Play Assistant
| Posting date: | 17 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £24,937.00 to £26,598.00 per year |
| Additional salary information: | £24937.00 - £26598.00 a year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 February 2026 |
| Location: | Swindon, SN3 6BB |
| Company: | NHS Jobs |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | C9249-26-0137 |
Summary
Play Provision and Environment Provide and maintain a safe, childfriendly, welcoming environment that promotes play, normality, and routine during hospital admission. Create, plan, and implement individual and group play programmes, adapting activities to accommodate the childs medical needs, frequent interruptions, and any physical, environmental, or emotional limitations. Ensure the playroom and bedside play spaces support the childs wellbeing, independence, and emotional security. Assessment, Observation and Documentation Assess each childs developmental, emotional, and therapeutic play needs, adapting programmes accordingly. Observe, evaluate, and document play sessions, contributing written playbased observations to the childs overall assessment in line with Trust and professional standards. Identify anxieties related to treatment, procedures, or safeguarding concerns and report promptly to Play Specialists or relevant professionals. Support for Children and Families Provide emotional, practical, and therapeutic support for children and their families during periods of stress or uncertainty. Play with and care for children when parents or carers are unable to be present. