Job summary
The Play Specialist supports the emotional wellbeing and development of children and young people admitted to the acute paediatric ward by providing developmentally appropriate play and activities. The role focuses on helping children cope with hospitalisation, promoting normalisation, and supporting positive healthcare experiences in line with the NHS Play Well Toolkit.

The Play Specialist works as a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team , providing high-quality therapeutic play, preparation, and distraction to support children and young people.

Play Specialists use developmentally appropriate play to support children from infancy through adolescence, ensuring care is child-centred, inclusive, and tailored to individual needs. They work closely with families, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to enhance the overall patient experience and contribute to positive clinical outcomes.

Main duties of the job

• Provide therapeutic and developmentally appropriate play to support children's psychological, emotional and developmental needs during hospital admission and treatment, in line with Play Well standards for health play services.
• Use play to prepare, support and distract children before, during and after clinical procedures, helping reduce anxiety and potential trauma.
• Create and maintain safe, child-friendly environments that support normalisation, choice and autonomy for children and young people.
• Advocate for the child's voice and preferences within the clinical setting, ensuring their needs and views inform care planning and delivery.
• Work collaboratively with families and the multidisciplinary team to enhance child-centred care and integrate therapeutic play into overall treatment plans.
• Observe, record and communicate children's responses, behaviour and coping strategies to inform ongoing care and service quality.
• Support inclusive play by attending to diverse needs (age, developmental stage, cultural background, communication needs) and using resources appropriately.
• Maintain accurate documentation, uphold health and safety, infection prevention and safeguarding policies, and ensure play equipment is clean and appropriate for purpose.

About us
A wide range of staff benefits are available to our staff including staff development, enrolment in the NHS pension scheme, auto-enrolment to our Temporary Workforce Service, access to onsite nurseries. staff restaurants and accommodation.

In addition to an internal Occupational Health department, all staff also have access to free psychological support through our confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Onsite parking is available from only £50 a year.

There has never been a better time to join East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, submit your application today.

Statement on the Use of AI
We value the individuality that each candidate brings to the application process. While we understand that AI tools are widely available, we strongly discourage applicants from using AI-generated content when applying for jobs with us. We believe that your application should reflect your true skills, experiences, and motivations, which are best conveyed through your own words and unique perspective.

Using AI for your application may not accurately represent your knowledge, skills, and experience and may result in a disconnect between your qualifications and our assessment of your application.

We encourage applicants to take the time to thoughtfully complete their applications; by doing so, you allow us to better understand your true potential and ensure a fair and transparent evaluation of your application. Over reliance on AI-generated content may diminish your chance of success.

Job responsibilities
Please refer to the job description attached.

If you have any questions about this position please do not hesitate to contact us.

Qualifications / Training
Essential

• Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Children
• Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or similar
• Current registration with HPSET (Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust)

Desirable

• Hospital Play Specialist Qualification
• Evidence of healthcare related training Membership of professional body eg. NAHPS

Experience
Essential

• Experience with working with children and young people in a hospital or healthcare setting

Desirable

• Experience working with children with additional/complex needs

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of child development
• Able to plan preparative, distraction and post procedural play
• Effective communicator with good written and spoken English

Desirable

• Able to use own initiative
• Able to remain calm in emergency situation

other
Essential

• Maintain professional image

Desirable

• Flexibility in working shifts as well as in different environments

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 (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust is an equal opportunities employer.