Hospital Play Worker

Job summary

An exciting opportunity is available for a Hospital Play Worker working within the Paediatric team based at Derby Children's Hospital.

The successful candidate should have a NVQ,CACHE, NNED(LEVEL3) or a Diploma in Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood studies with an understanding of working with children, young people and their families.

The position of Hospital Play Worker is a permanent full time position hours covering a seven day period including all bank holidays.

The role will be working with children and young people who are admitted to hospital for planned and emergency admissions.

We are looking for a dynamic individual with compassion and an inspiring attitude to support patients and their families through their hospital journey.

Creating a child and young person focused environment you will be responsible for encouraging and organising age related therapeutic and normalising play and for the use of distraction.

Play and recreational activities are important to support the healthcare experience, it is inclusive to all and by making it enjoyable this can reduce anxiety and risk of psychological trauma.

Strongly suggest that if you are interested in this position that you take the opportunity to have a look around before applying.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Play specialist team to provide play and recreational needs of individual children of any age in hospital by providing a safe environment and appropriate materials. Promoting normal development of children by using play as a development aid.

• To provide play and activities for patients 0-17 in a ward environment
• Under the supervision of the Hospital Play Specialist work with set Play Programmes of care.
• Plan daily activities by the bedside/play area/department
• Promoting normal development for children and young people
• Support the needs of the patient and their families under stress and in a crisis
• Celebrate all year-round calendar events
• Maintain a safe environment, use of appropriate materials, work in association with guidelines for Infection Control and Health and Safety
• To respect the individual, values, cultural and diversity, contribute to ensuring the provision of the service is sensitive to these needs
• Work with the Multi-disciplinary team to enhance the patient journey. Understands the importance of teamwork.
• Demonstrate good communication both verbal and written. This includes patients the families along with the nursing team

Closing date of applications: 6 April 2026

Interview date: 20 April 2026

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

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

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Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Derby Hospital

Uttoxeter Road

Derby

DE22 3NE

Employer's website

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

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