Job requirements
Essential
18 listedRequirements the employer expects applicants to meet.
- Experience
Working within hospital setting
- Experience
Experience of supervising students
- Experience
Experience of audit of play/ distraction
- Qualifications
Health Play Specialist foundation degree / Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People
- Qualifications
Registered with HPSET
- Further Training
Safeguarding children awareness
- Further Training
Commitment to support the Trust’s Values
- Knowledge Requirements
Knowledge of children’s issues/ children with special needs
- Knowledge Requirements
Ability to communicate with children and adolescents
- Knowledge Requirements
Self-motivated
- Knowledge Requirements
Ability to work as part of a multi disciplinary team
- Knowledge Requirements
Ability to work with families
- Knowledge Requirements
Ability to plan/ design age appropriate play/developmental activities for children and adolescents
- Knowledge Requirements
Ability to communicate well
- Knowledge Requirements
Ability to conduct tasks promptly and efficiently
- Knowledge Requirements
Understanding of health and safety issues
- Contractual Requirements
To work within a 7-day rota / Commitment to support the Trust’s Values
- Contractual Requirements
To adhere to uniform policy
Desirable
3 listedAdditional qualities the employer would prefer.
- Experience
Awareness of children’s health related issues such as CAMHS, behavioural and developmental milestones
- Qualifications
Experience of working in the hospital setting
- Knowledge Requirements
Experience of working with adolescents and children with special needs including those with challenging behaviour
Job overview
Make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people through the power of play.
Sherwood Forest Hospitals are seeking a caring, enthusiastic, and creative Health Play Specialist to join our dedicated team and help make healthcare experiences more positive, reassuring, and child-centred.
As a Health Play Specialist, you will use therapeutic play, creative activities, and age-appropriate interventions to help children and young people understand and cope with illness, medical procedures, treatment, and hospital stays. You will play a vital role in reducing anxiety, promoting emotional wellbeing, supporting development, and helping children feel safe, confident, and involved in their healthcare journey.
Working closely with children, families, and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will provide individualised support that recognises each child's unique needs, abilities, and circumstances. You will use your communication skills, compassion, and creativity to build trusting relationships, prepare children for unfamiliar experiences, and help them manage the challenges associated with healthcare.
This role offers a rewarding opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, ensuring children and young people receive compassionate, high-quality care that places their wellbeing and individual needs at the heart of everything you do.
Main duties of the job
To understand the role in more detail, please refer to the attached job description and person specification.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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 Specialist with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Sutton-in-Ashfield, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Play specialist role. The advertised salary is £28,392 - £31,157 per annum pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 03 Nov 2026.
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