Play Assistant - Peterborough

Pacomarine Limited; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Peterborough is seeking a Play Assistant to provide child-focused play and support to children in a hospital setting. The ideal candidate will have NVQ Level Three Childcare, experience working with children, and strong communication skills. This is a full-time position with a fixed-term contract of 12 months, offering a salary between £24,937 and £26,598 annually.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with children/young people.
• Experience of working as a team member.
• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.

Responsibilities

• Cover 7 days a week.
• Maintain play areas and provide activities and resources.

Skills

Enthusiastic, child-friendly

Reliable and trustworthy

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Education

NVQ Level Three Childcare or equivalent

Job description

Job Summary

The Play Team at North West Anglia Trust is expanding and recent developments have led to a stronger focus on providing play as an integral part of care across two sites. Our service provides children and young people from 0-17 years with support and interventions, contributing towards their holistic care and experience. Our aim is to showcase the importance of play to the multidisciplinary team, working towards a healthy recovery for the child and young person.

Main Duties

As a Play Assistant working within our Trust, you will be responsible for providing child‑focused play with an awareness of child development and the emotional needs of a child in hospital, while being motivated and enthusiastic. You will support children on the Amazon Ward, a 30 bedded children ward, as well as children in the Children’s Outpatients, Paediatric Assessment Unit and Day case areas.

About Us

We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in our workforce and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, with a special focus on welcoming individuals from disabled, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, as well as those from our local area. We support employees with a variety of benefits; please see the attached staff benefits leaflet.

Job Details

Date Posted: 13 October 2025

Band: 3

Salary: £24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract: Fixed term, 12 months

Working Pattern: Full‑time

Location: Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ. Cross‑site working at Peterborough or Hinchingbrooke for a 3 month rotation.

Job Responsibilities

• Cover 7 days a week.
• Maintain play areas and provide activities and resources that are developmental and age‑appropriate.

Person Specification

Essential

• NVQ Level Three Childcare or equivalent.
• Experience of working with children/young people.
• Experience of working as a team member.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Enthusiastic, child‑friendly, reliable and trustworthy.

Desirable

• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Experience of working within a hospital setting.
• Experience of working with adolescents and young people.

Key Skills

• Enthusiastic, child‑friendly
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Effective verbal and written communication skills

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 Details

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust

Peterborough City Hospital, Bretton Gate, Peterborough, PE3 9GZ

External Resources

Employer website: https://www.nwangliaft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)