Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Play Specialist Trainee

The closing date is 31 August 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity for a play specialist trainee post ahs become available.

The successful candidate must be on the HPS foundation degree course already or have a secured place for September with a placement and mentor.

Main duties of the job

  • To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or departments
  • To work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings
  • To devise and implement specific play programmes (age and stage appropriate) to meet the continued individual needs and perform development and milestone assessments.
  • To organise and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital according to their individual needs and as part of their overall plan
  • To provide play based observations to support the overall assessment of children and young people
  • To provide therapeutic play intervention where necessary to include preparation, distraction and post procedural.
  • To establish effective communication, both verbally and written with children/families and the multi-disciplinary team
  • To understand and use play documentation to communicate relevant information and/or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word
  • To ensure that all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean, in good repair and stored safely
  • To ensure that a safe environment is created for children, their families and staff in accordance with the Trusts safety policy.

About us

With over 19,000 staff, we are one of the biggest employers in the city with a central role in supporting the health and wellbeing of our local population. We play a leading role in research, education and innovation.

Come and join our wonderful team at NUH. We are big believers in diversity and welcome new ideas to help develop our team in order to deliver world class healthcare to the vast patient populations we serve. With endless personal development opportunities available, at NUH we will endeavour to turn your job into a career!

We particularly welcome applications from people who identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, or Disabled, as we are striving to be better represented at NUH.

Details

Date posted

20 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

164-7391990

Job locations

Queens Medical Centre

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or departments
  • To work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings
  • To devise and implement specific play programmes (age and stage appropriate) to meet the continued individual needs and perform development and milestone assessments.
  • To organise and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital according to their individual needs and as part of their overall plan
  • To provide play based observations to support the overall assessment of children and young people
  • To provide therapeutic play intervention where necessary to include preparation, distraction and post procedural.
  • To establish effective communication, both verbally and written with children/families and the multi-disciplinary team
  • To understand and use play documentation to communicate relevant information and/or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word
  • To ensure that all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean, in good repair and stored safely
  • To ensure that a safe environment is created for children, their families and staff in accordance with the Trusts safety policy
  • To be responsible for achieving standards of care set by example and direction
  • To be involved in Personal Development reviews
  • To support play in audits
  • To demonstrate flexibility when required to work in other areas
  • To participate in play team meetings
  • To review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or departments
  • To work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings
  • To devise and implement specific play programmes (age and stage appropriate) to meet the continued individual needs and perform development and milestone assessments.
  • To organise and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital according to their individual needs and as part of their overall plan
  • To provide play based observations to support the overall assessment of children and young people
  • To provide therapeutic play intervention where necessary to include preparation, distraction and post procedural.
  • To establish effective communication, both verbally and written with children/families and the multi-disciplinary team
  • To understand and use play documentation to communicate relevant information and/or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word
  • To ensure that all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean, in good repair and stored safely
  • To ensure that a safe environment is created for children, their families and staff in accordance with the Trusts safety policy
  • To be responsible for achieving standards of care set by example and direction
  • To be involved in Personal Development reviews
  • To support play in audits
  • To demonstrate flexibility when required to work in other areas
  • To participate in play team meetings
  • To review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal

Person Specification

BOTH

Essential

  • HPS foundation course - secure place or on it
  • NNEB childcare qualification or equivalent

Desirable

  • safeguarding training

BOTH

Essential

  • 2 years minimum experience in a professional childcare setting
Person Specification

BOTH

Essential

  • HPS foundation course - secure place or on it
  • NNEB childcare qualification or equivalent

Desirable

  • safeguarding training

BOTH

Essential

  • 2 years minimum experience in a professional childcare setting

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Queens Medical Centre

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Employer's website

https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts

Address

Queens Medical Centre

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Employer's website

https://www.nuh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Play Specialist Lead

Jamie-Lee Phillipson

jamielee.phillipson@nhs.net

07368560785

Details

Date posted

20 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Pro Rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

164-7391990

Job locations

Queens Medical Centre

Derby Road

Nottingham

NG7 2UH


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trusts's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)