Job summary
At The Grand Appeal - Wallace & Gromit's Grand Appeal, we believe every child deserves the very best care, comfort and support during some of the most challenging moments of their lives. For over 30 years, The Grand Appeal has worked in partnership to support Bristol Children's Hospital and St Michael's Hospital transforming children's healthcare. We are now looking for a compassionate, enthusiastic and experienced Oncology Health Play Specialist to join our dedicated Play Team on a two-year fixed-term contract. This is an exciting opportunity to support children and young people receiving cancer treatment on Starlight Ward at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children (BRHC). This post is employed and funded by The Grand Appeal and is based within the Play Department at BRHC. The successful candidate will hold an honorary contract with Bristol NHS Foundation Trust and will receive day-to-day line management from the Senior Health Play Specialist. Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, you will provide specialist therapeutic play interventions that help children and young people understand, prepare for and cope with hospital treatment and procedures. Through play, distraction techniques and emotional support, you will help reduce anxiety, promote resilience and improve each child's hospital experience.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver specialist therapeutic play interventions for children and young people receiving oncology care.
• Assess patients' developmental, emotional and psychosocial needs and develop individual play plans.
• Prepare children and young people for medical procedures using evidence-based therapeutic play techniques.
• Support patients during procedures through distraction therapies and emotional reassurance.
• Respond to referrals from the multidisciplinary team and work collaboratively to deliver holistic patient-centred care.
• Promote normal play opportunities that support children's emotional, social, developmental and creative needs during hospital admission.
• Work alongside the Health Playworker to prioritise patient care and ensure effective service delivery.
• Supervise students, volunteers, visitors and entertainers within the hospital environment.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation and contribute to service development and quality improvement initiatives.
• Uphold the values, policies and professional standards of both The Grand Appeal and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.

About us
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston. With an annual turnover of £2.6 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Chaired by Ingrid Barker and led by Maria Kane as Chief Executive, Bristol NHS Foundation Trust aims to transform the way healthcare is delivered locally with a clear focus on making a difference for what we call our Four Ps: Better outcomes for our Patients, More opportunities for our People, Fairer more consistent care for our Population, Best Value for Public Purse.

Details
Date posted: 29 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 4
Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a yearSalary pay scales are enhanced in comparison with NHS Pay grades
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 2 years
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 387-WC6933-LC
Job locations: Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Play Department, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, BS3 8JB, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
For a more detailed list of the main responsibilities of the role, please see the attached job description, personal specification and duties.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Foundation Degree (FdA) in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent
• Current HPSET registration (or overseas equivalent) or be in the process of re-registering. You will be required to remain registered with HPSET (or overseas equivalent) whilst in post

Knowledge and skills
Essential

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Excel and other in-house systems
• Promotes positive working relationships with all colleagues within the play team and wider multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work under pressure and manage conflicting demands
• Ability to work under own initiative and to motivate others

Desirable

• Excellent time management skills

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working as a Health Play Specialist with children in a hospital setting
• 2 years' experience of working in a play/early years/education/youth work setting
• Excellent knowledge of child development
• Experience of assessing patients' needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play

Desirable

• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.