Senior Play Specialist

HCA Healthcare UK; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK seeks a Senior Play Specialist at The Portland Hospital in London. This role involves devising play programmes for children, mentoring team members, and ensuring effective therapeutic interventions. Candidates must have relevant qualifications and experience working in healthcare settings. The position offers competitive salary and generous benefits including private healthcare and pension contributions.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare Insurance

Private pension contributions

Season Ticket Loan

Cycle to Work scheme

Group Life Assurance

Critical illness cover

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay

Staff discounts at major retailers

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years' experience in a hospital setting.
• Knowledge of evidence-based therapeutic play for ages 0-17.
• Registered with HPSET.

Responsibilities

• Undertake therapeutic assessments and devise play programmes.
• Monitor and evaluate therapeutic interventions.
• Act as a mentor to Play Specialists.

Skills

Therapeutic play knowledge

Working with children in a hospital

Mentoring

Education

Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism

Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children

Job description

Overview

Role: Senior Play Specialist
Site: The Portland Hospital for Women & Children-London
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Competitive + Benefits (pension, health cover, flexible benefits and excellent career development)

Posted 24 Sep 2025 | Closes 24 Oct 2025

Job Description

We\'re looking for a Senior Paediatric Play Specialist to join our inpatient team at The Portland Hospital, currently rated "Good" by the CQC. The Portland Hospital is the only independent hospital in the UK entirely dedicated to women and children. Our inpatient and outpatient specialties reflect this, providing clinical expertise in Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Women\'s Health.

As a Senior Play Specialist you will undertake therapeutic assessments and devise play programmes for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan. You will monitor, evaluate and modify therapeutic interventions in order to measure child\'s progress and ensure effectiveness of care plan, working in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team to meet the overall care plan for children. You will also act as a mentor to the Play Specialists within the team.

What you\'ll bring

• Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism - Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism OR Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People
• Minimum of 2 years\' experience (post qualification) of working with children/young people in a hospital environment
• Knowledge of current best evidence-based practice of therapeutic play for ages 0 - 17
• Registered with HPSET

Why HCA UK?

Originally founded over 50 years ago by Dr Thomas Frist, HCA has grown to be one of the world\'s leading healthcare providers. In the UK, we are one of the largest providers of privately funded healthcare and have invested in the latest treatments, technology, techniques, medication and facilities. We offer opportunities for career progression through internal and external courses, and we prioritise both your mental and physical wellbeing.

We believe that by caring for our employees, we empower them to provide exceptional care for our patients. We offer a host of flexible benefits to reflect their invaluable contribution. As a Senior Play Specialist at The Portland Hospital you\'ll be eligible for:

• 25 days holiday each year (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with option to buy or sell leave
• Private Healthcare Insurance for treatment at our leading hospitals
• Private pension contribution which increases with length of service
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work scheme
• Group Life Assurance from day one
• Critical illness cover
• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• Corporate staff discount for all facilities including Maternity packages at The Portland
• Comprehensive range of flexible health, protection and lifestyle benefits
• Discounts with over 800 major retailers

Equality & Inclusion

HCA Healthcare UK is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering a culture that embraces diverse perspectives and promotes our values across the organisation. You will be expected to uphold and demonstrate our core values, including inclusion, empathy, kindness and excellence.

Reasonable Adjustments

We are a Disability Confident employer and are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements and reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.

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