County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital Play Assistant
The closing date is 28 January 2026
Are you looking to join the Paediatric Team within the Emergency Department at Darlington Memorial Hospital?
A Play Assistant in a Paediatric Emergency Department helps reduce anxiety and fear in children by providing emotional support and engaging activities during their hospital visit. They use therapeutic play to explain medical procedures in a child‑friendly way, offer distraction during treatments, and create a comforting environment that promotes normalcy. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, Play Assistants ensure that the emotional and psychological needs of young patients are met, enhancing their overall care experience in the emergency setting.
Main duties of the job
The Play Assistant will provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma within families.
They will help to bridge the gap between hospital and home, creating a positive environment and a positive patient journey.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre‑employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester‑le‑Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under‑represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on AI‑generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicants chances of success.
For the most up‑to‑date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 – Healthcare assistants – You must have been employed for a minimum of two years as a HCA within the NHS for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job responsibilities
A Play Assistant in a Paediatric Emergency Department plays a crucial role in supporting the emotional and psychological needs of children during their hospital visit. Their primary responsibility is to create a comforting and child‑friendly environment that helps reduce anxiety, stress, and fear often associated with medical settings. Here are key aspects of their role:
Providing Distraction and Comfort – Play Assistants use various activities, such as games, art, and storytelling, to distract children during medical procedures or waiting times. This helps to minimize distress and make the experience less intimidating.
Supporting Therapeutic Play – They engage children in therapeutic play, which helps them understand and cope with their illness, injuries or upcoming procedures. This type of play can help explain medical processes in an age‑appropriate way.
Emotional Support – Play Assistants provide emotional support not only to the children but also to their families, helping them navigate the challenges of being in an emergency department. They act as a comforting presence during what can be a highly stressful time.
Promoting Normalcy – By encouraging play, they help maintain a sense of normalcy for the child, which is essential for emotional well‑being. This is particularly important in an emergency setting where the environment can be overwhelming and unfamiliar.
Assisting Healthcare Professionals – Play Assistants work closely with doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff, offering insights into a childs emotional state and needs, which can be valuable during treatment. They may also help prepare children for procedures, using play to explain what will happen in a way that is understandable to the child.
Creating a Child‑Friendly Environment – They help to design and maintain a welcoming space filled with age‑appropriate toys, books and activities, ensuring the paediatric emergency department feels less clinical and more engaging for young patients.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
* Rotational shift patterns
Special Skills & Knowledge
* Understanding of developmental, social and psychological needs of children, young people and their families.
* Knowledge of developmental needs from birth to 18 years, incorporating all special needs, cultures and diversities.
* Understanding health & safety issues and confidentiality/data protection.
* Leadership skills – Leading play service in area of work and leading projects and schemes.
* Ability to empower other health care professionals in providing specialised play materials and interaction. Communication skills.
* Able to work independently using own initiative and within a team.
* Document and report writing skills.
* Enthusiastic and forward thinking.
* Ability to reflect practice through.
* Show willingness to learn and develop self and practice.
* Ability to work with families under stress.
* Awareness of literature and government legislation relating to children and young people including child protection, Children’s Act 1989, Human Rights Act, UN Convention The rights of the child etc.
* Clinical skills in all aspects of developmental, therapeutic & specialised play.
* Presentation/teaching skills.
* Consultation skills with children/teenagers and families to obtain user views and participation.
Qualifications
* NVQ Level 3 in Childcare or equivalent (e.g. NNEB BTEC Nursery Nurse qualification)
* Play work special needs
* Level 2 safeguarding
Experience
* Previous Childcare experience – e.g. working within a Nursery or School.
* Experience of working in a Hospital environment.
* Working with Children/young people in intensive settings. Community work/ home/ school visits.
* Working with children/young people in groups or individually. Working with different cultures.
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.
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
£24,937 to £26,598 a year AFC Band 3 per annum pro rata
J-18808-Ljbffr