Job summary Leeds Childrens Hospital is one of the largest childrens hospitals in the UK and is part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Based in one of the fastest growing and most vibrant cities in the UK, we provide secondary and tertiary care to children, young people and their families from Leeds, Yorkshire, and the North of England. At Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, we have defined a culture based on values and behaviours known as the Leeds Way - Patient Centred, Fair, Collaborative, Accountable and Empowered. We have recently been assessed as a Good Hospital by the CQC. The Leeds Childrens Hospital is Aiming High; Delivering the Best. We strive to be a place where staff are proud to work and children, young people and their families feel welcome. We are looking for a Play Specialist / Play leader to work over Paediatric Wards /settings to work as part of a team of Hospital Play specialists/ Play Leaders to provide high quality, holistic play service for children and their families. To ensure all children have appropriate access to play whilst in hospital, plan play programmes enabling children and young people to understand, accept and co-ordinate with treatment. You would need to show an enthusiastic manor, be dynamic, while motivated, at all times Expected Shortlisting Date 03/04/2025 Planned Interview Date 16/04/2025 Main duties of the job Working as part of the play team and service you will ensure planned and supervised play/activities are provided for children and young people on the wards, clinic, and other environments where children are treated. Consider the complex needs of children within the hospital environment. Prepare children for treatments and procedures. Alleviate anxiety related to clinical procedures or situations through diversional occupation. Ensure toys and play equipment are safe and appropriate for the age/developmental stage of each child/young person and appropriate stock is maintained. Ensure the ward environment is child friendly and stimulating. About us Leeds Childrens hospital offers a wide range of treatment and care for children from birth to young adulthood and beyond. Our ambition is to be a globally recognised, leading provider of healthcare for children and young people; engaging with our patients and their families to make our services and their experience the best they can be. Our holistic approach focuses on ensuring that children receive the best possible clinical care whilst supporting them to live their best life and to achieve their key milestones. Leeds Childrens Hospital operates 27 highly specialist services, which constitutes around 67% of the hospitals total activity. More than 62,000 outpatient appointments are held each year and there are approximately 22,600 inpatient episodes. As a specialist centre, the Childrens Hospital also runs outreach clinics at 22 hospitals across the North of England. Leeds Teaching Hospitals is committed to our process of redeploying 'at risk' members of our existing workforce to new roles. As such, all our job adverts are subject to this policy and we reserve the right to close, delay or remove adverts while this process is completed. If you do experience a delay in the shortlisting stage of the recruitment cycle, please bear with us while this process is completed, and contact the named contact if you have any questions. Date posted 13 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 4 Salary £26,530 to £29,114 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number C9298-CHI-0353 Job locations Leeds General Infirmary Great George Street Leeds LS1 3EX Job description Job responsibilities To lead, plan and provide therapeutic and specialised programmes of play in the hospital setting To assess the childs emotional and psychological well-being and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet their individual needs To work with children and their families and help them understand their medical and nursing treatment To alleviate anxiety related to clinical procedures or situations through the use of preparation and distraction techniques to facilitate coping mechanisms and emotional well-being. To design tools and techniques for preparation or distraction to prepare individual children for a range of procedures; evaluate their effectiveness, and change where necessary To document observations of play, and the effectiveness of interventions To provide supervision and support to Play Leaders working across the childrens hospital and ensure that programmes of play are consistent across the hospital setting while leading in developing a variety of good practice within the speciality. To liaise lead and develop resources to help best meet the needs of individual children. To ensure toys and play equipment are safe, well maintained, and appropriate for the age/developmental stage of each child/young person and appropriate stock is ordered and maintained. To clean and maintain play equipment and activities before and between use. To set up activities in the play room, and assist the physical moving of children where required to engage in play activities To document family dynamics, and escalate any concerns appropriately if they arise To work with siblings through planned play activities & support the sibling group. To contribute to the learning environment for students and provide mentoring when required.. Job description Job responsibilities To lead, plan and provide therapeutic and specialised programmes of play in the hospital setting To assess the childs emotional and psychological well-being and work as part of a multidisciplinary team to meet their individual needs To work with children and their families and help them understand their medical and nursing treatment To alleviate anxiety related to clinical procedures or situations through the use of preparation and distraction techniques to facilitate coping mechanisms and emotional well-being. To design tools and techniques for preparation or distraction to prepare individual children for a range of procedures; evaluate their effectiveness, and change where necessary To document observations of play, and the effectiveness of interventions To provide supervision and support to Play Leaders working across the childrens hospital and ensure that programmes of play are consistent across the hospital setting while leading in developing a variety of good practice within the speciality. To liaise lead and develop resources to help best meet the needs of individual children. To ensure toys and play equipment are safe, well maintained, and appropriate for the age/developmental stage of each child/young person and appropriate stock is ordered and maintained. To clean and maintain play equipment and activities before and between use. To set up activities in the play room, and assist the physical moving of children where required to engage in play activities To document family dynamics, and escalate any concerns appropriately if they arise To work with siblings through planned play activities & support the sibling group. To contribute to the learning environment for students and provide mentoring when required.. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Childcare/play work qualification level 3 and above Desirable Foundation degree in healthcare play specialism or hospital play specialist qualification (Professional Diploma BTEC level 4) registered with the Society of Health Play Specialist Skills & behaviours Essential Team working Good communication written and verbal skills Experience working with children Experience Essential Insight into roles responsibilities of post Child development and related play development Additional Requirements Essential Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy Person Specification Qualifications Essential Childcare/play work qualification level 3 and above Desirable Foundation degree in healthcare play specialism or hospital play specialist qualification (Professional Diploma BTEC level 4) registered with the Society of Health Play Specialist Skills & behaviours Essential Team working Good communication written and verbal skills Experience working with children Experience Essential Insight into roles responsibilities of post Child development and related play development Additional Requirements Essential Able to fulfil Occupational Health requirements for the post (with reasonable adjustments if necessary), including clearance on blood borne viruses in compliance with Trust Policy Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Leeds Teaching Hospitals Address Leeds General Infirmary Great George Street Leeds LS1 3EX Employer's website https://www.leedsth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)