Job overview

There is an exciting opportunity to join our Play Team at GOSH as a Play Worker. 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 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 work flexibly with other Play Workers within the team, working alongside Healthcare Play Specialists.

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

• To organise and facilitate opportunities to play for individuals and groups of children / and young people.
•  Plan for uncertainty and adapt play sessions to meet the needs of the child/young person, be flexible in your approach and seek guidance where necessary.
• Assist in the creation of a caring and safe play environment for children / young people.
•  Encourage and support parents/carers and siblings to engage in play with their child / young person.
• Be ready with a range of activities which encourage independence, and wellbeing.
• Provide the opportunity for parents and patients to spend time independently of each other
• Toy cleaning - routinely in line with the department’s infection control policy and cleaning schedules.
• Work flexibly across Play team.
• To Communicate appropriately with children / families and all members of the multidisciplinary team.
• Ensure that activity data is maintained in accordance with unit and Trust standards.
• Refer children and young people who are anxious and require ongoing specialist interventions to your Play Specialist colleagues.

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.