Job overview
Health Play Specialist
Based on the Chelsea site although working across all WLCH sites
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Health Play Specialist to join the Play Team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital. The successful candidate will be working alongside a team of Play Support workers, Health Play Specialists, Senior Health Play Specialist and a Youth worker, as well as part of the Multi-Disciplinary team. This role is based at Chelsea and Westminster, but there is cross cover to all of our WLCH sites
The Play and Youth Service works closely with the Physiotherapists and provide joint MDT care within our wards.
The role requires you to have excellent verbal and communication skills, and a clear understanding of safeguarding processes and patient confidentiality. The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of child development theories, and how to implement them to support development through play. The successful candidate will hold a Fda in Healthcare Play Specialism or a recognised health play specialist qualification and will be registered with HPSET.
Main duties of the job
The Health Play Specialist will be required to work both autonomously, and as part of the team, and will be required to organise their working day to fit in with the needs of the patients and families.
Play and therapeutic support is central to a patient’s care pathway, and with this in mind, the successful applicant will need to be able to work creatively to ensure that long-term patients have access to a wide variety of stimulating play activities and support. As well as being able to provide a high level of procedure support to our patients before, during and after hospital procedures.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role will enable the post holder to gain experience in covering a variety of paediatric areas including Children's Outpatients, HDU, Day Surgery and General Paediatric Inpatients.
Please note only applicants who hold a recognised Health Play Specialist qualification will be considered.
Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of working with infants/ children/ young people.
- Experience of working with sick children and children with a physical or learning disability.
- Experience of effective working as a team member.
- Experience of working with parents and extended families.
Trust Values
Essential
- Putting patients first
- Responsive to, and supportive of, patients and staff
- Open, welcoming and honest
- Unfailingly kind, treating everyone with respect, compassion and dignity
- Determined to develop our skills and continuously improve the quality of care
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Commitment to patient/family-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
- Sensitive/empathetic to children and families in hospital.
- Enthusiasm, self-motivation and initiative.
- Maintain professional image.
- Punctual.
- Adaptable and flexible.
- Willing to learn new skills.
skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation on children and their families.
- A full understanding and ability to apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play skills.
- Knowledge of professional code of conduct and its application in practice.
- An awareness of health and safety and risk management.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to communicate with families under stress and in crisis.
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of children/young people.
- Ability to work under pressure and flexibly as part of a team.
- Ability to work confidently in a variety of wards/areas.
- Ability to understand and adhere to professional boundaries of the role, referring on to line manager where necessary.
- Effective strategies for dealing with stressful interpersonal situations
- Able to present information written and orally, in a clear & logical manner
Education and qualifications
Essential
- A recognised Health Play Specialist Qualification or level 4 Diploma in Specialised play for
- Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Health Play Specialist with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London, London, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £34,186 - £37,389 per annum incl. HCAS (pro rata). The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 30 Jun 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 (16 Jun 2026) to decide whether this role fits your current NHS job search. If the employer can close applications early, prepare the application before the stated deadline rather than waiting for the final day.
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