Job overview
The Play Specialist supports the emotional wellbeing and development of children and young people admitted to the acute paediatric ward by providing developmentally appropriate play and activities. The role focuses on helping children cope with hospitalisation, promoting normalisation, and supporting positive healthcare experiences in line with the NHS Play Well Toolkit.
The Play Specialist works as a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team , providing high-quality therapeutic play, preparation, and distraction to support children and young people.
Play Specialists use developmentally appropriate play to support children from infancy through adolescence, ensuring care is child-centred, inclusive, and tailored to individual needs. They work closely with families, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to enhance the overall patient experience and contribute to positive clinical outcomes.
Main duties of the job
- Provide therapeutic and developmentally appropriate play to support children’s psychological, emotional and developmental needs during hospital admission and treatment, in line with Play Well standards for health play services.
- Use play to prepare, support and distract children before, during and after clinical procedures, helping reduce anxiety and potential trauma.
- Create and maintain safe, child‑friendly environments that support normalisation, choice and autonomy for children and young people.
- Advocate for the child’s voice and preferences within the clinical setting, ensuring their needs and views inform care planning and delivery.
- Work collaboratively with families and the multidisciplinary team to enhance child‑centred care and integrate therapeutic play into overall treatment plans.
- Observe, record and communicate children’s responses, behaviour and coping strategies to inform ongoing care and service quality.
- Support inclusive play by attending to diverse needs (age, developmental stage, cultural background, communication needs) and using resources appropriately.
- Maintain accurate documentation, uphold health and safety, infection prevention and safeguarding policies, and ensure play equipment is clean and appropriate for purpose.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached.
If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.
Person specification
other
Essential
- Maintain professional image
Desirable
- Flexibility in working shifts as well as in different environments
Experience
Essential
- Experience with working with children and young people in a hospital or healthcare setting
Desirable
- Experience working with children with additional/complex needs
Qualifications / Training
Essential
- Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Children
- Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or similar
- Current registration with HPSET (Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust)
Desirable
- Hospital Play Specialist Qualification
- Evidence of healthcare related training Membership of professional body eg. NAHPS
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of child development
- Able to plan preparative, distraction and post procedural play
- Effective communicator with good written and spoken English
Desirable
- Able to use own initiative
- Able to remain calm in emergency situation
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Applying for this NHS job
This advert is for Play Specialist with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust in St Leonards On Sea, South East, England. It is listed as a Healthcare support worker role. The advertised salary is £28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro rata. The contract type is Permanent. The application deadline is 10 Aug 2026.
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