Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 253-0926-8275642
- Employer
- The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Russells Hall Hospital
- Town
- Dudley
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/10/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Play Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
Are you a registered play specialist looking for a new, and exciting opportunity?
If so, come and join our amazing team on the Children’s Ward at Russells Hall Hospital Dudley. This is an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with the Play Specialist Team to meet the normalising play needs of children & young people supporting services where children are seen through the facilitation of activities within ward and outpatient clinic areas across the Trust. This is a permanent post, for 18 hours per week.
You will use play to provide basic distraction from the hospital environment. Work flexibly within the play team to facilitate services to support play opportunities for children within the play.
This role is truly rewarding, and with your help we can make a positive difference to a child’s journey through the Paediatric Department.
The post holder will work across PAU and the Children's Ward. It is to cover a 7-day service with a variety of shifts, including earlies, and lates.
Main duties of the job
To work in collaboration with the Play Specialist Team to meet the normalising play needs of children & young people supporting services where children are seen through the facilitation of activities within ward, PAU and outpatient clinic areas across the Trust.
Working for our organisation
At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of “excellent health care, improved health for all”. We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.
As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.
As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.
Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.
Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.
Person specification
Qualifications and Education
Essential criteria
- Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or Healthcare Play Specialist Certificate and current registration with Hospital Play Specialist Education Trust
- 5 GCSE’s A-C grade including English and Maths.
Desirable criteria
- Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training or willingness to undertake
Experience
Essential criteria
- Previous relevant experience, especially in the care of children/young people aged 0-19 years.
- Awareness of the needs of the hospitalised child/young person and family.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working with children/young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviour.
- Experience of working with children/young people with mental health needs.
Knowledge and Training
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of issues relating to consent and confidentiality.
- Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safe guarding and cultural and diversity awareness.
- Good understanding of Health & Safety issues relating to children/young people and Play
- To be professional and non-judgemental.
- Basic IT skills or be prepared to undertake training identified by the Trust
Communication and Relationship Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to meet the play and recreation needs of individuals and groups of children/young people.
- Effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
- Able to liaise with professionals at all levels.
- Interested in child development.
- Enthusiastic in all aspects of professional and personal development.
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Louise Garratt
- Job title
- Lead Nurse Paediatrics
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01384 456111
- Additional information
Louise Garratt 01384 456111 ext 3042
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