Paediatric ED Play Specialist

MFT; Manchester; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

The Health Play Specialist role within Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) supports Paeds ED at Wythenshawe Hospital. The post requires a Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Level 4 qualification, with up-to-date HPSET registration.

You will work within the Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service to improve the patient journey and experiences. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team, provide developmental play and distraction therapy, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Level 4 qualification.
• Up-to-date registration with HPSET.

Responsibilities

• Work within the Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service across the ward or department area.
• Complete thorough electronic documentation in patient notes.
• Attend relevant meetings and participate in patient experience initiatives.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team including medical staff, Allied Health Professionals, and support services.
• Take patient referrals from a variety of professionals and coordinate care.

Education

Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism

Level 4 qualification

HPSET registration

Job description

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Main area Therapeutic and Specialised Play Grade NHS AfC: Band 5 Contract Secondment: 12 months Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Weekday, evenings and occasional weekends) Job ref 349-WTWA-8335839C-RL4

Site Wythenshawe Hospital Town Manchester Salary £32,073 - £39,043 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 13/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

A fantastic secondment opportunity has arisen for a Health Play Specialist to work within the Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service at Paeds ED at Wythenshawe Hospital

The applicant must hold the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or the previous Level 4 qualification. Alongside this they will be required to hold an up to date registration with the Health Play Specialist Education Trust.

The post holder will play a valuable role in the care of patients within the hospital, improving the patient journey and experience. They should be proactive, flexible and motivated, being able to work both individually and as part of a team.

Main duties of the job

The Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service is a well established team, working throughout the trust.

We strive for high standards of care and work together to ensure our babies, children and young people have positive experiences whilst in hospital. We encourage personal development with yearly objectives, working task groups and relevant learning opportunities.

Working within our team allows for a valuable support network, scope to work in various hospitals and services throughout the trust and opportunities for sharing best practice.

Techniques such as procedural preparation, distraction/diversional therapy and developmental play will be an integral part of the role. The Health Play Specialist will work with patients within the ward or department area, as well as taking patient referrals from a variety of professionals.

They will be working within a multi-disciplinary team including the medical and clinical staff, Allied Health Professionals, the Youth Service, Specialist Nurses and the Focus Support Team.

The post holder will be expected to complete thorough electronic documentation in patient notes, and attend any relevant meetings.

The Health Play Specialist will be part of organising and taking part in patient experience agendas including events and Public Health initiatives.

Working for our organisation

Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.

Whether you’re beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.
You’ll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.

At MFT, you’ll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.
Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We’ll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

IMPORTANT CANDIDATE INFORMATION

Explore Inside MFT – Your Candidate Place

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters
MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application

Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.
As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?

A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:

Standard DBS : Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.

Enhanced DBS : Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police that’s considered relevant to the role.

Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the children’s and/or adults’ barred lists.

Who Needs a DBS Check

Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.

The Costs for a DBS

At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person specification

Qualifications

• - Professional qualification - HPSET Certificate - (Registered) Health Play Specialism Degree/ Foundation Degree or NVQ Level 4 also NNEB/Btec Diploma in Nursery Nursing or - Btec Diploma in Childcare & Development (relevant childcare qualification NVQ level 3 equivalent )
• - Additional qualifications as well as those in essential: for example - Counselling Certificate - Art therapy - Play work - Youth work - Special needs - Teaching

Knowledge

• - Understanding of developmental, social and psychological needs of children, young people and their families
• - Knowledge of developmental needs from birth to 18 years incorporating all special needs, Cultures and diversities
• - Understanding health & safety issues and confidentiality/data protection
• - Awareness of literature and government legislation relating to children and young people (including child protection, Children’s Act 1989, Human Rights Act, UN Convention ‘The rights of the child’ etc

Experience

• Minimum of three years post qualification working in childcare/youth work setting:
• Experience working with the well child/young person
• - Experience of working with the sick child/young person
• - Hospital experience
• Experience in Psychological - Preparation & Distraction/ Diversional and Participation Therapies
• - Working with Children/young people in intensive settings. (i.e. Burns unit)
• - Community work/ home/ school visits

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.