Job summary
Are you looking for a workplace where you're welcomed each
day by supportive & friendly colleagues?
Where you're part of a dedicated team?
Where your work contributes to delivering the highest
quality care, and every day ends with the knowledge that you've made a
meaningful difference to a child or young person?
If your answer is yes, then Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice
might just be the perfect place for you.
Join our Family Support Team as a Play Specialist and bring
more than just your skills, bring your purpose.
Were looking for someone who's driven by a genuine desire
to make a difference. You take ownership of your work, act with integrity, and
show up as your authentic self. You value individuality, your own and others
and thrive in a team that celebrates diversity, creativity, and compassion.
The role
To work as part of our Family Support Team to plan, develop and lead a wide range of therapeutic play opportunities for babies, children and young people with complex, life shortening illnesses to support developmental, therapeutic and palliative care needs in a range of environments.
Main duties of the job
The requirements:
To fulfil the role effectively you will be a creative
individual who fosters an inclusive approach in all that you do to meet the
needs of babies, children and young people. You will have experience of working
with children and young people who have complex needs, offering bespoke support
as an integral part of the service offer.
About you:
To
succeed in this role, we are looking for someone who will embody our values,
work confidently with key attention to detail, engage with everyone in our
hospice, and has an absolute willingness to learn.
In
return, we can offer you a fantastic working environment and the following
benefits:
25
days annual leave plus bank holidays with the option to buy and sell
Employee
assistance programme - including mental health care and out of hours GP
access
A
commitment to your professional development
Matched
pension scheme of 5% of salary
Bluebell
Wood enhanced maternity and paternity pay (unrelated to NHS conditions)
Enhanced
night shift pay.
Free
parking on main site
Subsidised
lunch
Free
tea and coffee
Cycle
to work scheme
Eligible
for NHS Blue Light Card
Access
to rewards portal
If
you are passionate about making a difference, we cannot wait to hear from
you.
About us
About us:
Our
vision at Bluebell Wood is for every baby, child and young person with a life
limiting condition to access specialist palliative care, where and when they
need it. You will join our fantastic
team where we all play our part in achieving our vision and creating an
incredible culture for everyone.
Our services
Our uncompromisable support services are wide-ranging and
bespoke to each family. We provide
symptom management, end-of-life care, post-death care, short breaks,
counselling, sibling support groups, music therapy, home visits and more.
We support
families across a large geographical area, including South Yorkshire, North
Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and parts of North Lincolnshire. The hospice
is easily accessible from Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster, Sheffield and North
Notts. We have free secure on-site parking for families, staff and volunteers
to use.
Every year
we need to raise £6.7m to keep our doors open and only around 17% of our income
comes from government sources, the rest must be raised through fundraising
activity.
Job description
Job responsibilities
TITLE OF POST: Play Specialist
ACCOUNTABLE
TO: Head of Family Support
About us
Our Vision
For every baby,
child and young person with a life limiting condition to access specialist
palliative care,
where and when they need it.
Our Mission
Whether in the
hospice, at home or in partnership with another provider in a different
setting, babies, children and young people will experience the same
high-quality palliative and end of life care, and beyond, alongside specialist
family support.
Our Values
We have worked together to create a new set of
values which represent our aims as an organisation
and these align perfectly with our overall
strategy, ensuring that every decision we make and every action we take
is guided by these principles.
JOB PURPOSE
To plan, develop
and lead a wide range of therapeutic play opportunities for babies, children
and young people with complex, life shortening illnesses to support
developmental, therapeutic and palliative care needs in a range of
environments.
MAIN DUTIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work independently and alongside colleagues to
visit children and young people in their home, school or hospital to provide
bespoke age-appropriate therapeutic play services.
Manage a caseload of children and young people identified
as needing temporary targeted intervention.
Ensure the hospice is well resourced with a wide
range of stimulating and therapeutic activities pertaining to play.
Plan, develop and facilitate group work
opportunities, designed to promote the benefits of therapeutic play for
children and families.
Evaluate the effectiveness of service provision by
providing regular opportunities for feedback.
Support in identifying gaps in the service and make
recommendations regarding service delivery and development.
Keep clear and accurate records to document visits,
bookings and all communication with individuals and family members.
Support and educate colleagues in the delivery of therapeutic play as part of a holistic approach
to pain management, distraction techniques and general wellbeing.
Maintain links with other agencies,
hospices, and non-statutory services to share good practise on service
provision and support where necessary.
KEY TASKS:
Work with babies, children and young people,
during in house stays, providing bespoke opportunities for play suitable to
their needs and preferences.
