Job summary An amazing opportunity has arisen for a Qualified and Registered Health Play Specialist to join the Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit (POSCU) multidisciplinary team, working alongside them to support children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer. This is an exciting and challenging role where you can apply your skills in providing therapeutic play, preparation, distraction therapy and normalised play to children and young people with cancer, providing a varied and stimulating programme; ensuring children and young people are distracted and continue to focus on normalised and familiar activities. You should have excellent communications skills, requiring a high degree of empathy, understanding, diplomacy, honesty, integrity and sensitivity due to the nature of cancer. You will need to have experience of working effectively within a multi-disciplinary team, maintaining confidentiality throughout. You must be able to accurately document all patient interventions on the patient's electronic notes. You will need the Health Play Specialist qualification and be a registered Health Play Specialist and have experience of working with young people (ages 0 - 18 years) children in a healthcare setting and to be able to deal sensitively with families under stress; as well as individual, groups and multi-agency work. You will need an understanding of the differing needs of patients with additional and special needs. Main duties of the job The post holder must be registered and Qualified health Play Specialist holding the foundation degree in Health Care Play Specialism or the, Edxcel certificate or diploma as a Hospital Play Specialist. To work with children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer across wards and departments. To work with CYP and families from the initial stages to identify the child's emotional and developmental need and develop create a play intervention plan. To manage and be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and the evaluation of play strategies which encompass the developmental and emotional needs of the children/young people and their families or carers within the hospital setting. To adhere to the safeguarding policy and guidance within the Trust to ensure the safety of CYP within the organisation. To ensure that all children and young people have appropriate access to play and recreation resources whilst at the hospital and home. To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of CYP and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs. To deliver training and education on the importance and impact that therapeutic play intervention has on child and young person to the multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Be responsible for acting in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the good standard and reputation of Play (Acknowledgement-SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct/ SoHPS Standards) About us King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of c£1.8 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.. Date posted 10 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 5 Salary £35,964 to £43,780 a year per annum including HCA Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 213-CAX-6995958 Job locations King's College Hospital Denmark Hill LONDON SE5 9RS Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities. To create a welcoming, caring and safe play environment for the CYP with cancer and their families. To use play as a tool to communicate and build a rapport with children and young people with cancer attending the hospital. To manage and be responsible in using theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions in hospital which encompass the development and emotional needs of CYP. (This includes distraction and preparations techniques). To take individual referrals for children/Young people and their family members experiencing difficulty in managing hospital admissions/procedures. To work with members of the Oncology MDT. To document therapeutic interventions and outcomes on patient records system. To ensure that patient records and activity data are maintained contemporaneously in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. Attend MDT meetings and contribute to treatment and care plans. Devise play programmes for CYP with cancer in hospital or home, according to their individual needs and as part of their overall care plan. To plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive, such as chemotherapy or biopsy and non-invasive procedures. (This includes distraction therapy and post procedural play). To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes. To support and involve parents and carers in their childs distraction and play plans. To empathise with and provide and/or facilitate emotional support to parents, carers and siblings during times of stress or crisis, such as at a time of medical diagnosis or bereavement. To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. To establish communication links with other agencies / hospitals involved with the CYP. To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, contributing to patient treatment/care plans. To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of CYP. To contribute and provide expert knowledge when involved in specific projects, audits and plans sharing at a local level. To contribute to the development of protocols, standards (including cancer standards), guidelines and competencies for the department and devise standards for the Play and Youth service. To be responsible for mentoring and clinically supervising Play Workers in your team, with support from your team. Personal and professional development To comply with the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct. To actively participate in maintaining own professional development, identifying own educational and clinical training needs with Line Manager. To maintain a continuing professional portfolio in line with SoHPS recommendations for re-registration, recording learning outcomes from practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities. To ensure own mandatory training certificates are current. To be actively involved in relevant special interest groups. To contribute to policy development demonstrating the ability to evaluate current research and apply to practice. Departmental To contribute to the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols to ensure a consistent and high-quality service. To proactive in the delivery of the play service development plan as part of the overall business plan for the Paediatric oncology, Therapies, Dietetics and Play and Youth Services. To attend staff meetings to share relevant information related to the Trust and the Play & Youth department. To attend CYP service user groups to ensure the safe, meaningful and ethical participation of children and young people within the delivery of quality child health services To select, order and monitor play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group, specialist resources for the use in preparation and distraction will be ordered by the HPS. To be responsible for maintaining the services play resources, in accordance with Trust health and safety and infection control standards. To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multidisciplinary team in child health and in other departments of the hospital where children are treated. To work closely with the Hospital School to minimise the interruption and disruption to children and young peoples