Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics ED
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Long shifts, evenings, weekends, holidays and bank holidays will all be part of normal shift pattern.)
- Job ref
- 193-8202105UCGB3-PLAYLDR
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £25,760 - £27,476 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 13/09/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Play Leader
NHS AfC: Band 3
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.
Job overview
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To assist the nursing and multidisciplinary team in meeting the needs of children and their families by undertaking delegated duties that support and enable the delivery of family centred care.
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To utilise play as a means of improving children’s understanding and ability to process elements of hospital admission.
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To provide distraction and activities during the hospital stay to maximise the wellbeing of the child and family.
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To support the nursing team with elements of clinical care, including completing observations and other investigations.
Main duties of the job
- Undertake play and provide activities with children of all ages in a hospital setting.
- Provide distraction to reduce distress during procedures and investigations.
- Undertake clinical observations and investigations.
- Communicate with families and update them on care.
- Escalate concerns through nursing and multidisciplinary team.
- Clearly document all care given.
- Be involved in safeguarding and child protection.
- Transfer patients between departments within the hospital.
- Work alongside staff in resus to provide emotional support.
- Ensure needs of child and family are met.
- Be wiling to learn and undertake new skills.
- Attend training including mandatory training and other study days relevant to your role.
- Bring ideas and enthusiasm to help improve the experience of children and young people in the Paediatric Emergency Department.
Working for our organisation
Diversity makes us interesting… Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.
Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.
We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.
If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To maintain and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan. Using knowledge of child development when selecting play activities.
- To work as part of the play team, to select and apply therapeutic play techniques to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy, and post procedural play.
- To provide support to families under stress and in crisis.
- To undertake learning to enable them to perform observations on children/young people. To be able to interpret these in comparison to normal values and indicators and communicate them accordingly. Understands and follows correct escalation procedure when any concerns arise.
- Demonstrate willingness in learning/performing clinical skills for example ECGs, urinalysis, venepuncture and cannulation.
- Be aware of the importance of safeguarding children/families and will report any concerns following departmental and Trust policies and procedures.
- Works a range of shifts, which will cover evenings, weekends and holidays, in order to meet the needs of the Paediatric Emergency Department as a 24 hour service.
- To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.
- Works as an effective team member. Understands the importance of team working in the delivery of high quality care.
- Demonstrates good communication with children, families and colleagues. Effectively communicates in both verbal and written form.
- Involves children and families in decisions about their care and wellbeing and advocates for them amongst the multidisciplinary team.
- To respect the individuality, values, and cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
- Practices within Data Protection/ Confidentiality/ Caldicott principles and follows relevant policy and procedure.
- Be responsible for maintaining equipment in accordance with Trust health and safety standards.
- Is able to identify how complaints may arise and how they should be dealt with.
- Assist in the monitoring and maintenance of the health, safety and security of self and others in work area. The post holder must ensure that he/ she works within risk management/ occupational health legislation and Trust procedures for safe working practices.
- Demonstrate a commitment to continued personal development and attend booked study days.
Person specification
Training
Essential criteria
- Child Care qualification NNEB or NVQ/ Diploma Level 3 Child Care
Experience
Essential criteria
- Recent experience of working with children/ young people.
Experience
Desirable criteria
- Experience working in a healthcare setting.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Shilani Perera
- Job title
- Paediatric Lead Nurse
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01183227856
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