Senior Health Play Specialist (Band 5)
Closing date: 10 June 2026
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
The Children and Young Adults' Research Unit is seeking a qualified and registered Senior Health Play Specialist (Band 5) to join the Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service within the Acute Child Health Directorate at Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales. The post holder will contribute to the delivery and development of therapeutic play interventions that support the emotional wellbeing, engagement and participation of children and young people in clinical care and research activity across the hospital.
Working with the multidisciplinary team, the role will support service improvement and innovation in using therapeutic play to enhance children's experiences of healthcare and research.
The post holder must be registered with the Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS) and have substantial experience working with children and young people aged 0–16 in either acute hospital or community settings. Welsh language skills are desirable, though applications from both Welsh and English speakers are welcome.
This is a fixed-term position for 18 months due to funding.
Main duties of the job
* Deliver an accessible and inclusive Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service for babies, children and young people (BCYP) attending Noah's Ark Children's Hospital for Wales.
* Using specialist knowledge and clinical skills, assess individual need and prioritise appropriate therapeutic play interventions, including preparation, distraction and emotional support, to improve children's experiences of healthcare, clinical procedures and participation in research activity.
* Support the effective operation and development of the Play Service in collaboration with the Play Services Manager, contributing to service improvement, optimisation of care pathways and enhancement of patient and family experience.
* Support research and innovation activities within the Children and Young Adults' Research Unit, collaborating with Cardiff University's CUBRIC centre through the BATRI grant, ensuring children and families are supported to engage in research in an age‑appropriate and evidence‑based way.
* Provide leadership and act as a role model for junior staff, sharing good practice while managing and delegating referrals for BCYP with complex presentations.
Person Specification
Qualification
* HPSET qualified and registered with substantial experience working in an acute hospital setting or community setting.
* Knowledge and understanding of the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Standards.
* NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA).
* Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Maths (GCSE Grade A* – C).
* Management and Leadership qualification/training/modules.
* Mentoring/coaching training.
* Training in Guided Imagery, Adolescent Development, Teaching adults.
Experience
* Substantial post‑qualifying experience working with BCYP in a healthcare setting, across a variety of clinical areas and/or specialised fields, including individual and group work.
* Knowledge and awareness of the emotional and personal impact of the work and the ability to self‑manage or seek help appropriately.
* Detailed knowledge of current health legislation and SoHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
* Detailed knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance.
* Comprehensive knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions to support BCYP to cope with and understand their healthcare journey.
* Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
* Experience of supervising staff and/or volunteers.
* Experience of working with children having complex health and/or learning disabilities in an appropriate setting.
* Experience leading/managing a team.
* Experience of working on research or innovation.
Skills
* Ability to support the development of others and demonstrate sensitivity towards colleagues.
* Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, utilising time‑management and organisational skills.
* Ability to assess risks and manage risk‑benefit analysis, sharing this information effectively.
* Advanced communication skills to manage difficult conversations and support those with communication difficulties.
* Leadership skills, including reflecting on own practice and supporting the reflection of others.
* Ability to provide appropriate supervision and feedback to enhance the development of others.
* Ability to undertake audit and evaluation processes.
* Demonstrable IT skills, including Excel, Word and creating presentations.
* Ability to understand and adhere to professional boundaries and demonstrate complex thinking.
* Coaching skills.
* Welsh language skills desirable: levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading and writing in Welsh.
Special Knowledge
* Recorded as a registered Health Play Specialist with the Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS).
* Teaching skills/Welsh speaking.
* Recorded as a mentor with SoHPS.
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 to submit a disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Address
Noah's Ark Children's Hospital
University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park
University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park
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