Job summary
- Main area
- Paediatrics
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 4
- Contract
- 12 months (Fixed Term)
- Hours
- Part time - 27 hours per week (Weekend work required once a month)
- Job ref
- 425-26-8014311
- Employer
- Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Ryegate Children's Centre
- Town
- Sheffield
- Salary
- £28,392 - £31,157 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 02/07/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Play Leader
NHS AfC: Band 4
Job overview
Fixed Term | 12 Months
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the established Play Service at Sheffield Children’s Hospital on a part-time basis.
This is a varied and rewarding role that requires flexibility, as you will work across the Helena Specialist Nursing Team and Ryegate House, as well as supporting children and families through home and school visits. You will be joining a welcoming and experienced hospital play team.
As a Play Leader, you will be responsible for organising and delivering engaging, age-appropriate play and recreational activities for children and young people aged 0–19 years who attend Ryegate House or receive support in the community from the Helena team.
About You
- Childcare level 3 qualification
- Access to own car
Main duties of the job
Reporting into the Play specialist and Play Service Manager some of your responsibilities will include:
• Provide play services across all areas where children and young people are seen, with working hours aligned to their needs, including evenings and weekends.
• Deliver play activities that are tailored to the age, stage, and individual needs of children and young people across the Trust.
• Maintain a welcoming, safe, and age-appropriate environment for all children and young people accessing the service.
• Work alongside the Play Specialist to deliver a range of play and distraction programmes that support both developmental and therapeutic needs.
• Actively promote and contribute to the ongoing development of the play service across the organisation.
Working for our organisation
At Sheffield Children’s, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are Outstanding Patient Care, Brilliant Place to Work, and Leaders in Children’s Health.
We work with partners across local, regional, and national levels to deliver physical and mental healthcare in both acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are nationally and internationally recognised for their expertise.
We’re proud that 73% of colleagues would recommend Sheffield Children’s as a place to work, placing us among the top five NHS trusts in England — and the top-ranked trust in the North East and Yorkshire — in the latest NHS Staff Survey.
Our nearly 4,000 colleagues bring our CARE values — Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence — to life every day, creating a kind, welcoming environment where patients and families feel safe and supported.
As we approach our 150th anniversary this year, we’re excited to keep building our leadership in children's health, improve experiences for patients and staff, and focus on our communities and population health.
We also offer excellent benefits to support your wellbeing, with generous annual leave and pension schemes, health and wellbeing programmes, and exclusive discounts — helping you thrive at work and beyond.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
For more information on the main responsibilities for this post, please refer to the job description and person specification.
*** This role has been assigned the occupation code 6117 using the CASCOT coding tool. To check the eligibility of this code for sponsorship and right to work please visit - UKVI web address https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations/skilled-worker-visa-eligible-occupations-and-codes
Diversity Statement
At Sheffield Children’s, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and supports everyone’s success. We prioritise Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in our recruitment practices, creating a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds, including ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ members.
Recognising that inclusivity is an ongoing effort, we review our processes and welcome feedback to enhance our practices. A diverse team strengthens our organisation and the quality of care we deliver. For ideas on how we can improve, please contact our Recruitment Manager at [email protected]. Together, we’re building a workplace where everyone belongs.
#LI-Onsite
Person specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential criteria
- English Language GCSE A-C or Level 2 equivalent
- Level 3 Diploma in Childcare & Education / NNEB Diploma in Nursery Nursing
- NVQ Level 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development or other professional
- Childcare Qualification at Level 3 or above
Desirable criteria
- Hospital Play Certificate
- Play-work Sector Endorsed Foundation degree (PSEFD)
- 1 year experience working in a child care setting
- Documented evidence of Continued Professional Development
Experience
Essential criteria
- Working with children
- Able to support volunteers and play assistants
Desirable criteria
- Caring responsibilities Working within health service
Knowledge and skills
Essential criteria
- Family friendly environment
- Maintaining a safe environment
- Basic knowledge of Safeguarding/Child Protection
- To understand the importance of play to minimise the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family
- To promote development of child
- Written, verbal and non-verbal communication
- Organisational skills
- Numeracy and literacy skills
- Time-management skills
- To have basic key board / I.T. skills to effectively use hospital information systems, including inputting data
- To have up to date mandatory training in moving and handling techniques including wheel chairs, hoists and trolleys
- To have knowledge of child protection and safeguarding Level 1
- To have knowledge of Infection prevention and control measures
Desirable criteria
- Infection Control
- Knowledge of issues relating to consent, child protection and confidentiality
- Knowledge of developmental, therapeutic play, preparation and distraction for all age hospitalised children
- Ability to evaluate and reflect on own practice Food Handling
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
- Commitment to: Caring environment Flexible working
Desirable criteria
- Ability to be flexible within stated hours and areas of work.
Demonstrates Trust Values
Essential criteria
- Compassion Accountability Respect Excellence
Employer certification / accreditation badges
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
- Carly Alford
- Job title
- Team Manager
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0114 2260600
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