Job summary
ZoesPlace Baby Hospice provides 24 hour respite, palliative and end of life carefor babies and children up to the age of six years with life-limiting and lifethreatening complex needs. Play leaders are a key member of the Zoes Placeteam workforce, working with nurses, health care assistants, fundraising staff,play specialists and outside agencies. The play leader will develop ageappropriate play plans for children with complex care needs, contributingtowards the holistic care of our children. To promote an awareness of theemotional needs of children and the importance of play within the care team. Towork in partnership with parents, siblings, carers and care staff, encouragingpositive play experiences. The post holder will ensure that all care andinteractions are of the highest standards.
Main duties of the job
Establish and maintain effective communication with children, familiesand professionals across health and social care services.
Ensure that all children receive the appropriateplay and stimulation related to their emotional / developmental needs. Organiseand facilitate said play with support.
To devise individualised play plans for children.
To create individual developmental and playassessments for each and every child, adjusting when the childs needs havechanged, with support.
To ensure that individual childrens care plans arefollowed to the highest standards.
To provide psycho-social, emotional and physicalcare and support to children and families.
Through the provision of play provide support forthe families and siblings that are under stress and in crisis, demonstrating acommitment to family centred care.
Inform, educate, support and advise families in therole of play.
To normalise hospice environment to replicateactivities which can be done in other settings.
To advocate for the child and families, recognisingchallenges and supporting decisions and choices.
To arrange trips and activities for children inline with Zoes Place outings policy.
To promote an awareness of the emotional needs ofchildren and the importance of play within a care team.
Creating opportunities for legacy building (memorymaking) for families, by providing them with options and resources.
Contribute to the selection and purchase of toysand play equipment
About us
Zoes Place Baby Hospice specialises in supporting early-years children who have life-limiting or life-threatening complex illnesses or profound disabilities with a wide range of diagnoses.
Our nurse-led care focusses on helping babies and young children make the most of everyday moments and experiences, with further support available for the whole family.
We offer a range of therapies and activities for children who stay with us for regular, short stay respite care, helping them to embrace their childhood. For those children who sadly need it, we provide end of life care and are able to support families after the death of a child.
Family members and carers can access counselling and complementary therapies to help support them through their childs illnesses, with bereavement counselling available.
Our team of paediatric nurses, play leaders and counsellors offer additional support to the siblings of children using our services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
oTo develop play plans, contributing towards theholistic care of children.
oTo promote an awareness of the emotional needsof children in a hospice setting, and the importance of play within themulti-disciplinary team.
oTo adhere to Zoes Place Trust policies andprocedures, guidelines and standards at all times and to promote these toothers.
oTo ensure that up to date written play recordsand activity data are maintained and daily recorded via Chase and patient notesin accordance with professional and Trust standards.
oAttend and participate in an annual appraisaland regular reviews of performance and objectives, identifying gaps inknowledge/skills and developing a plan to enhance service and self-development.
oTo encourage and promote the philosophy ofZoes Place and present a good public image, to co-operate with all staff inmaintaining good relationships with outside agencies in order to upholdcharitys image and to win increased support for its work.
oTo report any incidents and accidents to thenurse in charge in a timely manner and ensure that they are recorded in theappropriate documentation.
oTo promote and maintain dignity, privacy andconfidentiality at all times.
oTo conduct yourself at all times in aprofessional manner in both appearance and conduct.
Person Specification
Skills and Attributes
Essential
1. Excellent communication skills with adults and children with complex care needs
2. Able to adapt to a changing environment
3. Professional boundaries
4. Work autonomously
5. Able to plan implement and evaluate play programmes.
Desirable
6. Basic IT skills
7. Excellent use of the English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Experience
Essential
8. Experience working/ caring for children with complex care needs.
9. Play therapy within a school, hospital or hospice environment
Desirable
10. Experience of supporting families who have experienced loss or bereavement
11. Experience of working with children with complex care needs
Qualifications
Essential
12. Foundation degree in Healthcare play specialist or BA HONS in Children and early childhood/early years sector degree or Degree in education studies or Early years foundation degree or BA HONS Childhood studies or NVQ Level 3 or 4 diploma in early years education or childcare