Paediatric ED Play Assistant | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust; Texas; On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

We are seeking a motivated Play Assistant to join the Paediatric Emergency Department at Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust. The role focuses on age-appropriate play, distraction, and recreational activities to ease anxiety and support children and families during hospital visits.

You will work with a multi-disciplinary team to create a welcoming, family-centred environment and ensure safe, engaging play provision daily across the department.

Responsibilities

• Organise and supervise age-appropriate play/recreational activities for children and young people in the Emergency Department.
• Provide therapeutic play to meet personal, emotional and social development needs.
• Ensure play equipment is used effectively and maintained safely at all times.
• Safeguard the welfare of children and escalate safeguarding concerns as needed.
• Document accurately in patients' notes and respect diverse backgrounds and needs.

Job description

Paediatric ED Play Assistant | Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust

The Emergency Department (ED) at the Royal Oldham Hospital are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity for a Play Assistant to join the experienced and dynamic Paediatric team of ED.

We are seeking a motivated, enthusiastic, trustworthy and passionate Play Assistant to provide the best experience whilst working in a hospital environment in meeting the healthcare needs of children and young people plus their families through the provision of age-appropriate play, distraction and recreational activities, helping to make their healthcare experience enjoyable and reduce anxiety.

You will support the multi-disciplinary team and be an advocate for the patients by creating a stimulating environment and activates for the patients and their families to meet their personal, emotional and social developmental needs while in hospital.

e play and distraction for children and young people attending the Paediatric Area of the Emergency Department, working within a philosophy of family centred care.

To ensure play equipment is used effectively and maintained appropriately.

To assess, plan, implement and evaluate play and distraction for children and young people attending the Paediatric Area of the Emergency Department, working within a philosophy of family centred care.

To ensure play equipment is used effectively and maintained appropriately.

Ensure the Paediatric area of the emergency department has a range of activities available to children and their families daily – supporting activities as appropriate

To organise and supervise age-appropriate play/ recreational activities for individual and groups of children and young people in the Emergency Department, according to their individual needs and plan

Work closely with the child, their family and the multi-disciplinary team to provide therapeutic play as appropriate

Provide a safe environment for children attending the department by ensuring all play equipment is clean and safe to use at all times, reporting and removing

Work within the philosophy of child and family centred care

Actively safeguard the welfare of children and escalate any safeguarding concerns and implement child protection procedures accordingly

Ensure accurate and appropriate written documentation is recorded in patients’ notes

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of children and young people and their families and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs

Ensure dignity of care/needs are met for every patient

Provide procedural preparation through play and distraction

The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust (NCA) provides hospital and integrated health and social care services to over one million people living across Greater Manchester. Our 20,000 colleagues care for people in hospital and in the community, working across Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Salford, to save and improve lives.

As a large NHS trust we are committed to enhancing the health of our local population by delivering consistently high standards of care and working closely with local authorities and key partners. We believe in our power and potential to make a difference and we’re always looking for people who demonstrate our three core values -care,appreciateandinspire– to join our team.

In return, we can offer you a job role with purpose and flexibility. The size and scale of the NCA means we can provide more challenge and opportunities so your career can always be moving in the right direction. By joining us you can also access a competitive benefits package, including, a fantastic annual leave allowance, flexible working opportunities and protected hours for health and wellbeing activities, helping you to achieve more personal downtime and a better work-life balance.

Learn more about us in our Candidate Information Pack.

To read more information about the advertised role, and the main job duties/responsibilities please open the Job Description and Person Specification located under the supporting documents heading. You can also read more information about working at the Northern Care Alliance within the attached Candidate Information Pack or by visiting our careers website:www.careers.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

This advert closes on Friday 30 Oct 2026