We encourage applications from all with protected characteristics and from those in the Armed Forces Community. Applicants are invited to apply in Welsh; any application submitted through the medium of Welsh will not be treated less favourably than applications made in English.
If you are successful at interview for this post, you will receive your conditional offer of appointment and information pack via email.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy at any time. Therefore, we encourage early applications to ensure consideration for this post. If you are shortlisted for this post, you will be contacted via the email account you used to apply, so please check your account regularly.
Please check your email account regularly. Successful applicants will receive all recruitment-related correspondence via the email account registered on the application form.
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board supports flexible working.
Please note that this vacancy may be withdrawn at any time should it be filled via the internal redeployment process.
Job Overview
In collaboration with Starlight Children’s Foundation, we are excited to offer this fixed term Band 4 Playworker role to support Children and Young People (CYP) in coping with their medical condition and developing strategies to manage their associated medical regimen. To be successful in this role, you will have a relevant qualification in Play, child development, therapeutic play work, or arts therapy, and experience working with CYP in social or healthcare settings.
The post holder will need to enjoy working with children, be emotionally resilient, and have compassion for others. You will report to the Community play specialist in the service, see patients attending for clinic and treatment, and be vital in reducing anxiety surrounding hospital procedures through desensitisation and normalising play. You will work with all CYP and their families with identified needs, but with an emphasis on children with developmental difficulties and/or neurodevelopmental presentations or children undergoing MRIs for a research project. This may involve supporting the wider team to understand the importance of play for these children and young people. The service is child needs-led, and interventions will be offered within the local community and/or The Grange Hospital depending on the CYP’s needs.
This is a fixed term contract until 31 March 2026.
Main duties of the job
* Using therapeutic play techniques to help children understand and cope with their medical condition, treatment, and its impact on their daily life.
* Supporting the lead health play specialist through their triage to manage a large caseload of children within clinical pathways.
* Working within outpatient clinics with children/young people (CYP) and their families.
* Attending home visits to support children’s wellbeing through play.
* Supporting the collection of case studies and impact evidence, within the boundaries of informed consent and agreed procedures.
* Using evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions for children and young people.
* Support Starlight as requested and in collaboration with the health play specialist.
* Carry out other duties as agreed with the Senior health play specialist and Starlight supervisor.
* As the post is funded externally by Starlight Children’s Foundation, there will be an additional emphasis on data collection for impact measurement and reporting, as well as support at external events.
In addition to being part of the Paediatric Psychology Service, you will also be part of the Starlight Children’s Foundation with access to regular supervision, training, and resources.
Working for our organisation
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow, and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary, and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.
We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications, and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work-life balance, provide occupational health support, and have an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.
Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high-quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Diploma or equivalent demonstrable level of knowledge and experience to include: NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA).
* Significant experience in supporting children therapeutically using play.
* Ability to work with and provide creative activities to individual and groups of children/adolescents.
Desirable criteria
* Additional qualifications in a clinically relevant area.
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience working as a Play Worker in a health setting (hospital and/or community).
* Significant experience in childcare settings.
* Experience/knowledge of different cultures and ethnic groups with a specific focus on play and health.
Desirable criteria
* Previous work within Paediatrics/Children with Developmental Delay and/or Neurodevelopmental service.
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