Job overview

The Health Play Specialist is a qualified professional with expert knowledge and experience of using play to support babies, children, and young people, both well and unwell. They are a fully integrated member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team and play a vital role in supporting children, young people, and their families throughout their healthcare journey.

The post holder will work as part of the Play Team within the Paediatric Department, while also working independently and using their own initiative, organisation, leadership, and time‑management skills.

Main duties of the job

The Healthcare Play Specialist will provide developmental, therapeutic, and specialised play interventions for babies, children, and young people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. These interventions aim to meet emotional, social, and developmental needs, reduce anxiety, and help alleviate emotional trauma experienced by children, young people, and their families. The role supports positive coping and helps bridge the gap between hospital and home, contributing to a positive patient experience.

The post holder will plan, deliver, and evaluate engaging, age‑appropriate, and stimulating play programmes for babies, children, young people, and their families. They will advocate for the importance and impact of therapeutic play and promote this within the multidisciplinary team, including students and learners.

The Health Play Specialist will work flexibly across all paediatric areas within the acute hospital and may occasionally be required to work in other clinical areas. They will also contribute to Play Service projects, service development, and quality improvement initiatives.

The post holder must be a registered and qualified Health Play Specialist, holding a Foundation Degree in Health Play Specialism (or equivalent) and maintaining professional registration in line with national standards.

Working for our organisation

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.