Play Co-Ordinator

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust; Burton upon Trent; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 23,000; Part time

Job summary

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust in Burton upon Trent is recruiting a Play Co-Ordinator for the Paediatric team at Queens Hospital Burton. The role focuses on providing age-appropriate therapeutic play for patients aged 0-16 on Ward 1, supporting families, and promoting normal development through engaging activities and distraction techniques.

You will join the hospital Play Specialist group, plan daily bedside or ward activities, collaborate with the

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working with children and young people.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Awareness of NAHPS guidelines for professional practice.

Responsibilities

• Provide play and activities for patients 0-16 in ward environment.
• Work with Play Programmes of care under supervision.
• Plan daily activities by bedside/ward area; promote normal development.

Skills

Play skills

Group work with children

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Child Development or NNEB

Job description

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

Play Co-Ordinator

The closing date is 20 October 2026

An opportunity is available for a Hospital Play Worker working within the Paediatric team based at Queens Hospital Burton.

The position of Hospital Play Worker is for Ward 1 a general medical and surgical ward supporting patients age 0-16 years.

We are looking for a fun individual with compassion and an inspiring attitude to support patients and their families through their hospital journey.

Creating a child and young person focused environment you will be responsible for encouraging and organising age related therapeutic and normalising play and for the use of distraction.

The post is a 22.5 hour contract covering a seven-day service.

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Play specialist team to provide play and recreational needs of individual children of any age in hospital by providing a safe environment and appropriate materials. Promoting normal development of children by using play as a development aid.

• To provide play and activities for patients 0-16 in a ward environment
• Under the supervision of the Hospital Play Specialist work with set Play Programmes of care.
• Plan daily activities by the bedside/play area/department
• Promoting normal development for children and young people
• Support the needs of the patient and their families under stress and in a crisis
• Celebrate all year-round calendar events
• Maintain a safe environment, use of appropriate materials, work in association with guidelines for Infection Control and Health and Safety
• To respect the individual, values, cultural and diversity, contribute to ensuring the provision of the service is sensitive to these needs
• Work with the Multi-disciplinary team to enhance the patient journey. Understands the importance of teamwork.
• Demonstrate good communication both verbal and written. This includes patients the families along with the nursing team.

Closing date of applications: 20th October 2026

Interview date: 03rd November 2026

About us

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

• Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
• On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
• Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

• We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
• We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England - an average of 2077 per week.
• An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day - 3rd largest in the country.
• Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
• Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
• We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
• We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
• UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Person Specification

Experience & Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience working with children and young people
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of child development
• To be able to demonstrate awareness of NAHPS (National Association of Hospital Play Specialists) guidelines for professional practice

Education, Training and Qualifications CPD Requirements

• NVQ Level 3 or above in Child Development or NNEB

Skills And Ability

• Demonstrable evidence of play skills
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of children

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

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust