Child Health Play Specialist

Job overview

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

We’re looking for a passionate, creative and highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist to join our dedicated team at UHS. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families during their hospital journey.

In this role, you’ll be at the centre of creating positive, meaningful experiences for children across the entire children’s hospital. Working closely with our multidisciplinary team, you’ll use specialised play techniques to support children through procedures, reduce anxiety, and help them feel safe, understood and empowered.

You’ll bring warmth, imagination and confidence to every interaction — whether you’re leading engaging distraction activities during treatments, transforming clinical spaces into welcoming child‑friendly environments, or supporting families as they navigate challenging moments. Your ability to connect with children and young people of all ages will be key to helping them feel at ease and in control.

As a valued member of our team, you’ll also play an active role in mentoring and supporting colleagues, helping to shape a vibrant, collaborative and child‑centred play service.

If you’re enthusiastic, flexible, and committed to delivering exceptional care through therapeutic play, we’d love to hear from you. This is your chance to bring joy, comfort and creativity to children when they need it most — and to be part of a team that truly makes a difference.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Responsibilities: To manage and maintain a child focused environment where play occurs naturally.  To use theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions in hospital and in the community. To promote an awareness of the emotional needs of children in hospital and the importance of play, within the multi-disciplinary team. To plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.

Experience and skills needed: Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play. Registered with the Society of health Play Specialist (SoHPS) previously Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust (HPSET) and National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS). Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting.