Senior Play Specialist

Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust; Kingston; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 5 Play Specialist to provide therapeutic play across paediatric wards and ED. You will support children from birth to 18 years, rotate between wards and outpatient clinics, and build trusted relationships with families throughout their hospital journey.

You will mentor junior staff, contribute to service improvements and manage your own caseload with increasing independence within a supportive team.

Qualifications

• Recognised Health Play Specialist qualification and ongoing professional registration.
• Experience working with children and young people in healthcare settings.
• Experience supporting children with SEND and adapting play to diverse needs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver therapeutic play interventions across wards and ED.
• Manage an independent caseload and triage referrals.
• Provide mentorship to Band 4 Play Specialists, trainees and students on placement.
• Contribute to training and awareness sessions for MDT on emotional and developmental needs of children.
• Support families experiencing anxiety or longer-term treatment.
• Create inclusive, age-appropriate play environments and resources.
• Maintain documentation and participate in audits and quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Therapeutic play

Mentoring

Education

Health Play Specialist qualification

SoHPS registration

Job description

As a Band 5 Play Specialist at Kingston Hospital, you’ll step into a role with real breadth and variety — from fast-paced shifts in our Emergency Department (ED) to providing longer-term support for children receiving oncology care or attending specialist clinics.

You’ll rotate between our paediatric wards and ED, working with babies, children and young people from just a few days old up to 18. Some days you’ll be supporting planned admissions and outpatient pathways; other days you’ll be in ED where things move quickly and you need to think on your feet. The pace changes, the setting changes, and no two days are the same.

You’ll also play an important role supporting children undergoing oncology and longer-term treatment. In this area you’ll work closely with families during more complex and emotional parts of their hospital journey, building trusted relationships and becoming a familiar, reassuring face for those who visit regularly.

Alongside ward and ED work, you’ll support a wide range of outpatient clinics including phlebotomy, dermatology, asthma, dental, orthopaedics, ENT and day surgery, giving you broad experience across our paediatric services.

As part of our small, friendly play team, you’ll also have the opportunity to take on additional responsibility — mentoring students and junior colleagues, contributing to service improvements and managing your own caseload with increasing independence.

Our service spans a 24-bed inpatient ward, two HDU beds, the Physical Assessment Unit and outpatient clinics, offering plenty of variety. You’ll develop specialist skills, gain experience across different clinical settings and build a strong foundation for future progression.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver therapeutic play interventions for children and young people across wards and ED, including preparation, distraction and post-procedural support.
• Manage an independent caseload, prioritising referrals and adapting approaches based on clinical need.
• Provide mentorship and informal supervision to Band 4 Play Specialists, trainees and students on placement.
• Contribute to training and awareness sessions for the MDT to promote the emotional and developmental needs of children in hospital.
• Support children and families experiencing anxiety, crisis or longer-term treatment.
• Create and maintain inclusive, age-appropriate play environments and resources.
• Maintain accurate documentation and activity data in line with professional and Trust standards.
• Participate in audits, service evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
• Monitor, select and order play resources, ensuring infection control and safety standards are met.
• Contribute to safeguarding assessments and holistic care planning.
• Work collaboratively with the MDT while also being confident working independently and making informed decisions.

Our play service is supported by Momentum and Kingston Hospital Charity, which allows us to go beyond the basics. We have a bright, purpose-built playroom that opens onto a garden — somewhere children can get fresh air, reset and feel a bit more like themselves.

We’re also able to bring things onto the ward that children wouldn’t usually expect in hospital — from visits by Chelsea Football Club and therapy animals (including owls and ponies), to entertainers, puppet sessions, bake sales and toy events. You’ll be encouraged to bring ideas, take initiative and help shape these experiences as part of a creative and supportive team.

What skills/ qualifications do you need?

• A recognised Health Play Specialist qualification.
• Up-to-date registration with the Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS).
• Post-qualification experience working with children and young people in a healthcare setting
• Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, and confidence adapting play, communication and preparation to meet different needs.

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Hind Thomas Job title: Senior Sister Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 020 8546 7711

020 8546 7711 x2417