Job summary
Working in a busy Regional unit for children with burn injuries can be
both challenging and highly rewarding. We cover a population of over 5.5
million. This specialised setting presents unique demands, including managing
acute burn care, complex emotional support, and long-term rehabilitation for
young patients. The environment can be fast-paced due to the urgency of burn
treatments and the need for multidisciplinary care. Children often face
physical pain, trauma, and psychological distress, which requires not only
medical expertise but also compassion and a strong therapeutic approach.
The Health Play Leaders role is pivotal in helping to provide this care
and the rewards stem from the positive impact you can have on the lives of
these children and their families. The resilience and progress seen in young
patients, as they heal physically and emotionally, are deeply fulfilling. The
role allows professionals to witness life-changing recoveries and play a part
in a child's journey back to normalcy.
An excellent team dynamic is crucial in this setting. Effective teamwork
fosters an environment of shared knowledge, emotional support, and innovation
in treatment. The high level of coordination and mutual respect within the team
helps to ensure that every aspect of the child's care is addressed, making the
experience both professionally and personally satisfying for those involved.
Main duties of the job
In our Regional Children's Burns Unit, a Play Leader plays a vital role within our team to support the emotional, psychological, and developmental needs of children undergoing treatment for burn injuries. Their main duties involve using play and therapeutic activities to help children cope with the stress, pain, and trauma associated with their condition, which can help children express their emotions, fears, and anxieties related to their injuries and treatment. Play helps children process difficult experiences and offers a sense of normalcy. The use of distraction techniques during medical procedures, such as using toys, games, and interactive activities can help to divert the child's attention away from pain or discomfort.
Play leaders assist with physical therapy and supporting transitions by integrating play into rehabilitation exercises. This makes it more enjoyable and engaging for the child, and encourages children to participate in activities that help them regain motor skills and build strength, supporting their recovery and helping them feel more confident in their physical abilities, and prepare for home.
The play leader will help our psychologist to support siblings and families, providing resources or offering play opportunities that involve the family.
The play leader will document progress or any observations that could be useful for the child's ongoing care and recovery process.
About us
We are an acute trust caring for over half a million people in Wakefield
and Kirklees. Our 10,000 staff work in patients homes, the community, and our
three hospitals in Pontefract, Dewsbury, and Pinderfields (Wakefield). We
prioritise our people and values so we can deliver the best possible care to
patients. Our team is friendly, passionate, and innovative, always seeking
better ways to work.
The Children's Regional Burns Unit covers a population of approximately
5.5 million and covers West/East/North Yorkshire, Humberside and North
Lincolnshire. We are a small supportive team and work well with our colleagues
in delivering outstanding care. Our unit has 5 inpatient beds and a busy
outpatient department, to ensure continuity of care for the child and family.
We offer a dynamic and supportive educational package and regular teaching
sessions offered by our Nurse Specialist.
We support work-life balance and foster a diverse, inclusive environment
where everyone belongs. Our staff networks offer safe spaces to share ideas and
concerns so we can increase awareness and appreciation of equality, diversity,
and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and especially
encourage members of the LGBTQ+ community, ethnic minority groups, and people
with disabilities or neurodivergence to apply, as they are currently
underrepresented in the Trust.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be required to provide stimulating play and
distraction to support children who have sustained a burns injury on the Children's
Regional Burns Unit. This role involves using play therapy, distraction
techniques, and other activities to help reduce anxiety, pain perception, and
distress during treatments and recovery. The play leader will work
collaboratively with nursing teams, including doctors, clinical support
workers, play specialist, occupational therapy, and psychologists, to deliver
holistic care for patients facing challenging and painful procedures in a burns
care setting. To take an active role in attending and referring to Family Burns
Club which provides support to children, their family members and young adults
following a burn injury.
Play Therapy & Distraction:
Design, implement, and facilitate individual and group play therapy
sessions tailored to meet the needs of burns patients, especially children.
Use age-appropriate toys, games, creative activities, and relaxation
techniques to distract patients during medical treatments and procedures.
Offer emotional support through play, helping patients express feelings
of fear, anxiety, and pain in a safe, therapeutic environment.
Pain Management Support:
Work with medical staff to identify when distraction techniques should
be applied and assist in managing pain levels and reducing anxiety.
Provide evidence-based distraction interventions, such as guided
imagery, music therapy, virtual reality, or interactive storytelling, during
procedures like dressing changes or wound care.
This role is essential to improving the quality of care for burns
patients, helping them cope with their treatment journey through therapeutic
interventions focused on reducing stress, pain, and anxiety.
Emotional Support:
Build trust and rapport with patients, creating a safe space for them to
engage in therapeutic play.
Support families and caregivers by providing information, coping
strategies, and guidance on how to support the patients emotional well-being.
