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Job overview

There is an exciting opportunity to join our Play Team at GOSH as a Senior Play Worker for Learning Disability and Autism. We have a One Team ethos, and you will be required to support your fellow Play Team members across the whole hospital.

Play is integral to the wellbeing of children, young people and families, and this post will see you use your knowledge of play and child development to provide normalising play opportunities, promoting a positive patient experience.

The role of the Senior Play Worker enhances children and young people's hospital experiences. This may be at the bedside or in a playroom setting, bringing your creative skills, enthusiasm and passion to deliver meaningful play opportunities, while providing much needed family support.

You will provide high quality, holistic play for all children and their families across the Trust, enabling them to feel safe and at ease within the hospital environment.

You will ensure that all children and young people have appropriate access to play whilst at the hospital and offer opportunities to play that reflects diversity and inclusivity.

Main duties of the job

• Lead in an area of speciality- learning disabilities; taking opportunities to develop the collective knowledge and disseminating up-to-date learning to the Play Team and wider healthcare team within the hospital.
• Using theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate bespoke play sessions for children with a learning disability and/ or autism.
• To provide the direct link between the Learning Disability and Autism team and the Play Team.
• To consult with individual Play Team members, sharing knowledge and best practice for the patient to continue to receive play which meets their individual requirements.
• Design and maintain a safe, play-focused environment where play is led by the patient and can occur naturally.
• Provide play opportunities for the normalisation of hospital attendance as an inpatient or outpatient.
• To share your skills and knowledge with parents and include parents and families in play sessions where appropriate.
• Use your knowledge of child development through to adulthood when selecting recreational / play activities.
• Work alongside and supervise Volunteers and Students.
• To ensure appropriate sensory play equipment is available for those who need it.
• To advise and support Playworkers and Play Specialists across the service in planning and delivering effective play opportunities for patients with a Learning Disability.

Working for our organisation

GOSH is committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based solely on their ability and individual merit as measured against the criteria for the role; through a process that is fair, open, consistent and free from bias and discrimination.

We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, disability status or length of time spent unemployed.

We particularly welcome applications from BAME communities, people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions and LGBT+ community members.

We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants and employees are treated fairly and consistently. We are proud to be accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, a member of Business Disability Forum and a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

We have active and Executive supported BAME, LGBT+ and Allies, Disability and Long-Term Health Conditions and Women’s staff networks. Staff networks are employee-led groups formed around interests, issues and a common bond or background. Staff network members create a positive and inclusive work environment at Great Ormond Street Hospital by actively contributing to the Trust’s mission, values and efforts specific to inclusion. All of our staff networks are open to any employee.