Play Worker

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

An NHS Trust focused on women's and children's health is seeking a highly motivated Play Worker for their team. The role involves maintaining a safe play environment, ensuring children have access to recreational activities, and collaborating with nursing staff to support the needs of hospitalized children. Applicants should have relevant qualifications and experience working with children and young people. This is a chance to contribute positively to children's health and well-being during their hospital stay.

Qualifications

• Must possess NVQ level 2 in Child Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• 5 GCSEs A-C including English and Mathematics are required.
• Must have relevant experience in care for children/young people aged 0-19.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe working environment.
• Ensure children have appropriate access to activities during their hospital stay.
• Work collaboratively with the nursing team to meet children's needs.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Knowledge of child development

Flexibility

Education

NVQ level 2 in Child Health and Social Care

5 GCSEs A-C including English and Mathematics

NVQ level 3 in Child Health and Social Care

Job description

Play Worker

The closing date is 19 January 2026.

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic play worker to join our Ward 9 team.

Ward 9 is a purpose‑built 18‑bed ward specialist paediatric surgical ward within Birmingham Children’s Hospital.

To work in collaboration with the nursing team to meet the general, play and recreation needs of children and young people through the provision of activities.

Main duties of the job

• Maintain a safe working environment.
• Maintain toys and equipment, responsible for safe use of toys and equipment – ensuring Trust Infection Control and cleaning policies are adhered to.
• Ensure that all children and young people have appropriate access to general, normalising play, recreation activities and leisure time during their time at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital main site – Steelhouse Lane.
• Ensure play and recreation is inclusive and diverse to all children and young people.
• Work flexibly with departmental and Trust‑wide play and recreation facilitators.
• Use knowledge of child development through to adulthood when selecting play, recreation and leisure activities.
• Have awareness of play and recreation for children/young people who have a physical disability and/or mental health concerns.
• Actively promote health and wellbeing with children, young people and families.
• Proactively engage in the patient experience agenda, actively seeking feedback through a variety of methods and acting appropriately upon feedback.
• Understand the reasonable adjustments required for children/young people with learning disabilities and additional needs – including sourcing safe, appropriate play/recreation and resource activities.

About us

Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust is the first of its type in the UK. Our Trust was formed in February 2017 to drive forward our commitment to provide the highest quality, world‑class physical and mental health care for our women, children and families. Uniting our hospitals means more seamless care; more investment to make greater advances in our specialist treatment and world‑leading neonatal and fetal work. Importantly, it also gives us a greater voice in shaping the future of family‑centred care.

Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a UK leading specialist paediatric centre with an international reputation in several areas. Birmingham Women’s Hospital is one of two dedicated women’s hospitals in the UK, with the busiest single site maternity unit, delivering more than 8,200 babies a year and offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

Forward Thinking Birmingham (FTB) Mental Health Services are a unique, innovative community and inpatient mental health partnership. Alongside partners FTB offers care pathways of mental health assessment and treatment for young people aged 0‑25.

Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We believe in promoting and enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 2 qualification in Child Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• 5 GCSEs A‑C grade or 9‑4 including English and Mathematics.
• NVQ level 3 in Child Health and Social Care or willingness to undertake.
• Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training or willingness to undertake.

Knowledge and Nature of Experience

• Previous relevant experience, especially in the care of children/young people aged 0‑19.
• Knowledge and experience of working with children/young people with additional needs.
• Knowledge of issues relating to consent and confidentiality.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding.
• Knowledge and experience of children/young people with mental health illnesses.

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

• Basic IT skills or be prepared to undertake training identified by the Trust.
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required.

Personal Skills/Abilities and Attributes

• Awareness of the needs of the hospitalised child/young person and family.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety issues relating to children/young people and play.
• Effective written, verbal and non‑verbal communication skills.
• Ability to meet the play and recreation needs of individuals and groups of children/young people and their families.
• Able to liaise with professionals at all levels.
• Experience of working with children/young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviour.

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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Address

Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham, United Kingdom.