Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen at UCLH for a Play & Activity Worker, to join a highly respected Play and Youth Services Team.
We are looking for someone who is committed to the delivery of compassionate high-quality care and has the skills to provide holistic play services for all children and young people along with their families across the trust. Enabling them to feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment.
The post holder needs to be able to work effectively alongside other Play and Activity Workers, Health Play Specialists and Youth Support Co-ordinators who will support you in your role, and the leadership team who will actively support your professional development.
Main duties of the job
This post is an exciting and fantastic opportunity for you to expand your knowledge, skills and experience as a professional working with children and young people within a leading, award-winning play and youth team who support children and young people from 0 to 25 years. A team which is led by a supportive leadership team, striving to embed high quality specialised play practices on a national level. This post will help shape the delivery of services to children and young people within health and is an opportunity to expand your knowledge, skills and experience of working within our services.
You will need to have relevant experience of working with children and young people, ideally in a healthcare or social setting and be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. You will need to be able to engage with children and young people, providing creative activities as well as social and emotional support. You will need to be able to work flexibly and adapt to support a variety of ages and specialities.
This post holder will be providing play and recreation interventions in both inpatient and outpatient departments, helping to alleviate patient's anxieties and fear, as well as normalising their time in hospital.
The post holder will need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service between 8-6 including some evening and weekend working.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
Come and be a part of the best NHS trust in England to work for, according to our staff*
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! : University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
*In the most recent NHS staff survey UCLH had the highest percentage of staff who said they would recommend us as a place to work, out of all general acute or acute/community NHS trusts in England for the second year in a row.
UCLH top trust to work at in England for the second year running! University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Once again, UCLH has received the highest score of all general acute and acute/community NHS trusts in England for staff that would recommend us as a place to work.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA)
- Basic knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
Desirable
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Knowledge of NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with children/young people in a play, education or hospital setting.
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Basic competency using Word and Excel.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
Desirable
- Membership of NAHPS Professional Body.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA)
- Basic knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
Desirable
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Knowledge of NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with children/young people in a play, education or hospital setting.
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Basic competency using Word and Excel.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
Desirable
- Membership of NAHPS Professional Body.
- Documented evidence of Continuing 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.
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.
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).
