Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 245-ACS4AE-08-25-A
- Employer
- Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Paediatric Emergency Department, Tameside Hospital
- Town
- Ashton-Under-Lyne
- Salary
- £27,485 - £30,162 pro rata per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 29/09/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Play Specialist
Band 4
Job overview
Play Specialist- Band 4
Full/part time - Permanent
Children and Young People – Emergency Department Healthcare Play Specialist
An exciting opportunity has arisen at the Children and Young Peoples Emergency Department at Tameside Hospital.
The Children and Young Peoples (C&YP ED) is excited to announce the introduction of an Play Specialist Healthcare worker. This is a new and exciting addition to our newly developed C&YP ED. The department has a dedicated Resuscitation room , CAMHS (Child and Mental Health support) Room, dedicated isolation cubicles and waiting area.
The department has dedicated Paediatric Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Practice Based Educators to support in this role.
Main duties of the job
To undertake therapeutic assessments and devise play programs for children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.
The successful candidate will work closely with children/young people and their families and strive to make the hospital journey as pleasant as possible. The post holder must be able to provide Play Service input and support, specialised and therapeutic, normalising/developmental and sensory play and deliver preparation and distraction for our children and young people.
- You must be able to demonstrate excellent communication skills and have the ability to support others. It is essential that you can prioritise and manage your own workload whilst supporting your colleagues and the multi-disciplinary team. Excellent knowledge of child development is essential, as is experience of working with a wide range of ages.
Working for our organisation
Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust serves a community of 250,000 people across Tameside & Glossop. We provide a range of services both within the hospital and across our community for both adults and children. Our vision is to improve health outcomes for our population and influence wider determinants of health through collaboration with our health & care partners.
We have a clear set of values & behaviours which we expect all of our staff to demonstrate:
- Compassion
- Accountability
- Respect
- Excellence
We believe that the best organisations are those that reflect the communities they serve. We are therefore seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce to make it truly representative of our local population.
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. Recognising those communities that are underrepresented within our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ & Disabled people.
Benefits include; flexible working, 27-33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme, support with stress, bereavement, relationships, finance, and much more.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The job description gives an overview of the main tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specifications focusses on the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. These documents are attached on the page and can be downloaded.
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Level 3 childcare qualification
Desirable criteria
- Current registration with HPSET
- Experience of MDT working
- Hospital Play Specialist Foundation Degree
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
- knowledge of the play needs of a children & young people within a hospital setting
- Able to handle sensitive issues
- Knowledge & experience of safeguarding
- Good knowledge of risk management
- Excellent communication skills
Desirable criteria
- Able to supervise students
Experience and professional development
Essential criteria
- Experience of working with children & Young People within a hospital setting
- Experience of providing therapeutic preparatory and distractive play to children & Young People
- Experience of working with parents and families
Desirable criteria
- Experience of working within a play specialist team
- Evidence of ongoing professional development
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.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Claire Sharples
- Job title
- Matron
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0161 922 4 242
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