Play Specialist/Leader

NHS; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in York is seeking a committed Play Specialist/Leader to support children aged 0-18 within a multidisciplinary team. This role involves delivering therapeutic play, assisting with emotional support to families, and ensuring a child-centered environment. Candidates should have a Foundation Degree in childcare or education, along with 2 years of relevant experience, particularly in pediatric settings. Flexibility is necessary as the service operates across various schedules, making a commitment to the Trust's values essential.

Benefits

Access to NHS Pension Scheme

27 days holiday rising to 33 days

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• 2 years' experience in childcare settings.
• Planning and implementing activities for children.
• Familiarity with SEND and safeguarding protocols.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality therapeutic play to children aged 0-18.
• Support children with additional health needs.
• Provide emotional support to families.

Skills

Good communication skills

Knowledge of child development

Ability to work independently and within a team

Education

Foundation Degree in childcare/education/health

Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism

Job description

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Play Specialist/Leader

Closing date is 06 January 2026

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.

Main duties of the job

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.

About us

To find out more about what it is like to work for our Trust please visit the following link:

https://yorkhospitals.pagetiger.com/hdjgxd

Our benefits

We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:

• 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

Job description

Job responsibilities

A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.

Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.

Working for the Trust

Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co‑developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.

Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact:[e-mail].

As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.

Armed Forces Friendly Employer

We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE – Supporting Britains Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.

Person Specification

Education

Essential

• Foundation Degree in childcare/education/health
• Evidence of continued professional development

Desirable

• Up to date: Child Protection, First Aid, Food Safety, Inclusion training/awareness safeguarding
• Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism

Experience

Essential

• 2 years' experience of previous employed role within childcare
• Planning and implementing activities
• Experience with children with additional health needs and behaviours
• Awareness of protocols and procedures, i:e risk assessments, cleaning policies

Desirable

• Work experience of the children's learning journey
• Work within an hospital setting
• Experience with young adults

Skills

Essential

• Have a strong awareness of developmental needs and requirements
• Good communication skills including written Computer Literate
• Knowledge of the EYFS, SEND and Ofsted Statutory requirements
• Knowledge of child development
• Able to meet the care needs of the child and their parent/carers
• Able to work independently, within a team, in partnership with parents and other professionals.

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

Employer name

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

York Hospital

Wigginton Road

York

YO31 8HE

Employer's website

https://www.yorkhospitals.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)