education so that academic progress and an interest in learning will continue, as far as medical circumstances permit. To work with hospital and external charities in identifying fundraising opportunities for activities and resources. Education and training To participate in the departments in-service training programmes. Where appropriate represent King's Trust and the Play and Youth Service at conferences and meetings presenting case studies and best practice. To supervise and act as a mentor for HPS/nursing and other health and social care students, as well as and work experience students and volunteers on placement under the direction line manager. To create teaching sessions and participate in the training and education of other health care professionals to promote awareness of the therapeutic benefits of play in hospital, both internally and externally Job description Job responsibilities Main Duties and Responsibilities. To create a welcoming, caring and safe play environment for the CYP with cancer and their families. To use play as a tool to communicate and build a rapport with children and young people with cancer attending the hospital. To manage and be responsible in using theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions in hospital which encompass the development and emotional needs of CYP. (This includes distraction and preparations techniques). To take individual referrals for children/Young people and their family members experiencing difficulty in managing hospital admissions/procedures. To work with members of the Oncology MDT. To document therapeutic interventions and outcomes on patient records system. To ensure that patient records and activity data are maintained contemporaneously in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. Attend MDT meetings and contribute to treatment and care plans. Devise play programmes for CYP with cancer in hospital or home, according to their individual needs and as part of their overall care plan. To plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive, such as chemotherapy or biopsy and non-invasive procedures. (This includes distraction therapy and post procedural play). To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes. To support and involve parents and carers in their childs distraction and play plans. To empathise with and provide and/or facilitate emotional support to parents, carers and siblings during times of stress or crisis, such as at a time of medical diagnosis or bereavement. To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. To establish communication links with other agencies / hospitals involved with the CYP. To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, contributing to patient treatment/care plans. To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of CYP. To contribute and provide expert knowledge when involved in specific projects, audits and plans sharing at a local level. To contribute to the development of protocols, standards (including cancer standards), guidelines and competencies for the department and devise standards for the Play and Youth service. To be responsible for mentoring and clinically supervising Play Workers in your team, with support from your team. Personal and professional development To comply with the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct. To actively participate in maintaining own professional development, identifying own educational and clinical training needs with Line Manager. To maintain a continuing professional portfolio in line with SoHPS recommendations for re-registration, recording learning outcomes from practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities. To ensure own mandatory training certificates are current. To be actively involved in relevant special interest groups. To contribute to policy development demonstrating the ability to evaluate current research and apply to practice. Departmental To contribute to the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols to ensure a consistent and high-quality service. To proactive in the delivery of the play service development plan as part of the overall business plan for the Paediatric oncology, Therapies, Dietetics and Play and Youth Services. To attend staff meetings to share relevant information related to the Trust and the Play & Youth department. To attend CYP service user groups to ensure the safe, meaningful and ethical participation of children and young people within the delivery of quality child health services To select, order and monitor play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group, specialist resources for the use in preparation and distraction will be ordered by the HPS. To be responsible for maintaining the services play resources, in accordance with Trust health and safety and infection control standards. To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multidisciplinary team in child health and in other departments of the hospital where children are treated. To work closely with the Hospital School to minimise the interruption and disruption to children and young peoples education so that academic progress and an interest in learning will continue, as far as medical circumstances permit. To work with hospital and external charities in identifying fundraising opportunities for activities and resources. Education and training To participate in the departments in-service training programmes. Where appropriate represent King's Trust and the Play and Youth Service at conferences and meetings presenting case studies and best practice. To supervise and act as a mentor for HPS/nursing and other health and social care students, as well as and work experience students and volunteers on placement under the direction line manager. To create teaching sessions and participate in the training and education of other health care professionals to promote awareness of the therapeutic benefits of play in hospital, both internally and externally Person Specification Health Play Specialist foundation degree or Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism Essential Demonstrable post registration experience in a range of clinical settings with children/young preferably 2 years of which is in a hospital setting. Skills and ability to plan and apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play Experience of working with children with special needs including those with challenging behaviours and complex health needs Desirable Experience of working with children and young people with cancer and their families Experience of supporting junior staff and/or students Person Specification Health Play Specialist foundation degree or Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism Essential Demonstrable post registration experience in a range of clinical settings with children/young preferably 2 years of which is in a hospital setting. Skills and ability to plan and apply play preparation, distraction therapy and post procedural play Experience of working with children with special needs including those with challenging behaviours and complex health needs Desirable Experience of working with children and young people with cancer and their families Experience of supporting junior staff and/or students 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab). From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab). 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 King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address King's College Hospital Denmark Hill LONDON SE5 9RS Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)