Job summary
The Senior Health Play Specialist will provide specialist skills and knowledge to support the Therapeutic & Specialist Play Service Manager within the organisation and delivery of Play Services for all patients within Paediatric Services for Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital and Trafford Hospital. She/he will deputise for the Therapeutic & Specialised Play Service Manager when she/he is annual leave.

Under the leadership and guidance of the Therapeutic & Specialist Play Service Manager and in partnership with all Healthcare Providers, the post holder will ensure that all Play Services are high quality, culturally sensitive, equitable, accessible, effective, evidence based, consistent and reliable.

Main duties of the job

• Provide effective leadership of Health Play Specialists and Play Leaders in conjunction with the Therapeutic & Specialised Play Service Manager.
• Assist in setting, monitoring and maintaining professional standards, collaborative working and contribute to Clinical Governance at ward/department level.
• Assist the Therapeutic & Specialised Play Service Manager with daily operational tasks and also deputise when required when the manager is on leave.
• Be visible and accessible in clinical areas for patients, relatives and staff supporting the patient referral system.
• Lead by example and act as a positive role model for all staff taking responsibility for own professional development.
• Provide leadership and patient care that promotes best patient outcomes.

About us
Join Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) and become part of a 30,000 plus strong team, delivering exceptional care to over 1 million people every year. As the largest provider of specialist services, and our Oxford Road Campus in Manchester, the largest health academic campus in Europe, we are forward-thinking, committed to clinical excellence and driven to deliver innovation, and continuous improvement.Whether you're beginning your career or taking the next step, MFT offers a stimulating and supportive environment where your contribution truly matters. Our Hive Electronic Patient Record system enables safer, smarter, and more efficient ways of working - empowering you to deliver the best possible outcomes for our patients.You'll be part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community, working alongside professionals from a wide range of clinical backgrounds. Together, we push boundaries, share knowledge, and deliver care that transforms lives.At MFT, you'll find a workplace where everyone is respected, supported, and encouraged to thrive. We offer clear clinical pathways for professional development, helping you grow your skills and achieve your ambitions.Your journey at MFT is more than a job - it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact. We'll support you as you shape the future of healthcare, one patient at a time.

Job responsibilities
To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience youll need for this role, take a look at the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the Documents to download heading.

Explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place
To help you feel confident, prepared and fully informed before you apply, we invite you to explore Inside MFT Your Candidate Place. This welcoming onestop hub gives you a real sense of who we are, what we stand for, how we reward and support you, and the many ways we care for you as you care for others. Youll also find practical hints and tips for submitting a great application, along with the essential information you need to know before you apply.

To access Inside MFT Your Candidate Place, simply click on the relevant PDF document under the Documents to download heading and once opened, you can either scan QR code or click on the link provided.

Closing vacancy listings early
We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.To help us manage applications fairly and give each one the time it deserves, our adverts may close early if we receive a high level of interest. Early applications are therefore encouraged.

Diversity Matters MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, celebrating and valuing diversity and eliminating any form of unlawful discrimination across our workforce, ensuring our people are truly representative of the communities we serve. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply for this post. As an inclusive employer, we are here to support you. If you have any special requirements to help you with your application, please contact the manager named below.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in your application
Here at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, were proud to be ALL HERE FOR YOU, for our patients, our communities, and each other.As part of our commitment to fairness, transparency, and personal integrity, we ask all applicants to ensure that their job applications reflect their own experiences, skills, and motivations. While AI tools can support spelling, grammar, or formatting, we expect that the content of your application, especially personal statements and responses to role specific questions is written by you. This helps us get to know the real you and ensures that our recruitment process remains equitable and meaningful for everyone.

Thank you for helping us uphold the values that make our Trust a place where people belong, grow, and thrive. We look forward to receiving your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
As part of our commitment to safeguarding patients and staff, many roles at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) require a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. This is a standard process across the NHS and helps us ensure a safe environment for everyone.

What is a DBS Check?
A DBS check is a background check that reveals any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, or warnings. The level of check required depends on the role:
Standard DBS: Checks for spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands, and final warnings.
Enhanced DBS: Includes the above, plus any additional information held by local police thats considered relevant to the role.
Enhanced with Barred Lists: Includes all of the above, plus checks against the childrens and/or adults barred lists.
Who Needs a DBS Check
Most roles involving direct patient contact, working with children or vulnerable adults, or access to sensitive information will require a DBS check. The job advert and recruitment team will let you know if this applies to your role.
The Costs for a DBS
At Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), roles that require a DBS check are subject to a cost recovery policy. This means that the cost of submitting and processing a DBS application if you are successful and join us, will be deducted from your salary within the first three months of employment. If, however, you withdraw from a conditional offer after the DBS process has begun, you will still be liable for the cost incurred.

For more information about the cost of the various types of DBS, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dbs-fees-are-changing-in-december

DBS Update Service
Candidates are also expected to register with the DBS Update Service which must be completed within 30 days of the certificate being issued. This helps streamline future employment checks and supports safer recruitment practices. For more information, please visit the DBS Update Service.

Person Specification
Experience and Evidence
Essential

• Previous experience of working as a practicing qualified and registered Play Specialist (minimum of five years)
• Experience of complex referrals working with all levels of Healthcare Professionals
• Use of audit
• Evidence based practice
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Working with children, families and staff with diversities.
• Benchmarking/Essence of Care
• Teaching & training
• Special needs experience
• Ordering/budget management
• Research

Desirable

• Youth worker experience
• Recruitment & retention

Skills
Essential

• Management or Leadership
• Clinical skills in all aspects of developmental, therapeutic & specialised play
• Ability to assist in the management of staff and provisions, Ability to liaise with professionals at all levels
• Ability to deal with difficult and challenging situations
• Ability to empower others
• Comprehensive ICT skills
• Proven communication skills/verbal & written
• Proven negotiation skills with various professionals
• Proven organisation skills
• Documentation and report writing skills Team player
• Excellent Interpersonal skills
• Able to work independently and show Initiative

Desirable

• Mentorship & Clinical supervision Research and audit skills
• Presentation/teaching skills

Qualifcations
Essential

• HPSET Certificate (NVQ Level 4) or Health Play Specialism Degree/ Foundation Degree (Registered)
• Also NNEB/Btec Diploma in Nursery Nursing/Child Care NVQ Level 4 or abov

Desirable

• Counselling Certificate
• Teaching Certificate
• Art Therapy
• Youth Work
• Special Needs
• Further knowledge through short courses to Degree Level

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of developmental, therapeutic & specialised play in hospital and the community.
• Leadership
• Understanding of the holistic needs of children, young people and their families
• Knowledge of developmental needs from birth to 18 years incorporating all special needs and cultures
• Awareness of National and International legislation relating the C&YP
• Understanding health & safety issues, confidentiality & data protection
• Knowledge of Clinical Governance and Department of Health Agendas

Desirable

• Leadership & Management Knowledge

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).

Employer details
Employer name
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://mft.nhs.uk/careers/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service Manager
Susan Fairclough
susan.fairclough@mft.nhs.uk
01617015652

Details
Date posted
01 September 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 6
Salary
£39,959 to £48,117 a year
Per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
349-SHCG-8199669-RL3
Job locations
Royal Manchester Children's Hospital
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9WL
United Kingdom

Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

© Crown copyright