Play Specialist
| Posting date: | 05 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £27,485.00 to £30,162.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £27485.00 - £30162.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 February 2026 |
| Location: | Swindon, SN3 6BB |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9249-26-0090 |
Summary
1. To act as an advocate for the child and family 2. Encourage and support parents to participate in play with their children 3. To provide preparation for children undergoing treatment and medical procedures 4. Explain reasons for treatment or the nature of the illness on a level that the child can understand 5. Ensure that information given to the child/family is consistent and presented in a professional manner 6. Educate and empower parents as necessary on the benefits of play and how to facilitate appropriate play to enhance the childs development and recovery 7. Implement distraction/coping strategies 8. To work in conjunction with the Play Specialist team and Co-ordinator to develop the provision of play 9. To apply evidence-based practice to areas of your work 10. To use knowledge to select and apply appropriate techniques to facilitate children and young people to overcome difficulties with hospital admission and procedures 11. Assess, plan and implement play programmes for a varied client group 12. Select monitor and advise on play resources required to reflect the need of the client group 13. To provide emotional support for families when in crisis or under stress 14. To establish and maintain effective communication both verbal and written with all members of the multidisciplinary team throughout the hospital 15. To ensure all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean and safe, maintained to comply with Trust policies, and stored safely. 16. To attend clinics as requested to prepare the child psychologically for procedures and provide distraction therapy 17. Provide teaching sessions to other staff and students as required to promote an awareness of the therapeutic benefits of play and the effects of hospitalisation 18. Through play provide support to assist children in understanding and coping with serious illness, disability or death. 19. To demonstrate and apply knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation and illness on the child/family 20. To review and reflect on your own practice and attend an annual appraisal. 21. To participate in ongoing professional development 22. Recognise and respond appropriately to emergency situations 23. To provide supervision and support to junior team members