Play Specialist/Leader

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK healthcare provider is seeking a dedicated Play Specialist to join the Child Health team. This role involves delivering therapeutic play to children aged 0-18, providing emotional support to families, and working within a multidisciplinary team. Flexibility is needed to work a 365-day service. Key benefits include NHS Pension Scheme access, generous holiday entitlement, and a variety of learning opportunities. This position requires compassion and a commitment to children's wellbeing.

Benefits

NHS Pension Scheme

27 days holiday rising to 33 days

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development opportunities

Discounts on various services

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering therapeutic play to children and young people aged 0-18.
• Ability to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
• Flexibility to work across a 365-day service.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality therapeutic play to children in a hospital setting.
• Provide emotional support to families during difficult times.
• Help prepare patients for medical procedures and alleviate anxiety.

Skills

Therapeutic and developmental play

Emotional support

Child-centred care

Communication skills

Job description

Play Specialist – Responsibilities

We are recruiting a committed Play Specialist to join our Child Health team on Ward 17/18 and the Children's Day Unit. This Band 4 role involves delivering high-quality therapeutic and developmental play to children and young people aged 0‑18, supporting children with SEND, preparing patients for procedures, delivering distraction techniques, and contributing to a safe, child-centred environment. Working within a multidisciplinary team, the post holder will offer emotional support to families, assist with safeguarding activity, and help maintain high standards of care. Flexibility is required to work across a 365‑day service between 7am and 8pm. A commitment to the Trust's values and ongoing service development is essential. The main duties of the role will be to ensure the best care is provided to all patients within their care, not only for them but their families too, whilst maintaining a professional demeanour. You will advocate for the family, ensuring their needs are met to the best possible standard they require. This will involve providing care and support emotionally through listening and understanding and physically by providing resources appropriate to their needs and abilities. The role will include working closely with patients and families to ensure stress and anxiety is alleviated, this is done through preparing and distracting for procedures/interventions. You will be calm, approachable and caring with the enthusiasm to go above and beyond to make a families stay as pleasant as possible. Please refer to the person specification and job description for additional responsibilities beyond the main duties
To find out more about what it is like to work for our Trust please visit the following link

Benefits

• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
• 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
• A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
• Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
• NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
• An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
• Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers