Play & Youth Service Team Lead
The closing date is 11 May 2026.
A maternity cover has arisen to lead our Play and Youth Services across both our West Middlesex and Chelsea sites with the Therapy Service team at Chelsea & Westminster.
The job involves leading the team, carrying a clinical caseload and working with members of the MDT. The team works across our main Paediatric wards on both sites.
You will be expected to liaise with our charity partners and other stakeholders in order to manage and promote the team.
There is significant scope to learn and improve your leadership skills working with the Paediatric Clinical lead as well as continuing and starting new projects, for example the use of Virtual Reality.
Main duties of the job
* Facilitate a positive climate for children and their facilities in healthcare, assisting with the strategic development of play to ensure delivery of a high quality and responsive service.
* Provide expert advice on all matters related to play for Children's Services, The Trust, plus affiliated health services.
* Take a lead concerning the recruitment of Play Service Staff.
* Provide cross site line management, organisation, leadership and provision of play services supporting children and young people.
* Provide leadership for designated staff through clinical supervision and support/teaching and appraisal.
* Regularly supervise Hospital Play Specialist and degree level students on practice placement.
* Contribute to teaching and research opportunities relevant to play service.
* Maintain a personal clinical case load working as an advanced practitioner in play within the healthcare setting.
* Take responsibility, in liaison with the Clinical & Divisional lead, for the staff non‑pay budget.
* Participate in the planning, development and evaluation of play services within a designated area, holding responsibility for defined projects.
* Work with our charity partners and stakeholders to improve the care of our children and young people.
Job responsibilities
* Manage a caseload of children with complex needs, including issues around child protection; trauma, bereavement and loss; behavioural and emotional difficulties.
* Establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multidisciplinary team in child health and in other departments of the hospital where the children are treated.
* Manage and coordinate the day‑to‑day running of the hospital play programme and team.
* Contribute to the induction, orientation programmes and training of students and new MDT staff.
* Be responsible for organising the non‑stock budget, maintaining stock and coordinating resources to meet the needs of the play service across paediatrics.
* Comply with the NAHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Trust policies.
* Apply specialist skills and knowledge in order to maintain professional competence.
* Work within the Trust’s clinical governance and quality agenda, and monitor practice standards.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications
* Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or Foundation Degree or overseas equivalent.
* Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.
* Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (up to date professional portfolio).
Experience
* Demonstrable post‑registration experience in a range of clinical settings.
* Extensive clinical experience – including individual and group work – with a wide range of children and families in the hospital setting and community.
* Experience of line managing junior staff and students.
* Experience with disability, special needs – including children with challenging behaviour and sick children in specialist areas (e.g. HDU).
Skills and knowledge
* Specialist knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions relevant to patient group and treatment plan.
* Applied knowledge of the current theories of child development, theory and practice of play, psychodynamics and family dynamics.
* Thorough knowledge of cultural needs in the provision of play.
* Applied knowledge of the effects of hospitalization, treatment and long‑term chronic illness on children, young people and their families.
* Understanding of confidentiality with staff, management and practice issues.
* Knowledge of a wide range of relevant medical and surgical terminology.
* Ability to organise self and team in liaison with the Therapy team.
* Ability to manage, mentor, motivate and support junior members of the team in liaison with senior management staff.
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.
Equal Opportunities
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and under‑represented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full‑time
Reference number: 289-CS-371
Job locations: Cross Site – Chelsea & Westminster Hospital / West Middlesex Hospital
Salary: £47,951 to £56,863 a year inclusive of HCAS.
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