Skip to main content
Please wait, loading

Job summary

Main area
Play
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Monday - Friday (would consider 35hrs per week))
Job ref
387-W&C8468-MJA
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children
Town
Bristol
Salary
£28,392 - £31,157 per annum, pro rata for part time roles
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
24/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Health Play Specialist

Band 4

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.


 

Job overview

The Health Play Specialist is member of the Play Team who works within the Play Department to implement safe, high quality play programmes covering all aspects of hospital play provision, which meet patients emotional, social, developmental and creative needs.

The Health Play Specialist will respond to referrals from the multidisciplinary team to provide support for children and young people through play preparation and play programmes and support patients through procedures using therapeutic play and distraction therapies. In addition, they supervise play assistants, students and volunteers throughout the hospital.

Main duties of the job

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy. 

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston. 

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description, main responsibilities, and person specification, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy. 

Person specification

Knowledge and Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working as a Health Play Specialist with children in a hospital setting
  • Experience of assessing patients’ needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play
  • Excellent knowledge of child development
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Problem solving and analytical skills
  • Excellent time management skills
  • Ability to motivate others
  • Ability to work under own initiative
  • Driving Licence & use of vehicle or able to confidently use public transport
Desirable criteria
  • Strong IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Teams and other in house systems
  • Awareness of budget and stock control

Aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands
  • Positive and motivated team player
  • Willingness to reflect upon practice and be open to new ideas and ways of working
  • Sympathetic attitude and ability to support your team
  • Promotes positive working relationships with all colleagues within the play team and wider multi-disciplinary team
  • Enthusiastic and motivated to continually develop

Qualifications and Training

Essential criteria
  • Foundation Degree (FdA) in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent
  • Current HPSET registration (or overseas equivalent) or be in the process of re-registering. You will be required to remain registered with HPSET (or overseas equivalent) whilst in post

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Application numbers

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Jo Caseley
Job title
Play Department Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 342 8184
Additional information

Visit's to the play dept are welcome by arrangement.

Apply online nowAlert me to similar vacancies