Children's Outpatient Department Family Support Assistant

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust; Elland; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health care provider in the UK is seeking a Paediatric Family Support Assistant for its Children's Outpatient Department. The role involves supporting children with play and distraction techniques to manage their health. Applicants should have experience working with children and families, relevant qualifications, and excellent communication skills. This opportunity offers a competitive salary and the chance to make a meaningful impact on children's care.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children and families who have medical and nursing needs.
• Manage own workload and understand priorities.
• Use IT systems for documentation.

Responsibilities

• Provide play and distraction for children and their families.
• Work as part of the clinical team in outpatient settings.
• Communicate relevant information in a timely manner.
• Attend unit and multidisciplinary team meetings as required.

Skills

Experience working with children

Excellent interpersonal skills

Strong communication skills

Flexible and creative approach

Education

English and Math GCSE grade 9-2 or equivalent

NNEB or Equivalent in Play Related Field

Hospital Play Specialist Qualification

Job description

Children's Outpatient Department Family Support Assistant

Closing date: 24 December 2025.

A really exciting and fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Paediatric Family Support Assistant to join the Children’s Outpatients Department Team. The team supports busy clinic areas across three sites within Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. This dynamic, enthusiastic and creative individual will support children with play, distraction and desensitisation to help them manage their health and medical conditions.

The successful candidate will have experience working in this field of practice and will contribute to enhanced holistic care provided by our children and young people services.

Main duties of the job

• Provide play, distraction and support for children and their families within the Paediatric Outpatient Departments and other paediatric areas within CHFT.
• Work as part of the clinical team in the Children’s Outpatient Department and other paediatric settings.
• Undertake all defined duties required.
• Work independently using own initiative within the level of competency set for this post.
• Ensure patient privacy and dignity are respected at all times.
• Support and reassure patients during clinical procedures or treatment.
• Communicate relevant information in a timely and accurate manner to optimise patient care.
• Promote the professional image of the Trust by maintaining a neat appearance and helpful manner.
• Observe all Trust policies and working practices, particularly regarding confidentiality.
• Attend unit and multidisciplinary team meetings as required.
• Respond to phone queries efficiently and convey messages to the appropriate personnel.

About us

CHFT is an integrated Trust of 6,500+ colleagues providing hospital and community services to patients and communities across Calderdale and Kirklees. Rated 'Good' by the Care Quality Commission, we are a top performing Trust for Elective Recovery, Emergency and Cancer Care, and a national digital lead in caring for people across our local and regional systems.

Our people are at the core of everything we do, underpinned by our commitment to One Culture of Care. We aim to care for and support each other to provide outstanding compassionate care to our patients. We are looking for an inclusive, collaborative, creative, innovative and compassionate leader to join us in this role.

Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING

• English and Math GCSE grade 9-2 (A*-E) or equivalent
• NNEB or Equivalent in Play Related Field
• Hospital Play Specialist Qualification
• Willing to undertake training and skills as required

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & EXPERTISE

• Experience working with children
• Experience of working with children and families who have medical and nursing needs
• Previous experience managing own workload and understanding priorities
• Experience of using IT systems for documentation

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS (INCLUDING MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES)

• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong evidence of communication skills, working with other professions, children and families
• Flexible and creative approach to working to support a large geographic area
• Professional manner and appearance
• Team player
• Car owner/driver or suitable alternative transport to enable undertaking the job (public transport may not meet this requirement). Reasonable adjustments can be considered in accordance with the Equality Act.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and will require a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year, pro rata.

Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust