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Job summary

Main area
Paediatrics
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Fixed term: 12 months (End Date 17th August 2027)
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week
Job ref
391-NMUH-8123433
Employer
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals
Town
Barnet
Salary
£33,262 - £36,027 per annum pro rata inclusive of HCAS
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
17/09/2026 23:59

Employer heading

NHS

Health Play Specialist

Band 4

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community.  This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers’ money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey. Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

Click here to view our video Welcome to the Royal Free

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to fair and transparent recruitment and requires applicants to provide accurate information, as misleading details may affect their application or employment and may be verified in line with the Fraud Act 2006. For further information please visit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

 

Job overview

 

Band 4 Health Play Specialist

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

  • The available vacancy is at Barnet, Edgware and Chase Farm hospitals.

The post-holder may be required to work cross sites

Main duties of the job

The main part of this role will be to work within areas, which includes inpatient ward, day surgery/ambulatory ward, and children's outpatients. You may also be required to work with children in other units that children are seen within the Trust. The successful candidate must have a Health Play Specialist qualification and be registered with SoHPS. You will need to have experience working with babies, children and young people in a healthcare setting. In return you will have the opportunity to expand your skills, access training and be supported in your professional development.

Working for our organisation

The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s biggest and most innovative trusts. Across three main hospitals, our dedicated army of staff care for over 1.6million patients, treat more than 200,000 in A&E, deliver over 8,000 babies and carry out more than 17million tests.

Our size, scale and influence offer you unrivalled career opportunities and a forward-thinking approach to working that works around your lifestyle. From flexible hours and generous benefits, to next level training, we make it easier to take your career to the top

For more information please follow  link https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

  • To accompany children/young people to other departments within the hospital as appropriate with or without an accompanying nurse. For example, supporting children in the theatre anaesthetic room. MRI etc.
  • To provide preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural activities/support.
  • To encourage and support parents to join in play with their child/young person.
  • Use communication skills to talk to children and families, report any issues to nurse in charge. Including any safeguarding issues.
  • Support distress parents/carers when their child has gone into theatres or at any other distressing time.
  • Contribute to written reports or assessments of children/young people as required. Including day to day continuous documentation.

 

RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

  • To always behave in a manner that is professional, positive and polite.
  • To help create a warm, welcoming, and safe environment that is child friendly.
  • To liaise closely with the MDT to provide a holistic approach to meeting the needs of the child and the family.
  • To have knowledge, respect and understanding of cultural needs of children/young people from various ethnic and religious backgrounds.
  • To adhere to the National Association of Health Play Specialist Guidelines for Professional practice and maintain registration with SoHPS.
  • Act as an advocate at all times for both children and their family, maintaining confidentiality at all times.
  •     Experience of working with babies/children and young people in hospital setting

  •  

    Experience of effective working as a team members

  • Experience of working with parents and extended families

  •  Documented evidence of continuing Professional Developmen
  • Experience of working with children with special needs  including those with challenging behaviour

Please see attached job description for more information about this role and working at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust.

Person specification

Education and Professional Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered qualified Hospital Play Specialist holding the Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Edexcel
  • NNEB/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training childcare and development

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience of working with babies/children and young people in hospital setting
  • Experience of effective working as a team member
  • Experience of working with parents and extended families
  • Experience of working with children with special needs including those with challenging behaviour
Desirable criteria
  • Documented evidence of continuing Professional Development

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential criteria
  • A full understanding and ability to apply preparation, distraction therapy and post procedure play skills
  • Basic knowledge of child protection policies and relevant health legislation
  • Ability to communicate effectively with patients/families and staff
  • Basic competency using word and excel
Desirable criteria
  • Knowledge of NAHPS professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Values

Essential criteria
  • Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Nursing TimesApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleDisability confident employerTimewise PartnerCare Quality Commission - Requires improvementEnei MemberArmed Forces Covenant

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

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Andrea Nicholas
Job title
Senior HealthCare Play Specialist
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02082165195
Additional information

Claire Walton

Ward manager

[email protected]

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