Health Play Specialist

Job overview

Are you passionate about making hospital experiences less frightening for children and young people? We are looking for a compassionate, creative Health Play Specialist to join our Day Surgery team and help shape a truly child‑centred service.

Therapeutic play is recognised nationally as a vital part of children’s healthcare. NHS England’s Play Well guidelines show how play reduces anxiety, supports emotional safety and improves outcomes for children undergoing procedures. In Day Surgery, you will use your specialist skills to prepare children for their operation, reduce fear, and help them feel confident and in control.

You will work closely with families, offering reassurance and guidance at what can be an overwhelming time. You will also collaborate with nurses, anaesthetists and the wider team to ensure every young patient receives thoughtful, age‑appropriate support.

Advocacy such as Sophie’s Legacy has highlighted how powerful Play Specialists are during difficult and painful moments, and how essential consistent play support is for children in hospital. By joining us, you will be part of a Trust that values this work and is committed to expanding access to therapeutic play.

If you want to make a meaningful difference every day — helping children feel safe, supported and heard — we would love you to join us.

Main duties of the job

You will work within the Day Surgery Unit to implement safe, high quality play programmes covering all aspects of hospital play provision which meet patients emotional, social, developmental and creative needs.

You will respond to referrals from the multidisciplinary team to provide support for children and young people through play preparation and play programmes and support patients through procedures using therapeutic play and distraction therapies.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to attached job description and person specification for further information about this opportunity.