Job summary
- Main area
- Play Team
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 279-7163247-MAY25
- Employer
- 279 University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Worthing
- Town
- Worthing
- Salary
- £26,530 - £29,114 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 10/06/2025 23:59
Employer heading
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.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Play Specialist to join our friendly well established team.
Bluefin ward nurses children and young people from birth to 18 years. Our patients have a variety of medical and surgical conditions. The unit has an HDU area and separate Children's and Young Person's Day Unit.
We presently have a permanent position for a Play Specialist to work alongside our play assistant. You will be based on Bluefin Ward but can expect to work in other areas across the hospital and become an integral part of the Bluefin team. Supporting and working with children and young people in the acute setting.
Appropriate applicants would need have or be studying toward one of the following qualifications:
Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Children and Young People/Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB.
Or
Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism and experience of working with children in a hospital play setting.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate person who wants to make a real difference to the patients and families in our care. You should expect to be supported, supervised, challenged and mentored by our experienced staff.
Main duties of the job
To ensure the child’s needs are identified and play programmes implemented accordingly to meet individual requirements
- To assess the play, developmental, and emotional needs of individual children of all ages
- Establish and maintain effective communication, verbal and written, with children, families and all members of the multi-disciplinary team.
- 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.
- Engage in effective communication with a variety of ages and those with complex needs.
-
Development and support of other members of the play team including play assistants and youth worker/s.
See attached Job Description for further information
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. 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 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. We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
JOB SUMMARY
Working alongside the Play Assistant and Nursing team you will:
- Maintain a safe, child-focused environment where play occurs naturally.
- Provide play for normalisation for children and young people attending hospital.
- Use your knowledge of child development and through to adulthood when selecting recreational / play activities.
Work alongside and supervise Volunteers and Student nurses where applicable
You must be able to work flexibly with the rest of the clinical team and be able to work alongside them to provide a safe environment for the children. You would need to be comfortable working with children and young people in the hospital environment.
Please see attached Job Description for further information
Person specification
Academic and Experience
Essential criteria
- Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Children and Young People/Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or evidence of study towards.
- NVQ or Diploma in child care and education
- NNEB or equivalent
Desirable criteria
- Food hygiene certificate
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Addy Buckand
- Job title
- Ward Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01903285164
- Additional information
I work a flexible four day week so please email with any questions and I will respond when I am next working.
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