Play Worker - Haemodialysis

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Play Worker for the Haemodialysis unit to support children and young people during lengthy treatments. The role involves planning age-appropriate play and providing a welcoming environment to promote normal development and family wellbeing.

You will work closely with the Haemodialysis and Renal Unit, assess needs, and help reduce anxiety by offering meaningful activities and distraction during procedures.

Qualifications

• Excellent concentration and observation skills.
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate age-appropriate play, recreational and leisure activities for individual children and young people, as well as groups, according to their plan of care.
• Collaborate with the Haemodialysis and Renal Unit to assess, plan, implement, record and evaluate a flexible programme of activities that promotes development and reduces anxiety.

Skills

Concentration and observation

Interpersonal skills

Motivation and enthusiasm

Education

NVQ level 3 in Child Health & Social Care or equivalent

5 GCSEs A-C including English and Maths

MECC training or willingness to undertake

Tools

Basic IT skills

Job description

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Play Worker - Haemodialysis

The closing date is 12 November 2026

This role will involve working collaboratively with the Haemodialysis and Renal Unit to meet the play, recreational and leisure needs of children and young people receiving haemodialysis. The post holder will create a positive, compassionate environment through play, facilitating age-appropriate activities that promote normal development, provide distraction during lengthy treatments, support emotional wellbeing and enhance the overall experience of patients and their families.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will facilitate age-appropriate play, recreational and leisure activities for individual children and young people, as well as groups, according to their individual needs and agreed plan of care. Working collaboratively with the Haemodialysis and Renal Unit, they will assess, plan, implement, record and evaluate a flexible programme of activities that promotes normal development, provides meaningful distraction during lengthy treatments, supports emotional wellbeing and helps reduce anxiety and fear. The post holder will create a safe, caring and welcoming environment for children, young people and their families, communicating effectively and sensitively with families and members of the multidisciplinary team. They will recognise when children and young people require additional support or have difficulty understanding their treatment or procedures and ensure timely referral to appropriate services, including the Specialist Play and Youth Service, ward Buddies or Health in Mind.

The Trust is committed to inclusive recruitment. Please note, visa sponsorship is only available for certain roles in line with current UKVI regulations. Unfortunately, this role is not eligible for sponsorship. If you would like more information, please visit: UK Visas and Immigration - GOV.UK

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 neo-natal 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 offering a full range of gynaecological, maternity and neonatal care.

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.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification to view the full details for this opportunity at Birmingham Womens and Childrens NHS Foundation Trust.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• NVQ level 3 in Child Health and Social Care or equivalent
• 5 GCSE's A-C grade including English and Maths
• 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 years
• Knowledge of the importance of play and how development can affect this
• Knowledge of development
• Knowledge of issues relating to consent and confidentiality
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding and cultural and diversity awareness
• Knowledge/experience working with children/young people with additional needs - Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Learning Disability

Analytical and Judgement Skills

• Excellent concentration and observation skills
• Enthusiastic and self-motivated
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Professional/Managerial/Specialist Knowledge

• Ability to meet the play and recreation needs of individuals and groups of children/young people and their families
• Basic IT skills or be prepared to undertake training identified by the Trust
• To be professional and non-judgmental
• Knowledge of Child Development and Play in children/young people aged 0-19 years
• Awareness of the needs of the hospitalised child/young person and family
• Experience of working with children/young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviour
• Good understanding of Health & Safety issues relating to children/young people and Play
• Enthusiastic in all aspects of professional and personal development

Personal Skills/Abilities and Attributes

• Able to work as part of a team
• Able to liaise with professionals at all levels
• Able to seek and act upon advice
• Have resilience to work with sick and terminally ill children/young people
• To have stamina to work with children and young people
• Able to evaluate and reflect on own practice

Other Requirements

• Demonstrate alignment with the values and beliefs of the Trust
• Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of equality and inclusion in the delivery of this role
• Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required

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

Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Birmingham Children's Hospital, Renal Unit

Birmingham Children's Hospital, Renal Unit