Hywel Dda University Health Board

Health Play Assistant

The closing date is 21 September 2025

Job summary

The Women and Children Directorate of Hywel Dda University Health Board has an exciting opportunity for a part time Health Play Assistant to join our Therapeutic Play team.

We provide an excellent service to meet the needs of children and families incorporating all aspects of family centred care. We are committed to the provision of high quality care using evidence based practice.

Hywel Dda University Health Board is committed to supporting training and ongoing professional development.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will need to be resourceful, innovative and committed to deliver a high standard of therapeutic play service for children, young people and their families in Acute /Community Paediatric settings across the Health Board.

The successful candidate will work closely within the Play service team, support the health care professionals across all area of the hospital, out patients and community children nursing service where children and young people are cared for.

This is a part-time position working weekdays, weekends and inclusive of bank holidays on a rostered basis. This post is based on Cilgerran Ward with a requirement to work across the play service covering both Glangwili and Withybush childrens' service areas and to have a flexible approach to the needs of the service.

You will be involved in the organising and supervising play activities, preparing and distracting children for treatments and procedures.

You will also need to demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills and aptitude to work as part of a team as well as alone.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

  • Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest

  • Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire

  • Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings

  • 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers

  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,313 to £26,999 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

100-ACS132-0925

Job locations

Cilgerran Ward, Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Job description

Job responsibilities

A 7-day cover for the service is required. Hours will be rota'd over a four-week period. The 23 hour post will consist of 2 shifts weekly of 11.5 hours between 7.00am - 19.30pm. Requests for shift allocation are processed using an app allocate loop. Shift allocation can be discussed at interview.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 02/10/2025

Job description

Job responsibilities

A 7-day cover for the service is required. Hours will be rota'd over a four-week period. The 23 hour post will consist of 2 shifts weekly of 11.5 hours between 7.00am - 19.30pm. Requests for shift allocation are processed using an app allocate loop. Shift allocation can be discussed at interview.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 02/10/2025

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • NNEB or NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent child care qualification

Desirable

  • Willing to undertake the Foundation Degree in Health Play Specialism course

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working with children/young people in either a play, education or hospital setting

Desirable

  • Documented evidence of continuing professional development
  • Experience of working as a team member

Language Skills

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)
Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential

  • NNEB or NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent child care qualification

Desirable

  • Willing to undertake the Foundation Degree in Health Play Specialism course

Experience

Essential

  • Previous experience of working with children/young people in either a play, education or hospital setting

Desirable

  • Documented evidence of continuing professional development
  • Experience of working as a team member

Language Skills

Desirable

  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Cilgerran Ward, Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Hywel Dda University Health Board

Address

Cilgerran Ward, Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Employer's website

https://hduhb.nhs.wales/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Head of Therapeutic Play Service

Karen Thomas

karen.e.thomas@wales.nhs.uk

07977371518

Details

Date posted

15 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£25,313 to £26,999 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

100-ACS132-0925

Job locations

Cilgerran Ward, Glangwili General Hospital

Dolgwili Road

Carmarthen

SA31 2AF


Supporting documents

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