Youth Support Co-ordinator/Senior Health Play Specialist

University College London Hospital; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare trust in Greater London seeks a Youth Support Coordinator to enhance the experiences of children and young people in healthcare settings. This role requires a relevant qualification in youth work or as a Health Play Specialist, alongside extensive experience working with youth. Responsibilities include supporting patients in clinic environments, facilitating activities, and mentoring junior staff. Ideal candidates will display compassion, emotional resilience, and flexibility in working hours, including evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in youth work or registered as a Health Play Specialist.
• Extensive experience with children and young people in healthcare or social settings.
• Ability to use therapeutic techniques creatively.

Responsibilities

• Support patients during clinics to reduce anxiety.
• Create and maintain a child-friendly environment.
• Facilitate group activities and individual therapeutic sessions.
• Supervise junior staff and mentor students.
• Develop skills in organizing staff rotas.

Skills

Compassion

Emotional resilience

Ability to engage with children

Teamwork

Education

Relevant qualification in youth work

Health Play Specialist qualification

Job description

A Vacancy at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen at UCLH for a Youth Support Coordinator or registered health play specialist to join a highly respected play and youth services team. To be successful in this role, you will have a relevant qualification in youth work, or be a qualified and registered Health Play Specialist, and you will have extensive experience working with children and/or young people in social or healthcare settings.

We are looking for someone who strives to improve healthcare for BCYP (Children and Young People) through play and activity, who would like an opportunity to work in a supportive and diverse team within the children and young people division. You will be emotionally resilient, with compassion, sensitivity and a sense of humour.

Responsibilities

• Support patients attending clinic and treatment, reducing the anxiety surrounding hospital treatment, admissions and procedures.
• Create and maintain an age‑appropriate environment throughout BCYP areas.
• Facilitate group activities and individual therapeutic sessions with patients.
• Support and supervise junior members of staff and mentor students.
• Develop leadership skills in organising staff rotas, assessing service needs and referrals.
• Work flexible hours between 8‑6, including some evening and weekend work.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in youth work or a qualified and registered Health Play Specialist.
• Extensive experience working with children and young people in a healthcare or social setting.
• Ability to engage easily with children and young people and to work effectively with MDT colleagues, using therapeutic techniques creatively.
• Strong compassion, empathy, emotional resilience and a sense of humour.
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff.
• Commitment to working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

This advert closes on Monday 29 Dec 2025.