Playleaders are key members of the Zoes Place team, working with nurses, Healthcare Assistants, fundraising staff, play specialists, and outside agencies. The play leader will develop age-appropriate play plans for children with complex medical needs, contributing towards the holistic care of the children we support. Within the care team, the postholder will promote awareness of the emotional needs of children and the importance of play, working in partnership with parents, siblings, carers, and care staff, and encouraging positive play experiences. The postholder will ensure that all care and interactions are of the highest standards.
Main duties of the job
1. Establish and maintain effective communication with children, families, and professionals across health and social care services.
2. Ensure that all children receive appropriate play and stimulation related to their emotional/developmental needs. Organize and facilitate said play with support.
3. Devise individualised play plans for children and inject creativity into the hospice and memory making.
4. Create individual developmental and play assessments for every child.
5. Ensure that individual children's care plans are followed to the highest standards.
6. Provide psycho-social, emotional, and physical care and support to children and families.
7. Create a warm, welcoming, caring, and safe environment, which is child-friendly.
8. Support families and siblings under stress and in crisis through play, demonstrating commitment to family-centred care.
9. Inform, educate, support, and advise families about the role of play.
10. Normalise the hospice environment to replicate activities that can be done in other settings.
11. Advocate for the child and family, recognising challenges and supporting decisions and choices.
12. Manage and lead events for children and the wider family, including animal therapy sessions and organizing summer parties.
13. Arrange trips and activities for children in line with Zoe's Place Patient outings and transport policy and Sibling outings and activities policy.
14. Possess good computer and IT skills.
About us
Zoes Place Baby Hospice supports babies and young children with complex illnesses or disabilities from birth to age seven. We aim to ensure children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions enjoy the best possible quality of life and support their families throughout their journey.
Zoe's Place offers respite, palliative, and end-of-life care for children, along with support for the whole family. Our team of specialists provides a range of play therapies and fun activities to make every moment of childhood count.
Job responsibilities
Playleaders are vital members of the Zoes Place team, working collaboratively with nurses, Healthcare Assistants, fundraising staff, play specialists, and outside agencies. They will develop age-appropriate play plans for children with complex care needs, contributing to holistic care. They will promote awareness of children’s emotional needs and the importance of play, working in partnership with families and care staff to encourage positive play experiences, ensuring interactions of the highest standards.
Person Specification
Skills and Attributes
* Excellent communication skills with adults and children with complex care needs.
* Enthusiastic, motivated, and conscientious.
* Flexible to meet service demands.
* Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
* Ability to work within a team and autonomously.
* Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate play programmes.
* Basic IT skills.
* Excellent command of the English language, demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
Experience
* Experience working with children with complex needs.
* Experience in play therapy within a school, hospital, or hospice environment.
* Experience providing bereavement support in a healthcare setting.
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 in health and social care/childhood studies or equivalent.
* Relevant qualifications or courses related to this role.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check for any criminal convictions.
Salary range: £25,000 to £29,000 depending on experience.
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