Job summary
An amazing opportunity has arisen within the North West Anglia Play team.
If you are child-friendly, enthusiastic and registered Healthcare Play Specialist and, have worked with Children in a Healthcare setting and want to make a difference to a child's hospital journey apply now....
Main duties of the job
Play Team at North West Anglia Trust is expanding and recent developments have led to a stronger focus on providing play as an integral part of care across two sites.
Our service provides children and young people from 0-17years with support and interventions, contributing towards their holistic care, and experience. Our aim is to showcase the importance of play to the Multi-disciplinary team, working towards a healthy recovery for the child and young person.
As a Play Specialist working within our Trust you must be registered and qualified with a Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent, the expectations within your role are to use evidence based practice and theoretical knowledge to assess, plan, and implement therapeutic play in supporting the child or young person, and cross site work to support play service needs.
We have the following position- a Full time 37.5 hrs position.
Essential to hold: Healthcare Play Specialism qualification.
If you are and overseas candidate wishing to apply and would require sponsorship, you can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for this post by assessing your circumstances against criteria specified on the gov.uk website
About us
We are dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusivity within our workforce and warmly welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on encouraging those from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, as well as candidates from our local area.
As part of our commitment to supporting our employees we offer a range of benefits including:
- Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 27 days and increasing to 29 days after five years of service and 33 days after 10 years of service, in addition to the national Bank Holidays (pro-rata for part time staff);
- Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme:
- Flexible working opportunities;
- Enhanced hourly rates for unsociable hours e.g. night shifts, weekends, bank holidays;
- Opportunities for career development and training to help you progress in your role;
- Wellbeing support and activities to promote a healthy work environment;
- Access to our in-house physiotherapy service;
- On-site canteens offering subsidised meals;
- Subsidised staff parking (currently free);
- Free Stagecoach Bus Travel to and from work within Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles. Join us and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Play Specialist is a person with expert knowledge and experience of play with the well child and with the sick child/young person. She/he is a fully integrated member of the Health Professionals Team. The Play Specialist will work within the Play team but will work independently using their initiative, organisation, leadership and time management.
The Play Specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfil emotional, physical, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma within families. They will provide interesting and stimulating play programmes for children, young people and their families, ensuring to highlight the importance of play in assisting recovery and aiding development to all health professionals and students.
They will help to bridge the gap between hospital and home, creating a positive environment and a positive patient journey.
Play staff will work for the Play Services across the Childrens Division and will be asked to work in other areas and undertake Play Service projects
The post holder is expected to ensure that their own practice is of a safe standard and in accordance with the unit policies.
Create a safe and welcoming environment assessing the needs and views of children and young people to provide developmental and therapeutic play, ensuring that resources are clean and in good repair
Form supportive relationships with family members encouraging them to participate in play and assisting the developing needs of their child and aiding their recovery.
Provide play to accommodate all ages, and abilities, individually or in groups aware of individuals needs and liaise relevant information / concerns with Multi-disciplinary team.
Devise individual play programmes where appropriate fulfilling all developmental, psychological and social needs for long term patients or those with specific need. Communicate and document information in patients notes, maintaining confidentiality.
Liaise with all professionals within the multi-disciplinary team, e.g. physiotherapists, observing children / young people and act on findings, use play to make treatment more acceptable to the child.
Assess patients and provide distraction or diversional therapy with the child/young person undergoing painful or invasive procedures. Use preparation and distraction techniques as appropriate.
Act as a communication link, with Multi-Disciplinary team and outside agencies , offer help and support on matters concerning Play, representing the child and their family or the play team.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The Play Specialist is a person with expert knowledge and experience of play with the well child and with the sick child/young person. She/he is a fully integrated member of the Health Professionals Team. The Play Specialist will work within the Play team but will work independently using their initiative, organisation, leadership and time management.
The Play Specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfil emotional, physical, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma within families. They will provide interesting and stimulating play programmes for children, young people and their families, ensuring to highlight the importance of play in assisting recovery and aiding development to all health professionals and students.
They will help to bridge the gap between hospital and home, creating a positive environment and a positive patient journey.
Play staff will work for the Play Services across the Childrens Division and will be asked to work in other areas and undertake Play Service projects
The post holder is expected to ensure that their own practice is of a safe standard and in accordance with the unit policies.
Create a safe and welcoming environment assessing the needs and views of children and young people to provide developmental and therapeutic play, ensuring that resources are clean and in good repair
Form supportive relationships with family members encouraging them to participate in play and assisting the developing needs of their child and aiding their recovery.
Provide play to accommodate all ages, and abilities, individually or in groups aware of individuals needs and liaise relevant information / concerns with Multi-disciplinary team.
Devise individual play programmes where appropriate fulfilling all developmental, psychological and social needs for long term patients or those with specific need. Communicate and document information in patients notes, maintaining confidentiality.
Liaise with all professionals within the multi-disciplinary team, e.g. physiotherapists, observing children / young people and act on findings, use play to make treatment more acceptable to the child.
Assess patients and provide distraction or diversional therapy with the child/young person undergoing painful or invasive procedures. Use preparation and distraction techniques as appropriate.
Act as a communication link, with Multi-Disciplinary team and outside agencies , offer help and support on matters concerning Play, representing the child and their family or the play team.
Person Specification
Education/Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edexcel /BTEC in specialised play for sick child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB or international equivalent
- Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice
- Knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting
- Experience of effective working as a team member within an MDT
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with neurodiversity or challenging behaviours
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Up to date registration with HPSET
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Be prepared to work across sites as and when required
Person Specification
Education/Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism, Edexcel /BTEC in specialised play for sick child or the previous HPSC/HPSEB or international equivalent
- Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice
- Knowledge and understanding of therapeutic play and child development
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting
- Experience of effective working as a team member within an MDT
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with neurodiversity or challenging behaviours
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Up to date registration with HPSET
Values and Behaviours
Essential
- Be prepared to work across sites as and when required
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).
