Overview
Transform Hospital Stays for Children – Join Our Dedicated Play Team! Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children during their hospital journey? Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to create a positive, playful environment that supports emotional and physical recovery? If so, we want you to join our expanding Play Team at North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust!
Our Play Service is integral to the holistic care we provide for children and young people aged 0-17 years across two sites. We strive to create an environment where play is not just an activity but a vital component of healthcare, supporting developmental, therapeutic and recovery needs. With recent developments in our Trust, we are placing an even stronger emphasis on play as an essential part of a child’s care journey.
The Opportunity
We are looking for enthusiastic and registered Healthcare Play Specialists to join our team. You’ll play a pivotal role in using evidence-based practice to assess, plan, and deliver therapeutic play interventions tailored to individual needs.
What We’re Looking For
* A Healthcare Play Specialist qualification (Foundation Degree or equivalent).
* Registration as a Healthcare Play Specialist.
* Proven experience working with children in a healthcare setting.
* Strong communication, time management, and leadership skills.
* Ability to work both independently and as part of a team across sites.
What You’ll Bring
Your creativity, compassion, and expertise will help bridge the gap between hospital and home, creating a positive and memorable experience for children and their families.
As a qualified and registered Play Specialist, you will:
* Work collaboratively within the Play Team and the wider multidisciplinary team.
* Use therapeutic and developmental play techniques to meet the emotional, physical, and social needs of children and young people.
* Support families in engaging with their child’s play and recovery journey.
* Facilitate distraction and preparation techniques for invasive or painful procedures.
* Develop individual play programs for long-term or specific needs patients.
* Act as an advocate for the importance of play within the hospital setting, showcasing its value to the wider healthcare team.
Commitment to Diversity
We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, with a special focus on welcoming individuals from disabled, Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, as well as those from our local area.
Benefits and Next Steps
In line with our dedication to employee support, we offer a variety of benefits. For more information, please see the attached staff benefits leaflet. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to excel in their roles. Join us and become part of a team dedicated to making a positive difference in our community.
Please refer to the attached job description for a comprehensive list of duties, responsibilities, and expectations.
This advert closes on Thursday 25 Sep 2025
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