Playleaders are key members of the Zoes Place team, working with nurses, Healthcare Assistants, fundraising staff, play specialists, and outside agencies. The play leader will develop age-appropriate play plans for children with complex care needs, contributing to the holistic care of the children we support. Within the care team, the postholder will promote awareness of the emotional needs of children and the importance of play, working in partnership with parents, siblings, carers, and care staff, and encouraging positive play experiences. The postholder will ensure that all care and interactions are of the highest standards.
Main duties of the job
1. Establish and maintain effective communication with children, families, and professionals across health and social care services.
2. Ensure that all children receive appropriate play and stimulation related to their emotional/developmental needs. Organise and facilitate said play with support.
3. Devise individualised play plans for children.
4. Create individual developmental and play assessments for every child, adjusting when the child's needs have changed, with support.
5. Ensure that individual children's care plans are followed to the highest standards.
6. Provide psycho-social, emotional, and physical care and support to children and families.
7. Create a warm, welcoming, caring, and safe environment, which is child-friendly.
8. Support families and siblings under stress and in crisis through play, demonstrating commitment to family-centred care.
9. Inform, educate, support, and advise families about the role of play.
10. Normalise the hospice environment to replicate activities that can be done in other settings.
11. Advocate for the child and family, recognising challenges and supporting decisions and choices.
12. Arrange trips and activities for children in line with Zoes Place Patient outings and transport policy and Sibling outings and activities policy.
13. Create opportunities for legacy building (memory-making) for families by providing options and resources.
About us
Zoes Place Baby Hospice supports babies and young children with complex illnesses or disabilities from birth to age five. We work to ensure that very unwell children can enjoy the best possible quality of life and support their families throughout their journey.
Zoe's Place offers respite, palliative, and end-of-life care for children, as well as support for the whole family. With a range of play therapies and fun activities, our team of specialists works together to make every moment of childhood count.
Job responsibilities
Playleaders are key members of the Zoes Place team, working with nurses, Healthcare Assistants, fundraising staff, play specialists, and outside agencies. The play leader will develop age-appropriate play plans for children with complex care needs, contributing to the holistic care of the children we support. Within the care team, the postholder will promote awareness of the emotional needs of children and the importance of play, working in partnership with parents, siblings, carers, and care staff, and encouraging positive play experiences. The postholder will ensure that all care and interactions are of the highest standards.
Person Specification
Skills and Attributes
* Excellent communication skills with adults and children with complex care needs
* Enthusiastic and motivated with a good conscientious attitude
* Flexibility to meet service demand
* Problem-solving and decision-making skills
* Ability to work within a team setting
* Ability to work autonomously
* Able to plan, implement, and evaluate play programmes
* Basic IT skills
* Excellent use of the English language demonstrated through effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills
Experience
* Experience of working with children who have complex needs
* Play therapy within a school, hospital, or hospice environment
* Experience of bereavement support within a healthcare setting
Qualifications
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Depending on experience, salary ranges from £24,762 to £27,277.
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