We are proud to provide 'Outstanding' care and be a great place to work. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust provides safe, compassionate and high quality hospital and community care to the half a million people living in East Sussex and those who visit our local area. We are one of the largest organisations in East Sussex with an annual income of £700 million and we are the only integrated provider of acute and community care in Sussex. Our extensive health services are provided by over 8,000 dedicated members of staff working from two acute hospitals in Hastings and Eastbourne, three community hospitals in Bexhill, Rye and Uckfield, over 100 community sites across East Sussex, and in people's own homes. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated us as 'Good' overall, and 'Outstanding' for being Caring and Effective. The Conquest Hospital in Hastings and our Community Services were rated 'Outstanding' and Eastbourne DGH was rated 'Good' Our two acute hospitals have Emergency Departments and provide 24 hour a day care, offering a comprehensive range of surgical, medical, outpatient and maternity services, supported by a full range of diagnostic and therapy services. Job overview The Play Specialist supports the emotional wellbeing and development of children and young people admitted to the acute paediatric ward by providing developmentally appropriate play and activities. The role focuses on helping children cope with hospitalisation, promoting normalisation, and supporting positive healthcare experiences in line with the NHS Play Well Toolkit. The Play Specialist works as a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, providing high-quality therapeutic play, preparation, and distraction to support children and young people. Play Specialists use developmentally appropriate play to support children from infancy through adolescence, ensuring care is child-centred, inclusive, and tailored to individual needs. They work closely with families, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to enhance the overall patient experience and contribute to positive clinical outcomes. Main duties of the job Provide therapeutic and developmentally appropriate play to support children's psychological, emotional and developmental needs during hospital admission and treatment, in line with Play Well standards for health play services. Use play to prepare, support and distract children before, during and after clinical procedures, helping reduce anxiety and potential trauma. Create and maintain safe, child-friendly environments that support normalisation, choice and autonomy for children and young people. Advocate for the child's voice and preferences within the clinical setting, ensuring their needs and views inform care planning and delivery. Work collaboratively with families and the multidisciplinary team to enhance child-centred care and integrate therapeutic play into overall treatment plans. Observe, record and communicate children's responses, behaviour and coping strategies to inform ongoing care and service quality. Support inclusive play by attending to diverse needs (age, developmental stage, cultural background, communication needs) and using resources appropriately. Maintain accurate documentation, uphold health and safety, infection prevention and safeguarding policies, and ensure play equipment is clean and appropriate for purpose. Working for our organisation A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation. In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year. There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today. Statement on the Use of AI We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective. Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application. We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success. Detailed job description and main responsibilities Please refer to the job description attached. If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us. Person specification Qualifications / Training Essential criteria Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Children Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or similar Current registration with HPSET (Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust) Desirable criteria Hospital Play Specialist Qualification Evidence of healthcare related training Membership of professional body eg. NAHPS Experience Essential criteria Experience with working with children and young people in a hospital or healthcare setting Desirable criteria Experience working with children with additional/complex needs Skills / Knowledge / Abilities Essential criteria Knowledge and understanding of child development Able to plan preparative, distraction and post procedural play Effective communicator with good written and spoken English Desirable criteria Able to use own initiative Able to remain calm in emergency situation other Essential criteria Maintain professional image Desirable criteria Flexibility in working shifts as well as in different environments Patients come first at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. Our vision is to be: The healthcare provider of first choice for the people of East Sussex. Our mission is to: Deliver better health outcomes and an excellent experience for everyone we provide with healthcare services. Our strategic objectives are to: Improve quality and clinical outcomes by ensuring that safe patient care is our highest priority. Play a leading role in local partnerships to meet the needs of our local population and improve and enhance patients' experiences. Use our resources efficiently and effectively for the benefit of our patients and their care to ensure our services are clinically, operationally and financially sustainable. Our aims are that all services delivered by the Trust are: Safe Effective Caring Responsive and Well led Employer certification / accreditation badges