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Job overview
Permanent | Full Time
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our established Play Service team at Sheffield Children’s Hospital predominantly working in ED/AAU.
The role requires you to be flexible due to service need and demand, as you will be expected to work across various wards and departments within the Trust as required . Our team has 24 staff in different roles including Play Service Managers, Play Specialists, and Play leaders.
As Play Leader you will provide appropriate play and recreation activities for children from 0 – 16 years, who are either attending as Outpatients in clinic areas or on a Ward. You will also be expected to work with the team leader Play Specialist to deliver therapeutic and normalising play.
You will be responsible for promoting the play service, and ensuring that the environment is family friendly, age appropriate and safe. You should have good communication skills, enjoy working with children and young people and their families and be able to use your own initiative, as well as working within a team.
About You
- English Language GCSE A-C or Level 2 equivalent. Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education / NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing,
- NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development or other professional Childcare Qualification at Level 3 or above
- Working with children Able to support volunteers and play assistants
If you think you have what it takes to be our next Play Leader, we would love to hear from you.
Main duties of the job
- To provide play services across all areas where children and young people attend, at times dictated by their needs. This will include evenings and weekends.
- To provide play and activities, appropriate to the age and needs of the children and young people throughout the trust
- To ensure the environment in which children and young people attend is friendly, age appropriate and safe
- To work with the play specialist, delivering programmes of play and distraction both developmental. normalising and therapeutic.
- To positively promote and develop play services within the organisation
- Reporting into the Play specialist and Play Service Manager, some of your responsibilities will include:
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 6117 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Children’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone’s success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at [email protected]. Together, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.
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Person specification
Experience
Essential
- Working with children
- Able to support volunteers and play assistants
Knowledge and skills
Essential
- Maintaining a safe environment
- Basic knowledge of Safeguarding/Child Protection
- To understand the importance of play to minimise the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family
- To have basic key board / I.T. skills to effectively use hospital information systems, including inputting data
Qualifications/Training
Essential
- English Language GCSE A-C or Level 2 equivalent
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education / NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing, NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development or other professional Childcare Qualification at Level 3 or above
Desirable
- Hospital Play Certificate Play-work Sector Endorsed Foundation degree (PSEFD)
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Play Leader with Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust in Sheffield, North East and Yorkshire, England. It is listed as a Band 4 Manager and corporate role. The advertised salary is £28,392 - £31,157 per annum. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 16 Jul 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 (06 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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