Job summary
- Main area
- Play Team
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Part time
- Job ref
- 358-7382277-W&C-A
- Employer
- University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Leicester Royal Infirmary
- Town
- Leicester
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 per annum, (pro-rata if Part-Time)
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 30/10/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Play Assistant
NHS AfC: Band 3
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Job overview
Due to an exciting development we are looking to recruit a band 3 play assistant to join our play team in supporting Children and young people through their hospital journey. Candidates must hold a level 3 child care qualification or equivalent in order to provide and maintain a safe, friendly and child focused environment. The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge, skills and experience in child development, play and communication skills and demonstrate the ability to document and participate in developmental assessments.
For an informal discussion please contact Sally Shepherd or Helen Hayles on 0116 258 7549
Main duties of the job
- To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or departments
- To work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings.
- To organise and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital according to their individual needs and as part of their overall plan
- To provide play based observations to support the overall assessment of children and young people
- To establish effective communication, both verbally and written with children/families and the multi-disciplinary team.
- To understand and use play documentation to communicate relevant information and /or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word
- To ensure that all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean, in good repair and stored safety
- To ensure that a safe environment is created for children their families and staff in accordance with the Trusts safety policy
Working for our organisation
We are a national and regional centre for
specialist treatment, a renowned biomedical
research facility and the local hospital for
communities in Leicester, Leicestershire,
and Rutland.
We have an established international
reputation for research excellence in
cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes,
renal and cancer medicine. Together with
University of Leicester, Loughborough
University and De Montfort University
we provide world-class training for
the future NHS workforce.
Our three acute sites are the Leicester Royal
Infirmary, the Leicester General Hospital and
the Glenfield Hospital. We provide services
in seven community hospitals as well as in
people’s homes and virtually.
As a large health and care provider,
we are also a significant local employer.
More than 18,000 people from over 70
different nationalities work at UHL,
making us the largest employer in the
city and one of the largest in the region.
We use our economic influence to improve
the health and wellbeing of our community
through purchasing local goods and services
and being a good civic partner.
We work with local partners in the health
and social care, local authority, voluntary and
charitable sectors to improve health outcomes,
foster economic and social development
and reduce the health inequalities that
some groups experience.
The detailed job description and main responsibilities are included as an attachment to this advert.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
- To be responsible for achieving standards of care set by example and direction.
- To be involved in Personal and Development reviews
- To support play audits
- To demonstrate flexibility when required to work in other areas
- To participate in play team meetings
- To review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal
- To attend mandatory training, keep abreast of current trends in play through reading literature and journals. And being supportive to change
Person specification
Training & Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Good general secondary education
- NNEB/DCE/Btec National Diploma in Nursery Nursing
- NVQ3 in early years studies
Desirable criteria
- IT Skills
Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust’s Values and Behaviours
Experience
Essential criteria
- Experience working in a child-care setting.
- Knowledge and understanding of child development and provision of play activities
Desirable criteria
- Working as part of a team
Communication and relationship skills
Essential criteria
- Effective written and verbal communication skills information
- Information governance i.e. confidentiality
- Ability to use own initiative
- Ability to work flexibly within a changing environment
Desirable criteria
- Ability to work with minimum supervision
Analytical and Judgement skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to apply theory to practice to support professional judgements
Planning and organisation skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of children to assess, plan & implement activities
Physical Skills
Essential criteria
- Ability to undertake manual and non-manual handling safely
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs.
- All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others Demonstrates an understanding of equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice To participate and undertake training and education as directed
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Helen Hayles
- Job title
- Play Coordinator
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0116 2587549
- Additional information
sally shepherd
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