Job overview
Where every day you can make a child smile—even on their toughest days.
Are you creative, energetic, and passionate about making a difference? Do you believe glitter is a coping strategy and that playtime is serious business? If so… we want YOU!
Create play experiences that truly connect with each child by tailoring activities to their emotional state and developmental stage. These experiences are shaped through thoughtful observation, warm interactions, and meaningful conversations with the child or young person—and with their parents or carers—throughout their time in our care.
Deliver individualised play sessions both on the ward and in the sensory room, ensuring each session is carefully designed to support the child or young person’s emotional, physical, and developmental needs. These sessions aim to offer comfort, stimulation, and a safe space for self‑expression during their healthcare journey.
Main duties of the job
🧩 About the Role
As a Hospital Play Worker, you’ll be a superhero in plain clothes (cape optional). You’ll support children and young people during their hospital stay by:
- 🎭 Creating fun, imaginative play sessions to help children feel at ease
- 🩺 Using play to help prepare patients for procedures
- 💬 Providing distraction, comfort, and reassurance during difficult moments
- 🤝 Working closely with nurses, doctors, and families to make the hospital feel a little more like home
- 🎨 Transforming even the dullest waiting area into a magical world of creativity
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Therapeutic & Developmental Play
- Provide daily play and art activities in playrooms, or at the bedside.
- Use play to support normal developmental milestones and promote emotional wellbeing.
- Tailor activities based on age, ability, developmental stage, and emotional need.
- Help children regain skills affected by illness or hospitalisation.
Person specification
Knowledge and Experience
Essential
- Experience working with children and young people
- An understanding of safeguarding children
- Understanding of child development and the role of play in healthcare
- Awareness of safeguarding and infection control procedures
Desirable
- Experience of working with children
- Experience with adolescents and children with dysregulated behaviour
- Experience with adolescents and children with additional needs and neurodiversity
- Experience of working with children in a hospital setting
- Evidence of working within a MDT team
Qualifications and Education
Essential
- GCSE Maths and English Grade C and above or equivalent
- Level 3 or equivalent childcare and education/child development/play qualification
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Up to date: Child Protection/ First Aid/ Food Safety/ Inclusion training/ safeguarding
- A clear Enhanced DBS – Child & Adult
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Hospital Play Team Worker with Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Preston, North West, England. It is listed as a Band 3 Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £25,760 - £27,476 Per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 10 Aug 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 (27 Jul 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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