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Job summary

Main area
Play Team
Grade
Band 4
Contract
12 months (Fixed term contract will end approx July 2026)
Hours
Part time - 30 hours per week
Job ref
279-7352997-AUG25
Employer
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Royal Alexandra Childrens Hospital
Town
Brighton
Salary
£27,485 - £30,162 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/09/2025 23:59
279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust logo

Play Specialist

Band 4

 

 About our Trust

At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute Trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.

 Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to always put our Patient First .  In fact our mission is summed up by our ‘where better never stops’ motto and you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.

At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme  for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.

As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: 

https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1

We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 

Job overview

The Hospital Play Specialist plays a vital role in delivering therapeutic play services to support the emotional, developmental, and psychological needs of children and young people in hospital settings. Using play as a therapeutic tool, the post holder helps children cope with medical procedures, hospitalisation, and illness.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Delivering age-appropriate therapeutic play to reduce anxiety and promote recovery.

  • Collaborating with the multidisciplinary team to contribute to holistic child assessments and care planning.

  • Communicating sensitively with children and families, often in challenging or emotionally charged situations.

  • Maintaining safe and developmentally appropriate play environments.

  • Managing and auditing play resources and contributing to departmental service improvement initiatives.

  • Supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion while upholding the Trust’s values of compassion, communication, teamwork, respect, professionalism, and inclusion.

The role requires a Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play.

Main duties of the job

As a Hospital Play Specialist, you will play a key role in supporting children and young people during their hospital experience through therapeutic play, preparation, and emotional support.

Your main duties will include:

  • Planning, delivering, and evaluating therapeutic play interventions to help reduce anxiety and support coping with medical procedures.

  • Providing emotional support to children and their families, adapting communication to suit developmental needs.

  • Creating and maintaining a safe, inclusive, and stimulating play environment.

  • Contributing to multi-disciplinary care planning by sharing observations and participating in team discussions.

  • Supervising and supporting Hospital Play Specialist students on placement.

  • Maintaining accurate documentation in line with Trust policies.

  • Selecting, maintaining, and auditing play resources in line with service needs and budgets.

  • Promoting awareness of the importance of play in hospital settings across the wider team.

You will work within a supportive team and be encouraged to contribute to service development, audits, and the delivery of high-quality patient care.

Working for our organisation

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme, for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves. 

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop. We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Communication

  • Establish and maintain effective communication, verbal and written, with children, families and all members of the multi-disciplinary team in child health and in other departments of the hospital where children are treated
  • Negotiate sensitively with children and their carers particularly if there are any barriers to understanding.
  • Communicate with children in a manner appropriate to their age and stage of development and their carers.
  • Demonstrate use of basic IT skills to maintain records.
  • Write precise, accurate and timely play records in accordance with Trust and professional standards.
  • Listen actively and respond appropriately to information given.
  • Take part in shift handovers ensuring relevant detail is communicated to the team.

Service Delivery and Improvement

  • Monitor stock levels of play resources reporting to Play manager as required.
  • Take part in mandatory audit as designated by the Play Manager, e.g Essence of Care.
  • Take part in Department meetings.
  • Demonstrate prudent use of resources in (stores, disposabl equipment)
  • To participate in the selection of play resources to reflect the needs o the patient group
  • In conjunction with the play service manager is responsible for selecting resources for the allocated ward area within budget.
  • Contribute to the implementation of the National Service Framework for Children.
  • Adhere to all Trust policies, procedures and guidelines and work within the National Association of Hospital Play Staff code of professional conduct.
  • Support people’s equality, diversity and rights in accordance with UHSussex policy.
  • To demonstrate an understanding of the National Association of Play staff guidelines for professional practice.
  • Take part in the Essence of Care (Department Of Health).
  • Contribute to the implementation of National Institute for Clinical Excellence guideline recommendations.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of clinical governance.
  • Participate in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice and the development of play protocols.
  • Respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of children and their families and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these needs.
  • To be proactive in the delivery of the play service development plan by taking part in audits and sharing information and experience of the service with others
  • Ensure that accurate and timely activity data is maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards.

People Management and Development

  • Maintain an age and development appropriate environment that promotes safety, security and optimal health for the child and his family.
  • Behave in a consistent manner with children and their carers, multi disciplinary team and the public.
  • Work as a member of the ward team and provide play base observations on children in Hospital to support the overall assessment of the child.

Patient Care Delivery

  • To select and apply therapeutic techniques to help children and young people overcome difficulties with hospital admission/procedures
  • To plan and implement interventions to achieve therapeutic goals, in collaboration with the referrer, the child and their family.
  • To use knowledge and understanding of child developmental to contribute to assessments and overall, long term care planning.
  • To monitor, evaluate and modify therapeutic interventions in order to measure child’s progress and ensure effectiveness of care plan
  • To demonstrate and apply knowledge gained from the Hospital Play Specialist Course on the effect of hospitalisation and illness on the child/family when contributing to care pathways. Sharing ideas and experience with other members of staff.
  • To support children and families under stress
  • Work effectively as a member of the multi-disciplinary team.
  • Assist with the pre-assessment of children during pre-clerking

Please see attached Job Description for full details.

Person specification

Experience/Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Hospital Play Specialist Education Trust
  • Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Children and Young People/Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or equivalent
  • CACHE Diploma in child care and education, NNEB or equivalent
  • Evidence of post-certificate education
  • Experience working with children and young people in a Hospital setting
  • Experience working with children with additional needs including those with challenging behaviours.
  • Knowledge and understanding of child development
  • Documented evidence of continuing Professional Development
  • Post qualification experience as a Hospital Play Specialist in a relevant clinical setting or equivalent
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply therapeutic interventions for children and young people experiencing difficulties with hospitalisation, treatment and chronic illness
  • Ability to plan and coordinate therapeutic input.
Desirable criteria
  • Food hygiene certificate.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Veteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardDisability confident employerStep into healthHappy to Talk Flexible Working

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
Katy Rowe
Job title
Play Specialist Lead
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01273 696955
Additional information

In the event you are unable to contact Katy you can contact Carl Sedge Paediatric matron for the play team via [email protected]  or telephone 01273 696955 ext 62365

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