Hospital Play Worker

NHS; Tooting; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospital trust is seeking a Hospital Play Worker to enhance the hospital experience for children and young people. This role involves using play to support emotional wellbeing, preparing resources, and helping children adjust to hospital life. Applicants should have a Level 3 qualification in Childcare or equivalent and experience in handling play activities tailored to children. Join a dedicated team committed to making a difference in children's lives during their hospital visits.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children and young people and their families.
• Experience organizing and leading play activities.
• Experience of working with children from 0-18 years within a hospital setting.

Responsibilities

• Create an environment where play occurs naturally.
• Assist in delivering play sessions that meet children's needs.
• Help reduce anxiety through appropriate play.

Skills

Strong communication skills with children, families and staff

Ability to plan and deliver play activities for different age groups

Basic knowledge of child development in a hospital setting

Awareness of safeguarding procedures

Ability to manage emotional and physical demands

Education

Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Early Years or equivalent

Level 2 in literacy and numeracy

Job description

Go back St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Hospital Play Worker

The closing date is 08 December 2025

Are you passionate about using play to make a difference in children's lives during their hospital journey? Do you have the creativity, empathy and energy to turn a hospital environment into a place of comfort, fun and recovery? If so, we would love you to join our dedicated team as a Hospital Play Worker at St George's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Working as part of the Play Team, supported by the Paediatric Psychological Therapies Team, you will help ensure that children and young people receive care that meets not only their physical but also their emotional and developmental needs. The role involves preparing and maintaining resources for children and families, using therapeutic play, and helping to reduce anxiety and distress during their hospital stay. If you are motivated, kind, and committed to improving the hospital experience for children and families, we would love to hear from you!

Main duties of the job

• To create an environment in which play occurs naturally at all times.
• To create an attractive, child-orientated environment including the child/young persons own work.
• To encourage play to maintain the child/young person's link with family and home and to help the child/young person to adjust to the hospital situation.
• To provide appropriate play for normal growth (social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development) and to continue during hospitalisation, using knowledge of child development.
• To help familiarise the child/young person with strange apparatus and procedures to reduce stress and anxiety and to help the child/young person to understand his/her treatment illness.
• To take on individual referrals for children/young people experiencing difficulty in managing hospital admission/procedures, using evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic interventions.
• To prioritise own caseload in accordance with the individual/service needs of the play team under the supervision of the Lead Healthcare Play Specialist.
• To support children/young people using distraction therapy before, during and following painful or unpleasant treatment/procedures.
• To be involved in the organisation and delivery of the play component of pre‑admission programmes.

About us

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest teaching hospitals and a major tertiary centre, providing specialist care for children and young people across South West London and beyond.

In partnership with St George's, University of London, the Trust is committed to providing outstanding patient care, education and research.

The Play Team is a service consisting of 7 qualified staff and is managed by the Paediatric Psychological Therapies Service. Together these services offer holistic support to children, young people and their families to reduce distress and trauma and promote emotional wellbeing and recovery during their hospital experience.

Job responsibilities

Meet the play, emotional and developmental needs of babies, children and young people attending the hospital. Plan, deliver and evaluate individual and group play sessions that meet the child's age, needs and circumstances. Maintain a welcoming, safe and stimulating play environment in all areas where children and young people are cared for. Communicate sensitively and effectively with children, families and the multidisciplinary team. Provide age‑appropriate explanations of hospital procedures to children and families using play and creative resources. Ensure play equipment and resources are safe, clean and appropriate to the developmental needs of children. Promote awareness among hospital staff of the importance and value of play in supporting emotional wellbeing and recovery. Assist in the supervision of students and volunteers where appropriate.

Communication

Establish and maintain open, sensitive communication with children, young people, families, and the multidisciplinary team. Demonstrate empathy, understanding and respect for the diverse backgrounds and experiences of families. Work collaboratively to support effective care delivery and promote a positive patient and family experience.

Environment and Equipment

Maintain a safe and clean play environment in line with infection prevention and control standards. Select and manage play resources appropriately, ensuring they meet the needs of the service and are regularly checked for safety.

Education and Development

Participate in team meetings and training sessions to develop knowledge and skills in hospital play, child development and safeguarding. Support the wider team in promoting understanding of play's therapeutic and developmental role in hospital care. Participate in Trust appraisal and supervision processes and maintain continuing professional development (CPD).

General Duties

Undertake any additional duties reasonably required by the Senior Play Specialist or Ward Managers. Comply with all Trust policies, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and health and safety requirements. Promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in all areas of work.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Level 3 qualification in Childcare, Early Years or equivalent.
• Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) in literacy and numeracy.
• Additional training in hospital play or healthcare support.

Experience

• Experience working with children and young people and their families.
• Experience organising and leading play activities.
• Experience of working with children from 0-18 years within a hospital setting.
• Experience working as part of a team.
• Guided imagery training.
• Makaton training.

skills

• Ability to manage emotional and physical demands, including distressing situations.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills with children, families and staff.
• Ability to plan and deliver play activities for different age groups.
• Basic knowledge of child development in a hospital setting.
• Good understanding of child development.
• Reliable, organised and flexible approach to work.
• Awareness of safeguarding procedures.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Awareness of trauma‑informed or therapeutic play approaches.

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

St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Salary

£30,546 to £32,207 a year pro‑annum pro‑rata incl HCAS (inner)