Job summary
- Main area
- Play Team
- Grade
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Part time - 30 hours per week
- Job ref
- 419-7845038-PA-FH
- Employer
- York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- York Hospital
- Town
- York
- Salary
- £24,937 - £26,598 pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 08/04/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Play Assistant
Band 3
Please note that contact with applicants will usually be by email, and so please check all of your mail folders regularly (unfortunately some providers filter our messages into junk mail folders).
Our Values
- We are KIND
- We are OPEN
- We pursue EXCELLENCE
We are looking for applications from people who share our values to help make us a valued and trusted partner within our care system, that delivers safe effective care to our local population.
People for Patients. Our People, our Patients, our Priority
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Play Assistant to join our very well-established play team of Play Specialists, Leaders, Volunteers and Students. The role will involve working closely within the team and within the wider multi-disciplinary team, as well as, and most importantly, patients and families.
A strong candidate will have experience of working with children and young people (CYP), in settings where CYP require additional support and attention to help them through a potentially tough day. Having a deep caring nature and understanding of many issues children and young people face, physically, emotionally, and mentally, will help to provide the bespoke patient centred care that we strive to provide.
Main duties of the job
A typical day would involve getting to know the patients within various settings across the paediatric departments. This could be on the ward, the assessment unit, day unit, child development centre or the emergency department, depending on where your assistance is needed.
You will need to show ability to dive right into getting to know patients and families within a short period of time. Excellent communication is extremely important within this role. You would provide play and recreation that is adapted and suitable to the needs of a child, emotionally, physically, and developmentally.
Activities provided will be based around the patients' interests or in line with awareness days, weeks, or months. An understanding of CYP’s interests helps to adapt activities and play to their needs. It is important to have a great understanding of child development to be able to enable the recovery process through positive interactions and play.
There will also be an expectation to provide a stimulating environment, which includes cleaning play equipment, setting up activities and changing display boards to promote the awareness of health, safety, and education. The role will also involve gathering patient and family feedback so that we can improve our services. This list is extensive and will include other requirements of the role as and when needed.
Working for our organisation
Trust Information Pack:
https://yorkhospitals.pagetiger.com/hdjgxd
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
- Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
- 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
- A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
- Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
- NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
- An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
- Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Please note that if a high number of applications are received this advert may close early. You are advised to submit your application at the earliest opportunity.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.[email protected].
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britain’s Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
Person specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
- Level 3 or equivalent childcare and education/child development/play qualification
- Evidence of continued professional development
Experience and Knowledge Required
Essential criteria
- 2 years’ experience of previous employed role within childcare desirable e.g. nanny, day nursery or pre-school
- Planning and implementing activities
- Awareness of protocols and procedures, i:e risk assessments, cleaning policies
Desirable criteria
- Experience with children with additional needs and behaviours
- Experience with young adults
Skills and Attributes
Essential criteria
- Have an awareness of developmental needs and requirements
- Good communication skills including written Computer Literate
- Knowledge of the EYFS and Ofsted Statutory requirements
- Knowledge of child development
- Calm, approachable and organised manner.
- Good initiative, common sense and ability to put the children’s needs first
- Able to work independently, within a team, in partnership with parents and other professionals
Aptitude and Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Friendly and approachable, keen and enthusiastic
- Shows confidence in role with equality and fairness to others and have strong organisational skills and shows clear communication
- Willing to participate in extra-curricular activities e.g study days and supervision sessions
- Willing to work varying day shift patterns to cover the needs of the service
Values & Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours:
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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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
- Lynda Robson
- Job title
- Healthcare Play Specialist Team Leader
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01904 726017
- Additional information
Alternative contact number: 01904 726018
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