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Job summary

Main area
Hospital Play Team
Grade
Band 3
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (includes weekends and bank holidays)
Job ref
320-W&C-1153
Employer
University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Derby Hospital
Town
Derby
Salary
£24,937 - £26,598 pro rata pa
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/04/2026 23:59

Employer heading

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust logo

Hospital Play Worker

Band 3

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together.

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

With over 14,000 members of staff you can expect huge variety and new opportunities every day! Our staff go above and beyond and take pride in caring for our patients.

University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust is fully committed to promoting inclusion, equality, diversity and human rights in employment and delivery of its services.  The Trust is committed to providing an environment where all employees, patients, carers and visitors experience equality of opportunity by means of understanding and appreciating the value of diversity.

As a Trust we promote an inclusive environment and welcome applications from a diverse pool of talent and backgrounds.  All individuals are valued and given every opportunity to succeed based on merit.

The Trust actively encourages applications from members of our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities. These groups are under-represented in our organisation, and it’s important to us that our workforce reflects the diversity of our communities as much as possible.

Armed Forces and Disability Confident guaranteed interview scheme

To further support the pledges in the Armed Forces Covenant and to make a positive contribution to support ex-armed forces personnel (veterans) make the transition to civilian life, the Trust has introduced a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for veterans who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification, to help them overcome barriers to find civilian employment. The scheme will operate for all external recruitment.

The Trust is a Disability Confident Employer and committed to both employing and retaining people with disabilities.  This commitment is to guarantee an interview for any candidate that has disclosed a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and who meets the essential criteria set out in the person specification.  Reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 will be considered upon request.

if you are blind or visually impaired and require application material in an alternative format- such as Braille, large print, audio or accessible electronic formats or  you require support/adjustments with your application please contact the recruitment team on  01332 788466

Join us and help make a real difference to our Trust.

Here’s more about the role and what we’re looking for; 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity is available for a Hospital Play Worker working within the Paediatric team based at Derby Children’s Hospital.

The successful candidate should have a NVQ,CACHE, NNED(LEVEL3) or a Diploma in Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood studies with an understanding of working with children, young people and their families. 

The position of Hospital Play Worker is a permanent full time position hours covering a seven day period including all bank holidays.

The role will be working with children and young people who are admitted to hospital for planned and emergency admissions.

We are looking for a dynamic individual with compassion and an inspiring attitude to support patients and their families through their hospital journey.

Creating a child and young person focused environment you will be responsible for encouraging and organising age related therapeutic and normalising play and for the use of distraction.

Play and recreational activities are important to support the healthcare experience, it is inclusive to all and by making it enjoyable this can reduce anxiety and risk of psychological trauma.

Strongly suggest that if you are interested in this position that you take the opportunity to have a look around before applying.

 

Main duties of the job

To work as part of the Play specialist team to provide play and recreational needs of individual children of any age in hospital by providing a safe environment and appropriate materials. Promoting normal development of children by using play as a development aid.
 
  • To provide play and activities for patients 0-17 in a ward environment
  • Under the supervision of the Hospital Play Specialist work with set Play Programmes of care.
  • Plan daily activities by the bedside/play area/department
  • Promoting normal development for children and young people
  • Support the needs of the patient and their families under stress and in a crisis
  • Celebrate all year-round calendar events
  • Maintain a safe environment, use of appropriate materials, work in association with guidelines for Infection Control and Health and Safety
  • To respect the individual, values, cultural and diversity, contribute to ensuring the provision of the service is sensitive to these needs
  • Work with the Multi-disciplinary team to enhance the patient journey. Understands the importance of teamwork.
  • Demonstrate good communication both verbal and written. This includes patients the families along with the nursing team

Closing date of applications: 6 April 2026

Interview date: 20 April 2026

 

Working for our organisation

As a trusted organisation at the heart of our communities, we recognise the important role we can play in supporting the public, patients, our own people and local partners in achieving the best of health for the local population and the communities in which they live by providing Exceptional Care Together

Our fundamental Values of Compassion, Openness and Excellence underpin how we intend to work as a Trust and the associated behaviours are becoming embedded in all aspects of how we work.

In return we will offer:

  • Development opportunities, both professional and leadership development
  • On-going support from recruitment to when you join our team and beyond.
  • Staff benefits including employee assistance programme, discounted gym membership, onsite fitness classes, car schemes

Key Facts:

  • We see on average 4810 OP appointments a day.
  • We are the 4th busiest Trauma & Orthopaedic outpatients department in England – an average of 2077 per week.
  • An average of 1115 patients are seen in A&Es across our network every day – 3rd largest in the country.
  • Our hospitals admit an average of 195 emergency patients daily.
  • Last year we undertook almost 33,700 planned surgical operations in our 57 operating theatres.
  • We are one of only 7 Trusts nationally with more than 50 operating theatres.
  • We carry out more than 140 elective procedures each working day.
  • UHDB is a research active University Hospital with a large and varied portfolio of clinical trials and research opportunities for all staff.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached Job description and Person Specification. To apply please click APPLY FOR THIS JOB – this link will take you to the TRAC Recruitment Site. You will need to register if you do not already have an account.

Following the recent update on UK immigration policy for those on a Health and Care Visa or Skilled Worker Visa, please click on the link to check your eligibility before applying for this post as we may be unable to provide sponsorship Impacts of the changes to the UK immigration policy | NHS Employers

Person specification

Experience/Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • NVQ,CACHE,NNEB(Level3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children/young PeopleChildhood Studies

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Knowledge and understanding of child development
  • Experience of working as a team member
  • Experience of working as part of a diverse team
  • Previous experience of working with children and young people in an education or NHS setting
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of of the value of Play for a sick child
  • Experiences of working with parents and the extended family
  • NHS Experience

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Ability to work with and provide creative activities to individual and groups of children
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills
  • Good Organisational Skills
  • Health,safety and risk awareness
  • Documentation Skills
Desirable criteria
  • I.T Skills

Employer certification / accreditation badges

No smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStep into healthArmed Forces CovenantCareLeaver CovenantAge Friendly EmployerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024

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.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Fran Watson
Job title
Senior Hospital Play Specialist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01332 785653
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