Experience of working with children with complex care needs
Qualifications
Essential
- Foundation degree in Healthcare play specialist or BA HONS in Children and early childhood/early years sector degree or Degree in education studies or Early years foundation degree or BA HONS Childhood studies or NVQ Level 3 or 4 diploma in early years education or childcare
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.
