Location
Basildon, England
Salary
£28,392 pa
Profession
Assistant
Grade
Band 4
Deadline
28 Oct 2026
Contract Type
Permanent
Posted Date
14 Oct 2026
Medical Protection — the side of locally employed doctors from £83

Job requirements

Essential

2 listed

Requirements the employer expects applicants to meet.

  • Experience

    Experience of working with babies, children and young people in a childcare, educational, community or healthcare setting.

  • Qualifications

    NVQ Level 3, CACHE Level 3, BTEC Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Childcare, Early Years, Play work, Health and Social Care or a related subject.

Desirable

3 listed

Additional qualities the employer would prefer.

  • Experience

    Experience of working with babies, children and young people with additional needs, including those who may present with behaviours that challenge.

  • Experience

    Experience of planning and delivering developmentally appropriate play and recreational activities.

  • Qualifications

    GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.

Job overview

As part of the Health Play Specialist team, you will use your knowledge and experience of child development to deliver play, recreation and leisure activities tailored to each baby, child and young person's individual needs. You will work as a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary team, supporting babies, children, young people and their families throughout their hospital journey. You will help provide a positive, safe and welcoming environment that promotes positive experiences for babies, children, young people and their families.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide access to developmental play, recreation and leisure activities for babies, children and young people, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion whilst supporting their emotional, social and developmental needs.
  • Use knowledge of child development when selecting appropriate play, recreation and leisure activities for babies, children and young people.
  • Have an understanding of the adaptations required for babies, children and young people with additional needs to fulfil their right to play and recreational activities.
  • Promote and support the development of babies, children and young people.
  • Undertake assessments of babies, children and young people based on observations during play and activity sessions.
  • Deliver stimulating, supportive and developmentally appropriate play through one-to-one and group play sessions.
  • Provide individual play and activity sessions for isolated or long-term patients.
  • Promote the social development of babies, children and young people through group activities.
  • Deliver simple preparation and distraction interventions to support babies, children and young people undergoing procedures, under the supervision of a qualified Health Play Specialist.
  • Provide a safe environment for babies, children and young people to play and relax in by maintaining play areas, restocking resources, and ensuring toys and equipment are clean, safe and in good repair.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Unfortunately, there is no Visa Sponsorship available for this role. Whilst we are able to employ candidates on a graduate Visa, we are unable to offer sponsorship once the graduate visa expires.

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

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Applying for this NHS job

This advert is for Health Play Assistant with Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust in Basildon, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Assistant role. The advertised salary is £28,392 pa. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 28 Oct 2026.

Before you apply, compare the job description with the person specification and mirror the employer's essential criteria in your supporting information. Use the vacancy title, employer, location, salary, contract type, closing date and posted date (14 Oct 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHSjob search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.

For more context, review related Job Clerk pages for the same profession, band or location where they exist, then use the application-support guides to tailor your statement and prepare for interview.