Develop one-page profiles for children and young
people to capture key information about their needs and preferences.
Create and maintain dedicated space within the
hospice to promote play, stimulation and fun.
Complete robust risk
assessments for all therapeutic play provision; both group and individual, to
ensure full health and safety compliance.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of
safeguarding children and vulnerable young adults.
Theoretical knowledge of child development, with
a clear understanding and ability to apply play preparation, distraction
therapy and post procedural play skills.
Sensitive
and empathetic of the complex needs of others.
Inclusive and adaptable in approaches to working
with individuals and groups with varying needs and abilities.
Creative, fun and engaging.
COMMUNICATION:
Utilise
skills to effectively communicate with children and young people with a range
of communication preferences to promote and maintain inclusivity.
Establish
and maintain effective communication with families, including using verbal,
email and telephone communication.
Establish
and maintain effective communication with relevant individuals and groups to
support children, young people and family members; including key members of the
hospice; volunteers; service users; statutory and voluntary organisations.
Understand
the importance of, and maintain, the need for confidentiality in all individual
and hospice matters.
GENERAL:
All Bluebell Wood employees are required to:
Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act
Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding
children and young adults
Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice
areas
Work within Hospice policies and procedures
Demonstratable understanding and application of the
provisions of GDPR
Comply with the Hospice no smoking policy
Participate in and contribute to team meetings
Co-operate and liaise with colleagues
Behave in a professional manner at all times
Act as an ambassador for Bluebell
Wood Childrens Hospice, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always
work in the best interests of the charity.
All Bluebell Wood employees are expected to:
Demonstrate
a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and
training opportunities and develop their own competence
Support
and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships
Make a
positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice
This job description is not exhaustive.
It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following
discussion between the post-holder and employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
TITLE OF POST: Play Specialist
ACCOUNTABLE
TO: Head of Family Support
About us
Our Vision
For every baby,
child and young person with a life limiting condition to access specialist
palliative care,
where and when they need it.
Our Mission
Whether in the
hospice, at home or in partnership with another provider in a different
setting, babies, children and young people will experience the same
high-quality palliative and end of life care, and beyond, alongside specialist
family support.
Our Values
We have worked together to create a new set of
values which represent our aims as an organisation
and these align perfectly with our overall
strategy, ensuring that every decision we make and every action we take
is guided by these principles.
JOB PURPOSE
To plan, develop
and lead a wide range of therapeutic play opportunities for babies, children
and young people with complex, life shortening illnesses to support
developmental, therapeutic and palliative care needs in a range of
environments.
MAIN DUTIES &
RESPONSIBILITIES
Work independently and alongside colleagues to
visit children and young people in their home, school or hospital to provide
bespoke age-appropriate therapeutic play services.
Manage a caseload of children and young people identified
as needing temporary targeted intervention.
Ensure the hospice is well resourced with a wide
range of stimulating and therapeutic activities pertaining to play.
Plan, develop and facilitate group work
opportunities, designed to promote the benefits of therapeutic play for
children and families.
Evaluate the effectiveness of service provision by
providing regular opportunities for feedback.
Support in identifying gaps in the service and make
recommendations regarding service delivery and development.
Keep clear and accurate records to document visits,
bookings and all communication with individuals and family members.
Support and educate colleagues in the delivery of therapeutic play as part of a holistic approach
to pain management, distraction techniques and general wellbeing.
Maintain links with other agencies,
hospices, and non-statutory services to share good practise on service
provision and support where necessary.
KEY TASKS:
Work with babies, children and young people,
during in house stays, providing bespoke opportunities for play suitable to
their needs and preferences.
Develop one-page profiles for children and young
people to capture key information about their needs and preferences.
Create and maintain dedicated space within the
hospice to promote play, stimulation and fun.
Complete robust risk
assessments for all therapeutic play provision; both group and individual, to
ensure full health and safety compliance.
SKILLS REQUIRED:
Demonstrable knowledge and experience of
safeguarding children and vulnerable young adults.
Theoretical knowledge of child development, with
a clear understanding and ability to apply play preparation, distraction
therapy and post procedural play skills.
Sensitive
and empathetic of the complex needs of others.
Inclusive and adaptable in approaches to working
with individuals and groups with varying needs and abilities.
Creative, fun and engaging.
COMMUNICATION:
Utilise
skills to effectively communicate with children and young people with a range
of communication preferences to promote and maintain inclusivity.
Establish
and maintain effective communication with families, including using verbal,
email and telephone communication.
Establish
and maintain effective communication with relevant individuals and groups to
support children, young people and family members; including key members of the
hospice; volunteers; service users; statutory and voluntary organisations.
Understand
the importance of, and maintain, the need for confidentiality in all individual
and hospice matters.
GENERAL:
All Bluebell Wood employees are required to:
Abide by the Health & Safety at Work Act
Adhere to policy and procedures around safeguarding
children and young adults
Respect confidentiality applying to all Hospice
areas
Work within Hospice policies and procedures
Demonstratable understanding and application of the
provisions of GDPR
Comply with the Hospice no smoking policy
Participate in and contribute to team meetings
Co-operate and liaise with colleagues
Behave in a professional manner at all times
Act as an ambassador for Bluebell
Wood Childrens Hospice, reflecting the objectives and values, and to always
work in the best interests of the charity.
All Bluebell Wood employees are expected to:
Demonstrate
a commitment to their own development, to take advantage of education and
training opportunities and develop their own competence
Support
and encourage harmonious internal and external working relationships
Make a
positive contribution to fundraising and raising the profile of the Hospice
This job description is not exhaustive.
It will be subject to periodic review and may be amended following
discussion between the post-holder and employer.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant and relevant experience of working with children, young people (aged 0-25 years old) and families receiving palliative care and/or with complex health needs and/or disabilities
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of therapeutic play and child development
- Experience of working with wider multi-disciplinary teams/others
- Demonstrable experience of designing and facilitating group work.
- Demonstrable experience of working with children and young people with various communication needs and preferences.
- Demonstrable experience of planning and delivering services to children and young people across a wide age and capability range.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers.
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of safeguarding children and vulnerable young adults.
- Demonstrable knowledge of current best practice in play for children with complex needs, including an understanding of the rights of children to have choice and equity of access to therapeutic play opportunities.
- Theoretical knowledge of child development, with a clear understanding and ability to apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play skills.
- The ability to assess individuals emotional and behavioural needs and provide appropriate support.
- Excellent communication skills and a strong ability to manage the expectations of others
- Demonstrable ability to manage priorities and time effectively.
- Demonstrable knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (to basic level) and database systems
Other
Essential
- Legally entitled to work in this country
- Able to work across different settings as required.
- Ability to work flexibly over a 7-day week including regular weekends, occasional evenings and bank holidays, at the hospice and in the community.
- Full driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle and business insurance cover
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC in specialised play for sick child or the previous
- HPSC/HPSEB or international equivalent
Desirable
- Level 2 or above in BSL or Makaton
Personal qualities
Essential
- Confident and approachable in nature
- Sensitive and empathetic of the complex needs of others
- Inclusive and adaptable in approaches to working with individuals and groups with varying needs and abilities
- Trustworthy, reliable and able to maintain confidentiality
- Creative, fun and engaging
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Significant and relevant experience of working with children, young people (aged 0-25 years old) and families receiving palliative care and/or with complex health needs and/or disabilities
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of therapeutic play and child development
- Experience of working with wider multi-disciplinary teams/others
- Demonstrable experience of designing and facilitating group work.
- Demonstrable experience of working with children and young people with various communication needs and preferences.
- Demonstrable experience of planning and delivering services to children and young people across a wide age and capability range.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting in the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers.
Skills / Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrable knowledge and experience of safeguarding children and vulnerable young adults.
- Demonstrable knowledge of current best practice in play for children with complex needs, including an understanding of the rights of children to have choice and equity of access to therapeutic play opportunities.
- Theoretical knowledge of child development, with a clear understanding and ability to apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play skills.
- The ability to assess individuals emotional and behavioural needs and provide appropriate support.
- Excellent communication skills and a strong ability to manage the expectations of others
- Demonstrable ability to manage priorities and time effectively.
- Demonstrable knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint (to basic level) and database systems
Other
Essential
- Legally entitled to work in this country
- Able to work across different settings as required.
- Ability to work flexibly over a 7-day week including regular weekends, occasional evenings and bank holidays, at the hospice and in the community.
- Full driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle and business insurance cover
Qualifications
Essential
- BTEC in specialised play for sick child or the previous
- HPSC/HPSEB or international equivalent
Desirable
- Level 2 or above in BSL or Makaton
Personal qualities
Essential
- Confident and approachable in nature
- Sensitive and empathetic of the complex needs of others
- Inclusive and adaptable in approaches to working with individuals and groups with varying needs and abilities
- Trustworthy, reliable and able to maintain confidentiality
- Creative, fun and engaging
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.
