Job summary
Community Play Specialist is a person with expert knowledge and experience of play with well children, those with complex health needs and those who are unwell. The Community Play Specialist will work within the Children's Community Complex Nursing Service.
Main duties of the job
- Assess the needs and views of the children accessing our services to provide developmental and therapeutic play activities within Swanbourne Gardens and the children's own homes.
- With the co-operation of colleagues create an environment where play occurs naturally both in and out of the play specialist's presence.
- Form supportive relationships with the families encouraging them to get involved with their child's play programme to assist in their child's development and recovery from illness.
- Provide emotional support to the children and their families, making time to listen to any anxieties they may have. Document and communicate relevant observations and information to colleagues and professionals where appropriate.
- Devise individual play programmes fulfilling all developmental, psychological and social needs. Document and communicate this information to colleagues and other relevant disciplines.
- Provide a daily planner to assist in the organisation of your day enabling the children and staff team to know your routine and plans.
- Provide support to hospital based play staff, when one of our existing case load are admitted through sharing play plans and relevant documentation.
- To be fully aware of the Trusts policies and guidelines with particular attention to fire, safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, health & safety, infection control, HIV, moving and handling and lone working.
- Maintain clear reports and records in appropriate files and documentation.
About us
We hold a unique position in the Stockport community as the provider of healthcare and we are one of its largest employers.
Our mission is to make a difference every day. Our values are that we care, we respect, and we listen
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 you.
We recognise that flexible working is important. We take requests for flexible working seriously, consider any request we receive and try to work with you, so we can explore if your request may fit with the needs of the service.
The salary for the role is only one part of the excellent package of benefits we offer to you:
- Between 27-33 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- NHS pension scheme membership
- Salary sacrifice schemes for lease cars, home electronics and more, to make your salary go further
- NHS Staff discounts
- Cycle to work scheme
- Salary finance - for loans, savings, budget planning and tips on managing debt
- Stockport Credit Union- for local financial advice 3033
Job description
Job responsibilities
They will use theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play intervention in Swanbourne Gardens and the community.
The Community Play Specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques for all ages and abilities of children within the service, to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and minimise trauma during invasive procedures. The appointed person is expected to promote a positive environment and a positive experience for the children and their families.
The Community Play Specialist will provide interesting and stimulating play programmes for the children and young people. The appointed person will be expected to highlight the importance of play in aiding development and assisting recovery from illness, to all colleagues and students.
To act as communication link between the multi-disciplinary team, the child and their families as needed.
Ensure effective communication to colleagues sharing knowledge of developmental therapeutic and specialised play in order to provide appropriate play resources and interaction.
Liaise with the Trust Charity and facilitate charitable work to raise funds for play provision.
Select and maintain appropriate play equipment and resources for all ages and abilities including developmental materials, therapeutic/sensory items, distraction and participation tools. Keep an expenditure record to show how resources are being utilised.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
Job description
Job responsibilities
They will use theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play intervention in Swanbourne Gardens and the community.
The Community Play Specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques for all ages and abilities of children within the service, to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and minimise trauma during invasive procedures. The appointed person is expected to promote a positive environment and a positive experience for the children and their families.
The Community Play Specialist will provide interesting and stimulating play programmes for the children and young people. The appointed person will be expected to highlight the importance of play in aiding development and assisting recovery from illness, to all colleagues and students.
To act as communication link between the multi-disciplinary team, the child and their families as needed.
Ensure effective communication to colleagues sharing knowledge of developmental therapeutic and specialised play in order to provide appropriate play resources and interaction.
Liaise with the Trust Charity and facilitate charitable work to raise funds for play provision.
Select and maintain appropriate play equipment and resources for all ages and abilities including developmental materials, therapeutic/sensory items, distraction and participation tools. Keep an expenditure record to show how resources are being utilised.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and promote safeguarding by implementing the Trusts policies and procedures, acting promptly on concerns, communicating effectively and sharing information appropriately.
If successful this vacancy will require an enhanced DBS check at a cost of £41.90. This cost will be deducted from your first Trust salary
In addition to this it will be a condition of your employment that you will join the DBS update service and pay the annual subscription fee of £13.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a good command of the English Language both written and verbal
- Must have Professional UK registration e.g. FdA Healthcare Play Specialism, Edexcel Cert or Btec in Hospital Play specialism, or HPSC / HPSEB
Desirable
- Additional Post graduate learning in specialist field
Knowledge
Essential
- To demonstrate the required behaviour in keeping with the Trust values
- Computer Literacy
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) clearly recorded for professional profile
- Working within health care setting
- Experience Supervising Others
Skills and Ability
Essential
- Highly self-motivated - possesses high work standards, helps others to set attainable goals: wants to improve, to be more effective and efficient measures progress against targets
- Effective time management and organisational skills
- Resource management
- Working in a team and own/use own initaitve
- Motivated and shows enthusiasm
- Demonstrates care and compassion
Desirable
- Working with a community setting
- Working with Children with complex health needs
Other
Essential
- Flexible and able to work shifts
- Driving license and access to a vehicle
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Able to demonstrate a good command of the English Language both written and verbal
- Must have Professional UK registration e.g. FdA Healthcare Play Specialism, Edexcel Cert or Btec in Hospital Play specialism, or HPSC / HPSEB
Desirable
- Additional Post graduate learning in specialist field
Knowledge
Essential
- To demonstrate the required behaviour in keeping with the Trust values
- Computer Literacy
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of Continued Professional Development (CPD) clearly recorded for professional profile
- Working within health care setting
- Experience Supervising Others
Skills and Ability
Essential
- Highly self-motivated - possesses high work standards, helps others to set attainable goals: wants to improve, to be more effective and efficient measures progress against targets
- Effective time management and organisational skills
- Resource management
- Working in a team and own/use own initaitve
- Motivated and shows enthusiasm
- Demonstrates care and compassion
Desirable
- Working with a community setting
- Working with Children with complex health needs
Other
Essential
- Flexible and able to work shifts
- Driving license and access to a vehicle
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).
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.
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).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
