(**) Paediatric Health Play Specialist

Job overview

The Health Play Specialist is a qualified professional with expert knowledge and experience of using play to support babies, children, and young people, both well and unwell. They are a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team and play a vital role in supporting children, young people, and their families throughout their healthcare journey.

The post holder will work as part of the Play Team within the Paediatric Department, while also working independently and using their own initiative, organisation, leadership, and time‑management skills.

Main duties of the job

The Healthcare Play Specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic, and specialised play interventions for babies, children, and young people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. These interventions aim to meet emotional, social, and developmental needs, reduce anxiety, and help alleviate emotional trauma experienced by children, young people, and their families. The role supports positive coping and helps bridge the gap between hospital and home, contributing to a positive patient experience.

The post holder will plan, deliver, and evaluate engaging, age‑appropriate, and stimulating play programmes for babies, children, young people, and their families. They will advocate for the importance and impact of therapeutic play and promote this within the multidisciplinary team, including students and learners.

The Health Play Specialist will work flexibly across all paediatric areas within the acute hospital and may occasionally be required to work in other clinical areas. They will also contribute to Play Service projects, service development, and quality improvement initiatives.

The post holder must be a registered and qualified Health Play Specialist, holding a Foundation Degree in Health Play Specialism (or equivalent) and maintaining professional registration in line with national standards.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Unfortunately, there is no Visa Sponsorship available for this role. Whilst we are able to employ candidates on a graduate Visa, we are unable to offer sponsorship once the graduate visa expires. – for some roles – i.e. roles for band 2 to 4, inclusive.

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.