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Job summary

Main area
Health Play
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Part time - 34.5 hours per week (A 7-day cover for the service is required including BH. Hours will be rota'd over a four week period. shifts will consist of three 11.5 hour shifts between 7.00am - 19.30pm . Requests for shift allocation are processed using an app allocate loop. Shift allocation can be discussed at interview.)
Job ref
100-ACS024-0226
Employer
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Employer type
NHS
Site
The Children's Centre, Glangwili General Hospital
Town
Carmarthen
Salary
£27,898 - £30,615 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
16/02/2026 23:59
Interview date
02/03/2026

Employer heading

Hywel Dda University Health Board logo

Health Play Specialist

Band 4

Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.

If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [email protected]

To keep up to date with our latest recruitment activity follow us on Facebook (Swyddi Hywel Dda Jobs), LinkedIn or on Twitter @SwyddiHDdaJobs

Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.


 

Job overview

Utilise clinical skills, experience and knowledge to assess patient needs allowing for appropriate prioritisation of therapeutic play preparation, distraction, and emotional support for babies, children and young people (BCYP), seeking advice from manager when necessary.

Provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques creating individual play programmes for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma within families.

Support the development and management of systems to ensure smooth transition of care for BCYP from one area of the hospital to another, and from other health settings/community care providing age-appropriate information about the patient’s care and treatment.

Actively contribute to elements of projects and health board events as delegated, whilst ensuring time is managed effectively to maintain clinical responsibilities.

Help to organise and participate in fund raising events.

Participate in the development and promotion of therapeutic play services throughout Hywel Dda and more widely.

Main duties of the job

We are looking to appoint a dynamic, innovative and passionate individual who has the ability to both work in partnership with our families and colleagues.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Providing a comprehensive programme of therapeutic play interventions through one to one sessions or group work.

Providing specific therapeutic play and support to children and young people in health care settings 

Providing expertise underpinned by theory, education and training in therapeutic play to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Health, Social Care team and third sector agencies.

Maintaining, developing, and evaluating the therapeutic, play service to create a service that remains fit for the future.

The ability to travel between sites in a timely manner is essential as this post will cover three counties. The post will be based in the Children's Centre, Glangwili General Hospital, Carmarthen.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Interviews will be held on 02/03/2026

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and provides NHS healthcare services for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and bordering counties.

We have over 13,000 staff and together we provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services.

We work in partnership with the three local authorities, as well as public, private and third sector colleagues, including our valued team of volunteers.

Our services are provided in:

  • Four main hospitals: Bronglais Hospital in Aberystwyth; Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen; Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli; and Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest
  • Five community hospitals: Amman Valley and Llandovery hospitals in Carmarthenshire; Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion; and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire hospitals in Pembrokeshire
  • Two integrated care centres: Aberaeron and Cardigan in Ceredigion, and several other community settings
  • 47 general practices (six of which are health board managed practices); dental practices (including four orthodontic); 97 community pharmacies; 43 general ophthalmic practices; and 8 ophthalmic domiciliary providers
  • Numerous mental health and learning disabilities services

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Applications are welcome from students due to qualify in 2026. Appointment will be subject to successful completion of professional registration with Society of Health Play Specialists which must be confirmed as part of pre‑employment checks. The successful candidate will not be able to commence in post until registration has been obtained.

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents. 

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences.  In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Person specification

Qualifications and knowledge

Essential criteria
  • FdA Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex / BTEC in Specialised play for the sick child (previous HPSC/ HPSEB), or international equivalent
  • Registered Health Play Specialist with Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS)
  • Knowledge and Understanding of the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Standards and its application in practice
  • Knowledge and understanding of child development.
  • Knowledge of the value of play for sick children and young people.
  • Sound knowledge of safeguarding issues
  • Demonstrable CPD in line with expectations of SoHPS registration
Desirable criteria
  • Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Math’s (GCSE Grade A* - C)
  • NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA) Training in counselling skills
  • Sign Language

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in working with children and young people with complex, medical and psychological needs, in health, social care or educational setting
  • Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team

Language skills

Desirable criteria
  • Welsh speaker (Level 1)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyCymraegDisability confident employerStep into healthCarer Confident (With Welsh translation)Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldCore principlesStonewall 2023 Bronze

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.

Welsh language skills are desirable

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Karen Thomas
Job title
Head Therapeutic Play
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01267229618
Additional information

Available  08:00 - 17:30 Monday - Thursday 

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