Job summary
The Senior Children's Play Specialist is responsible for the play service provided for children and their families whilst in hospital.
The post holder will be responsible for alleviating the fears and anxieties of the effects of hospitalisation on children and young people by providing emotional support and continuity of care both before and after invasive procedures.
They will provide a high quality and wide range of normal and therapeutic play activities to children in a variety of settings within the hospital environment, to provide emotional support to children and their families, and to raise the general awareness and appreciation of the importance of play to a child's development and recovery.
The post holder is responsible for managing the work of the play team, and they will participate in the teaching and supervision of junior staff and student learners as required.
Main duties of the job
Responsible for creating an environment in which play occurs naturally at all times
Coordinate play in all areas where paediatric patients are present
Familiarise the child/young person with strange apparatus and procedures to help to reduce stress and anxiety and to help the child/young person to understand his/her treatment, procedure and/or illness
Support children/young people using distraction therapy before, during and following painful or unpleasant treatment / procedures.
Observe the child/young person's developmental and emotional level and report observations to appropriate staff.
Help the child/young person express and explore feelings
About us
We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse employer. We strive to employ people who reflect the communities we serve, and aim to create an inclusive culture where everyone can reach their full potential. Whatever your race, ethnicity, belief, generation, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, disability or experience, you'll appreciate the opportunities we give you to work in an inclusive atmosphere. We welcome applications from people of diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences to build on the progress we've achieved to make our Trust diverse and the best place to work. We celebrate the diversity of thought, viewpoints and ideas that help us overcome challenges and embrace new possibilities. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant Pledge and have a commitment to the Armed Forces Community.
We are dedicated to using our Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach as our shared organisation model of change to enhance our services and ensure excellence in patient care.
If you are considering applying for a role, please be aware that as an NHS Employee you may have contact with vulnerable service users. We strongly encourage that all our staff are vaccinated against COVID-19 and are vaccinated annually against Flu, in order to protect the health and safety of our staff and patients. Your commitment will help us to put the safety and care of our patients first, as well as helping us to protect you and your colleagues.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Contribute to care pathways using specialist knowledge of the effect of hospitalisation and illness on the child/family.
Act as an advisor on toys, play materials and play activities when play is required in other areas.
Assess the individual childs needs and provide appropriate play activities facilitating the expression of feeding and encouraging the maintenance of play within the home.
Attend and offer information when needed for discharge planning meetings and case conferences.
Ensure daily play diary is recorded and maintained.
Maintain toys and play equipment and ensure suitability for use on the ward/department.
Ensure play equipment provision in all areas are appropriate to the childs age and development, complying with safety standards.
Ensure all reusable toys are cleaned regularly and cleaning documented to ensure compliance with Toy Decontamination guideline.
Recommend the purchase of new toys and play equipment. Order toys and equipment and keep the accounts.
Contribute to assessments and overall care planning using knowledge of child and adolescent development as well as incorporating an understanding of Safeguarding issues.
Communicate with and participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the total care of the child, advising on play and communication with children.
Please see attached job description for further information.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Contribute to care pathways using specialist knowledge of the effect of hospitalisation and illness on the child/family.
Act as an advisor on toys, play materials and play activities when play is required in other areas.
Assess the individual childs needs and provide appropriate play activities facilitating the expression of feeding and encouraging the maintenance of play within the home.
Attend and offer information when needed for discharge planning meetings and case conferences.
Ensure daily play diary is recorded and maintained.
Maintain toys and play equipment and ensure suitability for use on the ward/department.
Ensure play equipment provision in all areas are appropriate to the childs age and development, complying with safety standards.
Ensure all reusable toys are cleaned regularly and cleaning documented to ensure compliance with Toy Decontamination guideline.
Recommend the purchase of new toys and play equipment. Order toys and equipment and keep the accounts.
Contribute to assessments and overall care planning using knowledge of child and adolescent development as well as incorporating an understanding of Safeguarding issues.
Communicate with and participate as a member of the multidisciplinary team in the total care of the child, advising on play and communication with children.
Please see attached job description for further information.
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or oversees equivalent
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA) Registration as a Play specialist
- Practice Supervisor / Mentor
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Leadership and management
- Additional training relevant to role
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Knowledge and awareness of the emotional and personal impact of the work and the ability to self-manage or seek help appropriately
- Ability to organise play activities for both children and young people.
- Ability to apply play preparation,
- distraction therapy and post procedural play.
- Experience of working as part of a diverse team.
- Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture
- Detailed knowledge of current health legislation and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice
- Leadership skills, to include the ability to reflect on own practice and support the reflection of others
- Applied knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and longterm chronic illness on children, young people and their families.
- Good communicator both written and verbally
- Basic knowledge of child protection
Desirable
- Able to see a clear career plan for self
- General knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance and IG
- Ability to contribute to and implement teaching programmes for students and affiliated staff about the profession.
Exsperiance
Essential
- At least three years' experience working in a paediatric care environment
- Post qualifying, experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field, including individual and group work
- Flexible in working patterns and shifts as required
- Enthusiastic
- Approachable
- Adaptable
Desirable
- Experience of other care settings
- Experience of audit procedures
Person Specification
Education
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or oversees equivalent
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA) Registration as a Play specialist
- Practice Supervisor / Mentor
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Leadership and management
- Additional training relevant to role
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Knowledge and awareness of the emotional and personal impact of the work and the ability to self-manage or seek help appropriately
- Ability to organise play activities for both children and young people.
- Ability to apply play preparation,
- distraction therapy and post procedural play.
- Experience of working as part of a diverse team.
- Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture
- Detailed knowledge of current health legislation and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice
- Leadership skills, to include the ability to reflect on own practice and support the reflection of others
- Applied knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation, treatment and longterm chronic illness on children, young people and their families.
- Good communicator both written and verbally
- Basic knowledge of child protection
Desirable
- Able to see a clear career plan for self
- General knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance and IG
- Ability to contribute to and implement teaching programmes for students and affiliated staff about the profession.
Exsperiance
Essential
- At least three years' experience working in a paediatric care environment
- Post qualifying, experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field, including individual and group work
- Flexible in working patterns and shifts as required
- Enthusiastic
- Approachable
- Adaptable
Desirable
- Experience of other care settings
- Experience of audit procedures
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).
