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Job summary

Main area
Play Services
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (The post holder may be required to work a flexible rota covering any five days out of seven to meet the needs of the service.)
Job ref
391-NMUH-8286513
Employer
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
North Middlesex University Hospital
Town
London
Salary
£33,262 - £36,027 Per annum inclusive of HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
20/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

NHS

Band 4 Health Play Specialist

NHS AfC: Band 4

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community.  This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

Click here to view our video Welcome to the Royal Free

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to ensuring that its recruitment processes are carried out with integrity, transparency, and fairness for all applicants. To help maintain these standards, we ask candidates to provide accurate and truthful information throughout the recruitment process.

If incorrect or misleading information is identified, this may affect the progression of an application, any employment offer, or continued employment. As part of our due diligence, the company may verify the information provided by applicants and take appropriate action where necessary.

We do not charge applicants any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including applications, interviews, sponsorship arrangements, pre-employment checks, or employment offers. All vacancies are advertised through TRAC/NHS Jobs and candidates are assessed solely on their skills, qualifications, experience, and suitability for the role. If you are asked to make a payment in connection with an NHS job opportunity, please treat this as suspicious and contact the organisation directly using the details published on our official career's website

Applicants can refer to the Fraud Act 2006 for further information: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/35/contents

 

Job overview

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic candidate to the role of Health Play Specialist within our Acute Play Services team, part of our Babies, Children's, & Young People Division.

This role is based at our North Middlesex University Health Unit and is offered at full time, working Monday - Friday working on our Play Services roster, and this role will include some weekend working.

The postholder will work across all areas of the health unit, including but not limited to, our:

  • T2 Rainbow Ward
  • Paediatric Assessment Unit
  • Ocean Day Unit
  • Children's Outpatient Department
  • Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Liaison Team

Please note:

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. 

Main duties of the job

To provide and participate in the design and delivery of play/recreation activities for all children and young people attending the Trust from birth up to the age of eighteen, in accordance with their medical condition, cultural and individual needs. 

To liaise with the senior play specialist and other members of the multidisciplinary team to enhance the emotional wellbeing of the child or young person and their families throughout their hospital stay To provide play and use distraction techniques for children attending areas of the hospital outside the Women and Children directorate. Help families to celebrate key events & milestones. Be part of a friendly, thriving team of play specialists, play workers & volunteers. Children's health & wellbeing is at our core & your contribution will make a real impact within a team who value play.

Working for our organisation

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community.  This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

A full list of duties and responsibilities will be found within the job description and requirements for the role can be found within the person specification.

Person specification

Education and Professional Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered qualified Hospital Play Specialist holding the Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Edexcel
Desirable criteria
  • Membership of SoHPS Professional Body

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with babies, children and young people in healthcare or paediatric setting
  • Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Ability to use therapeutic play techniques to prepare and support children undergoing investigations, treatments, and procedures.
  • Ability to support children with additional needs, learning disabilities, or complex health conditions.
  • Knowledge of child development and the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children and young people.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • A full understanding and ability to apply preparation, distraction therapy and post procedure play skills
  • Basic knowledge of safeguarding policies and relevant health legislation
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients/families and staff
  • Good organisational, time management, IT and record-keeping skills
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of HPS, professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential criteria
  • Enthusiastic and motivated.
  • Good interpersonal skills.
  • Professional approach to work.
  • Accountability – Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working.
  • Openness – Shares information and good practice appropriately.
  • Mutual respect – Treats others with courtesy and respect.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Nursing TimesApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident employerTimewise PartnerCare Quality Commission - Requires improvementEnei MemberArmed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Kean Dennis
Job title
Ward Manager - Children's Outpatients
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0208 887 2716
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