As a Hospital Play Specialist you’ll provide a high-quality, holistic play service for children and their families. You ensure that every child has access to appropriate play opportunities during their hospital stay. Through tailored play programmes, Hospital Play Specialists help children and young people understand, process, and actively participate in their treatment, providing comfort and support for both them and their families.
As a Play Specialist, you enter the playroom and immediately begin setting up a space that feels safe, welcoming, and full of warmth. You know it’s not just about toys - it’s about creating an environment where children (0 to 17 years old) can feel calm and ready to face the day ahead. You’ll be working as part of a multidisciplinary team, including nurses, surgeons, physiotherapists, radiologists, and consultants from various specialties. As a Hospital Play Specialist, you'll collaborate with colleagues
and may be asked to observe children's play and behaviour in a natural setting, such as the playroom or teen room. These observations can provide valuable insights to support treatment and the well-being of children and young people, often leading to creative ways of assisting in their care.
• Undertaking therapeutic assessments and designing play programmes tailored to individual needs.
• Supporting children and families with preparation for procedures using play as a communication tool.
• Promoting emotional resilience through distraction and post-procedural play.
• Maintaining and organising the playroom, teenage space, and play equipment to the highest health and safety standards.
• Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team to provide holistic care and contribute to patient treatment plans.
• Documenting therapeutic interventions and outcomes, ensuring a high standard of care.
• Advocating for the emotional needs of children and young people across the hospital.
When you join our team, you’ll be part of a lively, welcoming environment designed to make everyone feel at home. We’re dedicated to creating a space that’s not only fun for the children but also uplifting for staff, with celebration days and special projects that bring everyone together. And, of course, you can count on donning boppers for Christmas and Halloween!
Our purpose-built playroom is a vibrant and dynamic space where work feels more like play. It opens up to a beautiful garden, providing the perfect spot for outdoor activities that help patients enjoy fresh air and fun. The garden also serves as a peaceful retreat for staff to recharge and unwind. We go the extra mile to bring joy to the children’s experience, hosting special visits from local bird sanctuaries, musical performances, and exciting guests—our most recent being the Chelsea Football Team.
As a fun-loving team, we always put children at the heart of everything we do. We’re excited to expand into A&E, bringing our approach to this new area, with everyone on the team involved. It’s an exciting time to join us and be part of this incredible journey.
Your core hours will be 37.5 hours per week, with shifts between 8-4pm or 10-6pm over 7 days, including some weekend work.
For the children who can’t leave their beds, you bring the fun to them, delivering games or a little something special to brighten their day. Whether it’s preparing a child or young person for a procedure, offering comfort to a parent, or planning a small surprise celebration with your team, you can’t help but feel that, no matter how big or small, you’re making a real difference at a time when the children and families need it most.
If you’re someone who thrives in a dynamic, supportive environment and loves making a positive impact in the lives of children and families, this role could be the perfect fit for you.
Please note: You must hold or be working toward a Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism and be registered with the Society of Healthcare Play Specialists (SoHPS).
***Please see the attached supporting document/s which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***
This advert closes on Wednesday 26 Feb 2025