Job overview
We have a couple of opportunities for the right people to join our respected hospital play service. This is a chance to use your play skills & develop more specialised play approaches with children from birth to teens.
Some shifts will be faster paced & others will focus on longer term input with patients & families. Each day is unique.
Key highlights:
1. Being part of a hard working but friendly, supportive team of play specialists, play workers & volunteers.
2. Daily variety & creativity to use & build your skills.
3. Finding fun within bustling departments.
We would be happy to consider applications from those with childcare experience who wish to thrive in a play support worker role, as well as those considering development in the future onto an apprenticeship in Health Play Specialist training.
Why join us?
4. Support to build confidence as you grow in your role.
5. There’s lots to do & learn - we are a specialist hospital & London trauma hub.
6. Your input matters. Children’s health & wellbeing is at our core. We value play & activity in all forms, for all patients.
Apply now, if you:
7. Hold a minimum relevant qualification.
8. Have appropriate experience with babies, children & young people.
9. Have excellent play & communication skills.
10. Are calm, kind, confident, creative & committed.
Main duties of the job
11. To plan and provide normalising play/activity interventions for children & young people whilst they are accessing healthcare.
12. To provide normalising play/activity, in isolation or in groups, as appropriate to the developmental, emotional and medical needs of the child.
13. To carry out developmental play as part of a care plan devised with the Healthcare Play Specialist/therapeutic team.
14. Liaise and work alongside colleagues to provide a continuity of care for patient.
15. Work in partnership with children, young people & families using play/activity whilst they are under stress and in crisis.
16. To appropriately refer medical & therapeutic play needs to the Healthcare Play Specialist.
Working for our organisation
At Imperial College Healthcare you can achieve extraordinary things with extraordinary people, working with leading clinicians pushing boundaries in patient care.
Become part of a vibrant team living our values - expert, kind, collaborative and aspirational. You’ll get an experience like no other and will fast forward your career.
Benefits include career development, flexible working and wellbeing, staff recognition scheme. Make use of optional benefits including Cycle to Work, car lease schemes, season ticket loan or membership options for onsite leisure facilities.
We are committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and will consider applications to work flexibly, part time or job share. Please talk to us at interview.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required.
For both overviews please view the Job Description attachment with the job advert.
Person specification
Education & Qualifications
Essential criteria
17. Minimum Level 3 qualifications in Playwork/Child-Development/Childcare/Early Childhood studies or equivalent level 3 healthcare qualification.
18. GCSE Maths and English at grade 4 or above, or equivalent Level 2 in Literacy and Numeracy
Desirable criteria
19. Evidence of ongoing learning
20. Makaton/other alternative communication methods
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
21. Previous experience of working with children/young people in a play, education or hospital setting
22. Knowledge & understanding of child development
23. General level understanding of children with additional needs, such as Autism, ADHD & learning needs
24. Awareness of the different individual & cultural needs of children & young people
Desirable criteria
25. Knowledge of the of the value of play for sick children
26. Experience working with children/young people of different ages/stages of development
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
27. Ability to work with and provide creative activities to individuals & groups of children / teenagers
28. Ability to differentiate your play/activity input to the different child’s needs.
29. Ability to understand and adhere to professional boundaries of the role, referring on to qualified staff or line manager where necessary
30. General ICT skills
Desirable criteria
31. Skills & Abilities
Right to work
If you need sponsorship to work in the UK, please visit the Home Office website for information on sponsorship and visa status before you fill in your application form. Due to recent changes in the UK immigration rules which affect Skilled Worker Visas, Global Business Mobility, Higher Skill Level and Increased Salary Thresholds, please ensure that you are able to meet the requirements to live and work in the UK before applying. Further information about eligibility is available on
Please ensure you check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process. If you are shortlisted you will be contacted by email and text message (if you provide a mobile contact number).
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