Job summary
- Main area
- Play Specialist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 34.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 282-C1345
- Employer
- The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- The Royal Marsden Hospital
- Town
- Sutton
- Salary
- £32,199 - £34,876 Pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 06/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Play Specialist
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
We are seeking a motivated and experienced play specialist to join our Play Specialist Team.
The successful applicant will support children and young people undergoing treatment for cancer in the Children and Young Peoples Department. Applications are welcome from experienced play specialists with the Hospital Play Specialist Certificate (SOHPS) or the Health Play Specialist foundation degree.
Main duties of the job
This post is part of the play team on The Oak Centre for Children and Young People at The Royal Marsden Hospital. The post holder will plan, deliver and evaluate play and activities for the children/adolescents on the unit and act as deputy to the Senior Play specialist in her/his absence.
Working for our organisation
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We employ over 4,500 staff in a diverse range of careers including nursing, medical, science, radiography, pharmacy, occupational therapy, finance and administrative services. We have two hospitals – one in Chelsea, London, and one in Sutton, Surrey – as well as a Medical Daycare Unit in Kingston Hospital.
At The Royal Marsden, we deal with cancer every day, so we understand how valuable life is. When people entrust their lives to us, they have the right to demand the very best. That's why the pursuit of excellence lies at the heart of everything we do.
At the heart of the hospital is our dedicated team. We offer a stimulating and dynamic working environment, a wide range of staff benefits, learning and development opportunities and clear career pathways. There are opportunities to work flexibly across a range of areas and specialities and we welcome flexible working requests from point of hire to support employees work life balance. We are looking for employees who aspire to excellence, share our values and can play a crucial role in our on-going achievements.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For further information please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification
• To apply theoretical knowledge and evidence based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions.
• Under the direction of the Senior Play specialist, to organise, initiate and supervise play/activity facilities for children/adolescents, appropriate to their cognitive development, religion, culture and medical condition.
• To participate in the assessment of play/activities and the developmental needs of individual children/adolescents and to plan and implement play/activity programmes as part of their total care.
• To help develop the provision of activities for adolescents, from age 10 to 15 years.
• To assist in teaching the value of play/activities for the child/adolescent in hospital.
Person specification
Education/Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Hospital Play Specialist Certificate (SOHPS) or currently studying
Skills Abilities/knowledge
Essential criteria
- Ability to communicate with children and adolescents.
- Self-motivated
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work with families
- Ability to plan/design age appropriate play/developmental activities for children and adolescents.
- Able to work alone
Other
Essential criteria
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service
- Ability to carry out a range of departmental duties.
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.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Tanya Turner
- Job title
- Senior Play Specialist
- Email address
- [email protected]
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