Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Play Specialist

The closing date is 01 September 2025

Job summary

Play Specialist- Band 4

Full/part time - Permanent role

Children and Young People -Apprentice

Emergency Department

An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Children and Young Peoples Emergency Department at Tameside Hospital.

The Children and Young Peoples (C&YP ED) is excited to announce the introduction of an ApprenticePlaySpecialist Healthcare worker. This is a new and exciting addition to our newly developed C&YP ED. The department has a dedicated Resuscitation room , CAMHS (Child and Mental Health support) Room, dedicated isolation cubicles and waiting area.The department has dedicated Paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Practice Based Educators to support in this role.

As this is an apprenticeship position, this role is supported by an accompanying knowledge and skills development programme during which the post holder will gain the relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours for this role. Learning will be deliveredmostlyin the workplace through formal on and off the job training; allowing for the opportunity to practise new skills within a real working environment.

However some travel may be required to attend face to face learning in Leeds with Luminate Education Group. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the individual will have the right knowledge, skills behaviours they need for their chosen role.

Main duties of the job

To undertake therapeutic assessments and deviseplay programs for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.

The successful candidate will work closely with children/young people and their families and strive to make the hospital journey as pleasant as possible. The post holder must be able to providePlayService input and support, specialised and therapeutic, normalising/developmental and sensoryplay and deliver preparation and distraction for our children and young people.

This opportunity includes:

  • Paid employment with holiday entitlement
  • Hands on experiencein a work based environment
  • Six off-the-job training hours per week to complete the apprenticeship learning(although elements of this can be delivered flexibly if needed)
  • Support to gain a nationally recognised accredited qualification

You must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and have the ability to support others. It is essential that you can prioritise and manage your own workload whilst supporting your colleagues and the multi-disciplinary team. Excellent knowledge of child development is essential, as is experience of working with a wide range of ages.You will also be committed to the completion of the level 5 HealthPlaySpecialist Apprenticeship and undertake the necessary study involved.

About us

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children.Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.

We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:

  • Compassion
  • Accountability
  • Respect
  • Excellence

We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.

We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+& Disabled people.

Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.

Details

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

245-ACS4AE-08-25

Job locations

Paediatric Emergency Department, Tameside Hospital

Fountain Street

Ashton-Under-Lyne

OL6 9RW


Job description

Job responsibilities

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focusses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Job description

Job responsibilities

The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focusses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.

The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 childcare qualification

Desirable

  • Current registration with HPSET
  • Experience of MDT working
  • Hospital Play Specialist Foundation Degree

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • knowledge of the play needs of a children & young people within a hospital setting
  • Able to handle sensitive issues
  • Knowledge & experience of safeguarding
  • Good knowledge of risk management
  • Excellent communication skills

Desirable

  • Able to supervise students

Experience and professional development

Essential

  • Experience of working with children & Young People within a hospital setting
  • Experience of providing therapeutic preparatory and distractive play to children & Young People
  • Experience of working with parents and families

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a play specialist team
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Level 3 childcare qualification

Desirable

  • Current registration with HPSET
  • Experience of MDT working
  • Hospital Play Specialist Foundation Degree

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

  • knowledge of the play needs of a children & young people within a hospital setting
  • Able to handle sensitive issues
  • Knowledge & experience of safeguarding
  • Good knowledge of risk management
  • Excellent communication skills

Desirable

  • Able to supervise students

Experience and professional development

Essential

  • Experience of working with children & Young People within a hospital setting
  • Experience of providing therapeutic preparatory and distractive play to children & Young People
  • Experience of working with parents and families

Desirable

  • Experience of working within a play specialist team
  • Evidence of ongoing professional development

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Paediatric Emergency Department, Tameside Hospital

Fountain Street

Ashton-Under-Lyne

OL6 9RW


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Paediatric Emergency Department, Tameside Hospital

Fountain Street

Ashton-Under-Lyne

OL6 9RW


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron

Claire Sharples

claire.sharples@tgh.nhs.uk

01619224242

Details

Date posted

18 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year pro rata per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

245-ACS4AE-08-25

Job locations

Paediatric Emergency Department, Tameside Hospital

Fountain Street

Ashton-Under-Lyne

OL6 9RW


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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