Play Assistant

Job overview

Play Assistant

• hours per week (Monday - Sunday 7.5 hours a day shifts - 5 shifts a week)

Fixed term for 12 months (Maternity Cover)

Salary: £25,760 - £27,476 per annum

Closing Date: Thursday 23rd July 2026

Interview Date: TBC

**This post may close early due to high numbers of applications, so you are advised to apply promptly. **

All correspondence for this vacancy will be sent by email; please check your account regularly including your Junk and SPAM areas.

A great and friendly place to work, so bring your passion, commitment and expertise and enjoy the opportunities to make a difference every day.

We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community – get in touch to find out more

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**PLEASE NOTE: This role is not eligible for sponsorship**

We are seeking a compassionate, enthusiastic, and motivated Paediatric Play Assistant to join our dynamic team across the Children’s Assessment Unit (CAU) and Children’s Outpatients Department.

This role is vital in supporting infants, children, and young people during their hospital journey by providing therapeutic play, emotional reassurance, and age-appropriate activities. You will work closely with registered nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team to enhance patient experience, reduce anxiety, and promote a child-centred environment.

Main duties of the job

• Provide play and recreational activities tailored to the individual needs, age, and developmental stage of children and young people.
• Support children before, during, and after clinical procedures to help reduce fear and anxiety.
• Assist in creating a welcoming, safe, and stimulating environment within CAU and outpatient settings.
• Work collaboratively with nursing staff to support holistic, family-centred care.
• Prepare and maintain play resources, ensuring they are clean, safe, and appropriate for use.
• Engage with parents and carers, offering reassurance and guidance to support their child’s hospital experience.
• Observe and report any concerns relating to a child’s wellbeing to the clinical team.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To devise play programmes for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs as part of the plan of care.
• To plan and implement individual play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play.
• To use a range of hospital, play therapies, tools and equipment in preparation for hospital procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play under the indirect supervision of the Play Specialist.
• To support all children and especially young people in crisis, those with mental health problems, eating disorders to engage with short term play therapy / distraction therapy whilst in the acute hospital under the indirect supervision of the Play Specialist.
• To lead group play activities as directed by the Play Specialist for children and young children.
• To provide support to families under stress and in crisis.
• To establish effective communication, both verbal and written with all members of the multidisciplinary team, parents/carers and the child themselves.
• To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
• To liaise and support a variety of non-hospital professionals including visiting teachers and other visiting agencies.
• To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of the child.
• To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Trust standards.
• To encourage and extend play activities in other areas of the hospital and offer advice relating to play and play facilities / resources.
• To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to their needs.
• To assist in lifting children with more complex needs, either using hoists or in accordance with manual handling techniques. To regularly be able to assist with moving and transporting equipment and toys.

Education/Service Development

• To be involved in the education of families in relation to play.
• To participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice of care pathways and protocols.
• To participate in the delivery of the play service development plan.

Personnel/Professional

• To apply theoretical knowledge and understanding to professional practice.
• Refer any complaints from patients, visitors or staff to the ward manager.
• To ensure that confidentiality is always maintained, including the storage of records and the transfer of verbal and written information.
• Promote good relationships and communications within all work areas.
• Report any untoward incidents to the nurse in charge and complete the appropriate documentation.
• To select, monitor and order play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group.
• To be responsible for maintaining play equipment, in accordance with Trust health and safety requirements and to identify areas where extra resources and equipment are required.
• The post holder will be exposed to potentially distressing circumstances daily.

For a full comprehensive list of main responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to job description and personal specification attached.