Health Play Assistant

VerseOne Group; Basildon; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Health Play Assistant to support babies, children and young people with developmentally appropriate play within a hospital setting.

You will work as part of the Health Play Specialist team, delivering group and one-to-one sessions, supporting families and promoting inclusive play throughout the hospital journey.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3, CACHE Level 3, BTEC Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Childcare, Early Years, Play work, Health and Social Care or a related subject.
• GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide access to developmental play, recreation and leisure activities for babies, children and young people, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion whilst supporting their emotional, social and developmental needs.
• Use knowledge of child development when selecting appropriate play, recreation and leisure activities for babies, children and young people.
• Have an understanding of the adaptations required for babies, children and young people with additional needs to fulfil their right to play and recreational activities.
• Promote and support the development of babies, children and young people.
• Undertake assessments of babies, children and young people based on observations during play and activity sessions.
• Deliver stimulating, supportive and developmentally appropriate play through one-to-one and group play sessions.
• Provide individual play and activity sessions for isolated or long-term patients.
• Promote the social development of babies, children and young people through group activities.
• Deliver simple preparation and distraction interventions to support babies, children and young people undergoing procedures, under the supervision of a qualified Health Play Specialist.
• Provide a safe environment for babies, children and young people to play and relax in by maintaining play areas, restocking resources, and ensuring toys and equipment are clean, safe and in good repair.

Education

NVQ Level 3 / CACHE Level 3 / BTEC Level 3 or equivalent in Childcare, Early Years, Play work, Health and Social Care

GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4+) or equivalent

Job description

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Health Play Assistant

The closing date is 28 October 2026

As part of the Health Play Specialist team, you will use your knowledge and experience of child development to deliver play, recreation and leisure activities tailored to each baby, child and young person's individual needs. You will work as a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary team, supporting babies, children, young people and their families throughout their hospital journey. You will help provide a positive, safe and welcoming environment that promotes positive experiences for babies, children, young people and their families.

Main duties of the job

• Provide access to developmental play, recreation and leisure activities for babies, children and young people, promoting equality, diversity and inclusion whilst supporting their emotional, social and developmental needs.
• Use knowledge of child development when selecting appropriate play, recreation and leisure activities for babies, children and young people.
• Have an understanding of the adaptations required for babies, children and young people with additional needs to fulfil their right to play and recreational activities.
• Promote and support the development of babies, children and young people.
• Undertake assessments of babies, children and young people based on observations during play and activity sessions.
• Deliver stimulating, supportive and developmentally appropriate play through one-to-one and group play sessions.
• Provide individual play and activity sessions for isolated or long-term patients.
• Promote the social development of babies, children and young people through group activities.
• Deliver simple preparation and distraction interventions to support babies, children and young people undergoing procedures, under the supervision of a qualified Health Play Specialist.
• Provide a safe environment for babies, children and young people to play and relax in by maintaining play areas, restocking resources, and ensuring toys and equipment are clean, safe and in good repair.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Job responsibilities

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a suitable number of applications.

Unfortunately, there is no Visa Sponsorship available for this role. Whilst we are able to employ candidates on a graduate Visa, we are unable to offer sponsorship once the graduate visa expires.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3, CACHE Level 3, BTEC Level 3 or equivalent qualification in Childcare, Early Years, Play work, Health and Social Care or a related subject.
• GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.

Experience

• Experience of working with babies, children and young people in a childcare, educational, community or healthcare setting.
• Experience of working with babies, children and young people with additional needs, including those who may present with behaviours that challenge.
• Experience of planning and delivering developmentally appropriate play and recreational activities.

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.

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust