Play Specialist

Job summary

Haven House is looking for a compassionate and creative Play Specialist to lead and deliver therapeutic, developmental and recreational play for babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Main duties of the job

Working across the hospice, Hospice at Home and community settings, you will coordinate the day-to-day play service, support families, plan meaningful activities and help create positive, inclusive childhood experiences.

We are seeking someone with experience of working with children and young people, strong communication and organisational skills, and a warm, flexible approach. Experience with children with additional needs, hospice care or bereavement support would be an advantage.

If you are passionate about using play to support children and families, we would love to hear from you.

If you believe you have what it takes to make a difference to the children and families we care for, get in touch today.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff to share this commitment. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

About us

As a band 5 you will be entitled to the following range of benefits;

• Retention of your NHS pension (subject to criteria)
• Agenda for Change long holiday service entitlement, if applicable
• Unsocial hours payments
• London Allowance
• Free on-site parking
• Employee assistance programme
• Eye care voucher scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

Details

• Date posted: 14 August 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 5
• Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year plus high cost area supplement
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time
• Reference number: B0186-26-0016
• Job locations: The White House, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 9LB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

The Play Specialist will lead and coordinate the delivery of therapeutic, developmental and recreational play across the Integrated Care Team, providing hands-on play support to babies, children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions while also coordinating the day-to-day running of the play service.

Working across the hospice, family homes through the Hospice at Home service and community settings where required, the Play Specialist will promote normal childhood experiences, emotional wellbeing, inclusion and quality of life, coordinate the rota and resources of the wider play team, and act as the key point of contact for play provision, working collaboratively with families and the multidisciplinary team.

Service Coordination

Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the play service across the hospice, Hospice at Home and community settings, ensuring consistent cover across all care settings.

Coordinate and help plan the play team rota, including Play Coordinators and volunteers, in agreement with the Nursing Service Lead.

Act as first point of contact for play-related queries from families, the multidisciplinary team and external partners.

Coordinate the ordering, maintenance and safe storage of play equipment and resources, monitoring stock and escalating replacement needs.

Support the induction, supervision and day-to-day guidance of Play Coordinator, students and volunteers within the play team.

Coordinate referrals and prioritisation of play support across the caseload, working with the Nurse in Charge to align play provision with clinical need.

Contribute to the planning and coordination of play-related events, activities and family days.

Clinical and Play Practice

Plan, organise and deliver age-appropriate therapeutic and recreational play activities.

Promote choice, independence, inclusion and participation.

Support respite, day care, Hospice at Home and end-of-life care where appropriate.

Assist with personal care while maintaining dignity and respect.

Follow individual care plans, play care plans and risk assessments.

Observe and report changes in a childs physical, emotional or behavioural wellbeing.

Maintain a safe, stimulating and welcoming play environment.

Adapt activities for children with complex medical needs, learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

Use specialist equipment safely following appropriate training.

Review and update individual play care plans where appropriate, ensuring they accurately reflect the childs current developmental needs, preferences, abilities, interests and goals, escalating any significant changes to the Nurse in Charge or Integrated Nursing Service Lead.

Deliver planned play and wellbeing sessions within the family home as part of the Hospice at Home service, providing therapeutic play, emotional support and meaningful activities that promote normal childhood experiences while working in partnership with families and the multidisciplinary team.

Work collaboratively with the Childrens Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) to support memory work for children and families receiving palliative and end-of-life care, including the creation of personalised keepsakes, memory boxes, handprints, footprints, casts, photographs and other legacy items. Accurately document memory work and Hospice at Home interventions, reviewing and updating individual play care plans where appropriate to reflect the childs changing needs, preferences and goals.

Family Support

Build positive relationships with children, young people and families.

Support parents and carers to participate in play.

Provide compassionate emotional support.

Ensure activities reflect individual preferences, culture and wishes.

Communication

Work effectively within the multidisciplinary team.

Participate in handovers and team meetings.

Maintain accurate records.

Share relevant observations to support care planning.

Maintain confidentiality.

Professional Responsibilities

Complete mandatory training, appraisal and supervision.

Maintain professional knowledge and competence.

Follow safeguarding and hospice policies.

Promote equality, diversity and inclusion.

Report incidents and safety concerns.

Care for hospice equipment.

Other duties

1. To promote and live the Haven House values of Compassionate, Professional, Respectful and Safe.

2. To work with colleagues across the hospice as part of the Haven House One Team approach fostering collaboration across all care disciplines, ensuring integrated, child-centred care.

3. To conduct yourself in line with the Haven House cultures and behaviours at all times, acting as an ambassador for the hospice.

4. To actively participate in continuous improvement initiatives to support achieving an Outstanding rating

5. To offer flexible support for the work of the organisation, with a flexible approach to new duties and responsibilities as needed to support our vision, mission and values.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual performance process.

Haven House is committed to Equal Opportunities in Employment and therefore it is our aim to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on grounds of gender, disability, religion, race, colour, sexual orientation, and nationality, ethnic or national origins or is placed at a disadvantage by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable. Haven House is responsible under the existing equality and diversity legislation to ensure equality issues are promoted and you are expected to work with Haven House to fulfil these obligations, policies and codes of good practice.

Employees must take reasonable care and be aware of the responsibilities placed on them under the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) and ensure that agreed safety procedures are carried out to maintain a safe environment for employees, patients and visitors.

Haven House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Employment is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.