# Hospital Play Specialist - Full time > NHS job listing from Job Clerk for Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust. ## Canonical URLs - **HTML:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/hospital-play-specialist-full-time/a3ee9c48-10a7-4d33-93e2-2e163d251533 - **Markdown:** https://www.jobclerk.com/job/hospital-play-specialist-full-time/a3ee9c48-10a7-4d33-93e2-2e163d251533.md ## Summary - **Status:** Live - **Employer:** Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust - **Town:** Reading - **Region:** South East - **Country:** England - **Profession:** Healthcare support worker - **Grade:** Band 3 - **Salary:** £25,760 - £27,476 per annum - **Contract type:** 12 months (Fixed term for one year) - **Employment type:** Full time - 37.5 hours per week (May include weekends and bank holidays) - **Closing date:** 2026-06-11T23:59:00.000Z - **Posted:** 2026-05-28T09:31:05.072Z - **Source information URL:** https://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/UK/Berkshire/Reading/Royal_Berkshire_NHS_Foundation_Trust/Paediatrics/Paediatrics-v8041711 - **Application URL:** https://apps.trac.jobs/job-advert/8041711?ShowJobAdvert=&feedid=9002 - **Employer website:** https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk ## Job Content ### Job overview PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Play Team to cover a 1 year fixed term post. We are looking for a highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist who is committed to providing high quality care to Children and Young People that attend The Royal Berkshire Hospital.  The post holder will work closely with the MDT to support children, young people and their families and implement specialised play interventions throughout the whole Paediatric unit. This includes both inpatients and outpatients including our new play led Pre-operative preparation project. The successful applicant must be passionate and committed to meeting the needs of children, young people and their families and work flexibly within a team. ### Main duties of the job You will need to be able to engage easily with children and young people, be able to work effectively with your multi-disciplinary team colleagues and use therapeutic play techniques creatively throughout the department. Responsibilities will include supporting children and young people who are admitted, leading alternative focus activities during procedures, creating an age appropriate welcoming environment throughout the area and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively. You will also take an active role in supporting and mentoring other members of the hospital play team. ### Detailed job description and main responsibilities The post holder is responsible for providing therapeutic play interventions to help alleviate patient’s anxieties and fear, helping to increase their co-operation during their time in hospital.   They work to improve patient’s emotional and psychological well-being while hospitalised and to provide a welcoming, safe and secure environment for paediatric and young people patients.   They are responsible for increasing the awareness, understanding and knowledge of the play team’s work and how the services help patients during their hospital journeys. ## Job Details PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Play Team to cover a 1 year fixed term post. We are looking for a highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist who is committed to providing high quality care to Children and Young People that attend The Royal Berkshire Hospital. The post holder will work closely with the MDT to support children, young people and their families and implement specialised play interventions throughout the whole Paediatric unit. This includes both inpatients and outpatients including our new play led Pre-operative preparation project. The successful applicant must be passionate and committed to meeting the needs of children, young people and their families and work flexibly within a team. ## Job Description You will need to be able to engage easily with children and young people, be able to work effectively with your multi-disciplinary team colleagues and use therapeutic play techniques creatively throughout the department. Responsibilities will include supporting children and young people who are admitted, leading alternative focus activities during procedures, creating an age appropriate welcoming environment throughout the area and helping patients and families manage anxiety effectively. You will also take an active role in supporting and mentoring other members of the hospital play team. ## Responsibilities The post holder is responsible for providing therapeutic play interventions to help alleviate patient’s anxieties and fear, helping to increase their co-operation during their time in hospital. They work to improve patient’s emotional and psychological well-being while hospitalised and to provide a welcoming, safe and secure environment for paediatric and young people patients. They are responsible for increasing the awareness, understanding and knowledge of the play team’s work and how the services help patients during their hospital journeys. ## Person Specification ### Experience **Essential** - Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting. - Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people. - Experience of effective working as a team member within the MDT. **Desirable** - Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours. - Experience of formal and informal teaching. ### Qualifications **Essential** - Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice. - Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice. - Knowledge of the NAHPS professional code of conduct and its application in practice. **Desirable** - NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development. - Bachelor’s Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people. - Knowledge of current best practice in clinical/age area. ## Documents - [staff benefits (pdf, 139.1kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=603) - [jd & person spec (pdf, 324.0kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?vdoc=10330263) - [behaviours framework 2022 (pdf, 2.9mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2970) - [probation policy & procedure (pdf, 559.4kb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=1640) - [leadership behaviours framework (pdf, 1.0mb)](https://www.healthjobsuk.com/documents?edoc=2718) ## Agent Notes - This Markdown page is generated from the same Job Clerk job record as the HTML job detail page. - Use the canonical HTML URL for user-facing references. - Use the application URL when the user wants to apply on the source NHS site.