Collaboration and Communication:
Collaborate closely with the burns care team to develop and update
individual care plans for patients.
Regularly communicate with nursing staff, physicians, and psychologists
about the patients progress, needs, and emotional state.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will be required to provide stimulating play and
distraction to support children who have sustained a burns injury on the Children's
Regional Burns Unit. This role involves using play therapy, distraction
techniques, and other activities to help reduce anxiety, pain perception, and
distress during treatments and recovery. The play leader will work
collaboratively with nursing teams, including doctors, clinical support
workers, play specialist, occupational therapy, and psychologists, to deliver
holistic care for patients facing challenging and painful procedures in a burns
care setting. To take an active role in attending and referring to Family Burns
Club which provides support to children, their family members and young adults
following a burn injury.
Play Therapy & Distraction:
Design, implement, and facilitate individual and group play therapy
sessions tailored to meet the needs of burns patients, especially children.
Use age-appropriate toys, games, creative activities, and relaxation
techniques to distract patients during medical treatments and procedures.
Offer emotional support through play, helping patients express feelings
of fear, anxiety, and pain in a safe, therapeutic environment.
Pain Management Support:
Work with medical staff to identify when distraction techniques should
be applied and assist in managing pain levels and reducing anxiety.
Provide evidence-based distraction interventions, such as guided
imagery, music therapy, virtual reality, or interactive storytelling, during
procedures like dressing changes or wound care.
This role is essential to improving the quality of care for burns
patients, helping them cope with their treatment journey through therapeutic
interventions focused on reducing stress, pain, and anxiety.
Emotional Support:
Build trust and rapport with patients, creating a safe space for them to
engage in therapeutic play.
Support families and caregivers by providing information, coping
strategies, and guidance on how to support the patients emotional well-being.
Collaboration and Communication:
Collaborate closely with the burns care team to develop and update
individual care plans for patients.
Regularly communicate with nursing staff, physicians, and psychologists
about the patients progress, needs, and emotional state.
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Team player Willingness to gain and develop professional knowledge Good attendance record To be enthusiastic, creative, caring and friendly Understand how to provide compassionate care to families in cases of severe trauma
Qualifications
Essential
- NNEB/ National Diploma in Nursery Nursing Childcare level 3 Certificate and Diploma, or equivalent which includes a child development module.
Desirable
- Hospital Play Specialist B-Tec Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism Early Years Status Paediatric First Aid
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying work experience with children of all ages Recent experience working with groups of children Experience of supporting staff
Desirable
- Experience of working/volunteering in a health care setting Experience of working with children with complex health needs
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with children/young people and their families, respecting their cultural and developmental dimensions Creativity in providing children's play activities Can communicate with children/young people and their families Ability to present and document factual information Is able to adapt play activities to meet children's needs
Desirable
- IT skills Ability to manage difficult/distressing situations Awareness of Family Burns Club
Other attributes
Essential
- Physical ability to meet the job Advocacy ensuring the child's voice is heard during treatment planning
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Knowledge of play and distraction therapies To have an awareness of psychological effects of hospitalisation on the child and their family Awareness of trauma-related stress, low mood and body image concerns in children and young adults Knowledge of the play role within pain management
Desirable
- Knowledge of child safeguarding awareness Awareness of the hospital play specialist educational trust standards Awareness of the Trust core values and behaviours
Person Specification
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Team player Willingness to gain and develop professional knowledge Good attendance record To be enthusiastic, creative, caring and friendly Understand how to provide compassionate care to families in cases of severe trauma
Qualifications
Essential
- NNEB/ National Diploma in Nursery Nursing Childcare level 3 Certificate and Diploma, or equivalent which includes a child development module.
Desirable
- Hospital Play Specialist B-Tec Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism Early Years Status Paediatric First Aid
Experience
Essential
- Post qualifying work experience with children of all ages Recent experience working with groups of children Experience of supporting staff
Desirable
- Experience of working/volunteering in a health care setting Experience of working with children with complex health needs
Skills and abilities
Essential
- Ability to communicate in a variety of settings with children/young people and their families, respecting their cultural and developmental dimensions Creativity in providing children's play activities Can communicate with children/young people and their families Ability to present and document factual information Is able to adapt play activities to meet children's needs
Desirable
- IT skills Ability to manage difficult/distressing situations Awareness of Family Burns Club
Other attributes
Essential
- Physical ability to meet the job Advocacy ensuring the child's voice is heard during treatment planning
Knowledge and Awareness
Essential
- Knowledge of play and distraction therapies To have an awareness of psychological effects of hospitalisation on the child and their family Awareness of trauma-related stress, low mood and body image concerns in children and young adults Knowledge of the play role within pain management
Desirable
- Knowledge of child safeguarding awareness Awareness of the hospital play specialist educational trust standards Awareness of the Trust core values and behaviours
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).
