Job summary
Employer heading
Senior Play Worker for Learning Disability and Autism
Band 4
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.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents please view the attachment.
Person specification
GOSH Culture and Values
Essential criteria
- Our Always Values
- Experience of working as part of a diverse team
- Experience of contributing to an inclusive workplace culture.
Academic/Professional qualification/Training
Essential criteria
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies
- Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Math’s (GCSE Grade A* - C)
Desirable criteria
- Educated to level 5 in relevant subject (Play work/Child Development/Therapeutic Play) •diploma of higher education (DipHE)
- Level 5 qualifications are - foundation degree, higher national diploma (HND), level 5 award, level 5 certificate, level 5 diploma, level 5 NVQ
Experience/Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Significant experience of working with babies, children, and young people with learning disabilities in a play, education or hospital setting.
- Experience of working with children and young people who are non-verbal.
- Knowledge and experience of varying communication methods i.e., Makaton/PECS
- Experience in working within a diverse team- promoting and celebrating inclusivity within the workplace culture.
- Experience of work and support for children and young people with learning disabilities.
- Experience of working with parents, professionals, and teams.
- Experience of team working.
- Knowledge and understanding of child development.
- Understanding and awareness of confidentiality and safeguarding.
- Understanding of professional boundaries and the sensitivities of working with families
- Knowledge of the value of play for children and young people in hospital.
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
- Completed Makaton Training within the last 5 years (any or all levels between 1-4)
Skills/Abilities
Essential criteria
- Ability to work with and provide activities to individual and groups of children and young people.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Understanding of professional boundaries of the role, and to know when to escalate
- Good organisational skills
- Health, safety, and risk awareness.
- Documentation and data input skills
- IT Skills- for word, excel and teams etc.
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Sallyanne Pitt
- Job title
- Head of Play
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0207 405 9200
- Additional information
Amy Sutton
Deputy Head of Play
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