Job overview
To provide psychological and physical support in the form of play and distraction to children and their families when attending clinical environments. This involves caring for children and their families with all types of medical conditions requiring hospital visits. The post holder will develop skills, through guidance, to enable them to be sensitive to the emotional needs of children and their families when visiting hospital. Overall responsibility for promoting play within the hospital setting.
To support this role the post holder will require an awareness of childrens health needs and develop skills to aid trained staff in the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care, within the childrens health setting.
Main duties of the job
To provide age appropriate play, distraction and reassurance to children during clinical assessments and procedures.
Support the delivery of high quality care in line with EYFS, child development principles and Trust policies.
Assist with patient flow, appointment preparation, and maintaining safe, engaging play spaces.
Communicate effectively with children, young people and their families,
Working for our organisation
We support the 'Making Every Contact Count' approach to behaviour change in the promotion of health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust offers leadership and improvement training to all new staff. This training programme has been designed to support our staff in developing their understanding of leadership and management skills. You will be expected to attend the following training sessions:
Your Leadership Impact
Service Improvement for Beginners
After you complete these one and a half days of training, you will be able to explore further leadership and improvement training opportunities. We also offer a range of additional in-house courses and bitesize programmes through our Leadership and Improvement Team
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.
Person specification
Qualifications & Training
Essential criteria
1. Level 3 qualification in Childcare/Early Years/Education (or equivalent)
2. Continuous professional development in childcare or health related areas
Desirable criteria
3. Training in behaviour management or special educational needs
Knowledge & Skills
Essential criteria
4. Strong communication skills, able to interact with children, families and healthcare staff
5. Sound knowledge of EYFS principles, child development and age appropriate learning
6. Understanding of safeguarding procedures and confidentiality standards
7. Able to provide nurturing, patient and responsive care to children
8. Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise tasks in a busy environment
Desirable criteria
9. Understanding of inclusive practice and strategies for supporting children with SEND
10. Skills in supporting parents/carers with early childhood guidance or health promotion
Experience
Essential criteria
11. Recent working with children and young people
12. Providing high quality care, learning and developmental support for children and families
Desirable criteria
13. Communication with multi-disciplinary teams
14. Evidence of supporting children with developmental or medical needs
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
15. Good organisational and be able to prioritise in a busy environment
16. Professional attitude and commitment to high quality care
17. Have a child centred approach
Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is now the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are new to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. We welcome applications from the Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network; LGBT+ Network; Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions Network, Faith Network, Childless not by Choice Network and the Menopause Support Group.
As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you.
If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, email our team at
Right to Work in the UK
The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship here Work in the UK - (.
Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.
Please note that not everyone needs a Skilled Worker visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or adult social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.
We are able to offer sponsorship for a Health and Care Worker or Skilled Worker visa, subject to candidate and position eligibility. Please review the job eligibility guidance for skilled workers here: Skilled Worker visa: Your job - ( and for the Health and Care Worker visa here: Skilled Worker visa: eligible healthcare and education jobs - (
Please note: if the job you are applying for does not meet the eligibility criteria above, we will be unable to offer you sponsorship and you will need to explore whether you may be eligible to apply for an alternative immigration route which will secure your right to work in the UK before you apply. If you are in the UK already on a visa, please ensure you have no restrictions that would prevent you from taking this post.
The Trust encourages and supports all applicants to be fully vaccinated against both COVID19 and influenza.
Please be aware, there are occasions where some vacancies may close prior to the closing date advertised. This will only happen where sufficient applications are received AND will be made evident on the job advert.
Please note if you are successfully shortlisted, we will contact you via the email address that you have applied from so please ensure you check your emails regularly.
Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.