Health Play Specialist Team Coordinator/Leader
| Posting date: | 16 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,419.00 to £55,046.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £46419.00 - £55046.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 July 2025 |
| Location: | London, SE5 9RS |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9213-25-0745 |
Summary
Clinical * To use play as a tool to communicate and build a rapport with CYP attending the hospital. * To manage and be responsible in use theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions in hospital, including distraction and preparations techniques. * To take individual referrals for CYP and their family members experiencing difficulty in managing hospital admissions/procedures. * To document and keep up to date therapeutic interventions and outcomes on electronic patients records. Activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards. (EPR) * To use skills, knowledge and experience to work as independent practitioner. * To promote awareness of the emotional needs of CYP in hospital and the importance of play within the multi-disciplinary team through teaching and presentations. * Attend MDT meeting and contribute to treatment and care plans. * To manage and be responsible for the assessment, implementation and the evaluation of play strategies which encompass the development and emotional needs of the CYP and their families or carers within the hospital setting * Devise play programmes for CYP in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan. * To plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes to include preparation for invasive and non-invasive procedures, distraction therapy and post procedural play. * To monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions using reflective practice to achieve best outcomes. * Support and involve parents in their CYP distraction and play plans. * To empathise with and provide and/or facilitate emotional support to families during times of stress or crisis, such as at a time of bereavement. * To create a welcoming, caring and safe play environment for the children / young people and their families. * To establish effective communication, both verbal and written, with all members of the multi-disciplinary team. * To establish communication links with other agencies / hospitals involved with the CYP. * To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team, contributing to patient treatment/care plans. * To provide play-based observations and therapeutic interventions to influence and support the overall assessment of the child. * To lead on working closely with the Hospital School to minimise the interruption and disruption to CYP education so that academic progress and an interest in learning will continue, as far as medical circumstances permit. * To contribute and provide expert knowledge when involved in specific projects, audits and plans sharing at a local level. * To lead in creating and development protocols, standards, guidelines and competencies for the department and devise standards for Play service * To be responsible for mentoring and clinically supervising, Play Specialists, Play Workers and Youth Workers in your team and help them to achieve core competencies and placement learning objectives. * To attend and facilitate as appropriate CYP service user groups to ensure the safe, meaningful and ethical participation of children and young people within the delivery of quality CYP services Training and Education. * To manage and participate in the departments in-service training programmes. * Plan, organise and implement team days. * Where appropriate represent King's trust and the Play Service at conferences and meetings presenting case studies and best practice. * To participate and lead in the orientation, training and supervision of students and Volunteers. * To deliver teaching session and participate in the training and education of other health care professionals to promote awareness of the therapeutic benefits of play in hospital, both internally and externally. People management and performance. * To manage own time to ensure balance between clinical and administrative activities. * To work within the Trusts clinical governance and quality processes by having knowledge and awareness of the organisations reporting and recording system for accident/incident involving staff, patients and visitors * To contribute and lead in the planning, evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols to ensure a consistent and high-quality service. * In conjunction with Senior colleagues identify and address the implications of audit findings and clinical incidents * To make an active contribution to producing and/or reviewing play-led clinical guidelines. * To produce appropriate play and youth work data or reports requested by management. * Complete risk assessments for Play areas and staff. * To attend CYP service user groups to ensure the safe, meaningful and ethical participation of children and young people within the delivery of quality child health services * Participate in performance appraisals and ensure each team member has a set of objectives and development plan. * To meet with Play & Youth team on a monthly basis to discuss working patterns, problem-solve and cascade information to promote a culture of openness and team working. * Manage team absences including sickness in line with the trusts policies. * Supervise and manage staff wellbeing and signpost to trusts wellbeing resources as well as supporting and improving the morale of the team. * To contribute to business plans as they pertain to the delivery of the play youth Services. * To meet with your line manager on a monthly basis for supervision and to share information about Trust, team / department developments. * To attend department meetings to share relevant information related to the Trust and the play department. * To oversee the selection, ordering and monitoring play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group, Specialist resources for the use in preparation and distraction will be ordered by the HPS. * To be responsible for maintaining the services play resources, in accordance with Trust health and safety infection control standards. * To manage Play & Youth Service charity account and work more widely * Liaise with charitable organisations, establishing good working relationships I identifying funding and support in identify for resources and opportunities for play and youth service. * Manage, implement the entertainment events programs for the in service. * To ensure compliance with the Trust's Equality and Diversity Policy, supporting the delivery of the Trusts Race Equality Scheme and the Trust's duty to positively promote race equality and equality of opportunity for disabled people ensuring services are responsive to the needs of equality groups Personal and Professional Development. * To be actively involved and lead in relevant special interest groups. * To participate in relevant internal learning opportunities, including the in-service training programme. * To keep records of training attended as part of Personal Development Plan and reflective practice. * To review and reflect on own practice through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal. * To comply with the NAHPS Code of Professional Conduct. HPSET standards and Trust policies. * To be pro-active in updating knowledge and understanding of current research and best practice. * To maintain a continuing professional portfolio in line with HPSET recommendations for re-registration, recording learning outcomes from practice and participation in internal and external development opportunities.