Band 4 Paediatric Play Specialist

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust; Sutton Coldfield; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced lead for the play team in the Emergency Department. You will plan and supervise play activities for children aged 0–16, and support families through hospital procedures, drawing on child development theory and play therapies.

The role requires a healthcare play foundation degree, professional body membership, and a track record in paediatric settings with CPD evidence.

Qualifications

• Foundation degree in healthcare play specialism.
• Membership of a professional body is required.
• Experience with children and hospital settings.
• CPD/continuous professional development evidence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the play team, ensuring shared standards and developing staff in practice.
• Co-ordinate planned play activities for children and young people aged 0 to 16, reviewing and developing services with the Paediatric lead.
• Maintain a safe, child-focused environment where play is encouraged for all children attending the Emergency Department
• Guide play support to meet the diverse needs of all children attending the hospital
• Choose play activities using knowledge of child development, considering psychological and emotional needs
• Deliver alternative play therapies for patients undergoing hospital procedures
• Work with the multidisciplinary team, carers and families to promote play during hospital attendance
• Document play interventions in line with Trust record keeping standards
• Report safeguarding and child protection concerns to the nurse in charge
• Seek feedback from patients and families on play services to promote a positive patient experience
• Act as a visible role model for professional behaviour and appearance
• Undertake delegated tasks set by the departmental manager, including health and safety responsibilities

Skills

Child development

Paediatric safeguarding

Code of conduct

Reflective practice

Empathy & communication

Professional development

Education

Foundation degree in healthcare play

Job description

This post leads the play team in the Emergency Department at University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, which covers children and young people aged 0 to 16. The work centres on planning play activities chosen around child development, and using play therapies to help children through hospital procedures. Working alongside the multidisciplinary team and families, the post-holder also works shifts. A healthcare play foundation degree is essential, and membership of a professional body is also required.

What the job involves

• Lead and manage the play team, ensuring shared standards and developing staff in practice
• Co-ordinate planned play activities for children and young people aged 0 to 16, reviewing and developing services with the Paediatric lead
• Maintain a safe, child-focused environment where play is encouraged for all children attending the Emergency Department
• Guide play support to meet the diverse needs of all children attending the hospital
• Choose play activities using knowledge of child development, considering psychological and emotional needs
• Deliver alternative play therapies for patients undergoing hospital procedures
• Work with the multidisciplinary team, carers and families to promote play during hospital attendance
• Document play interventions in line with Trust record keeping standards
• Report safeguarding and child protection concerns to the nurse in charge
• Seek feedback from patients and families on play services to promote a positive patient experience
• Act as a visible role model for professional behaviour and appearance
• Undertake delegated tasks set by the departmental manager, including health and safety responsibilities

What’s required

Qualifications

• Foundation degree in healthcare play specialism

Registration & licences

• Membership of a professional body

Experience

• Experience working with children and young people
• Experience working in a hospital setting
• Experience working with parents and extended families
• Documented evidence of continuing professional development

Skills & knowledge

• Knowledge of child development
• Knowledge of paediatric safeguarding and confidentiality
• Knowledge of the professional code of practice and its application to practice
• Ability to evaluate and reflect on own practice

Other

• Adaptable, approachable, and able to use tact, empathy and discretion
• Enthusiasm for professional and personal development
• Prepared to undertake further training
• Willing to support the development of the service
• Ability to work shifts

Nice to have

• NHS training in paediatric safeguarding
• Training for working with adolescents
• Food hygiene certificate
• Manual handling training
• Experience working as a team member
• Knowledge of clinical governance and consent issues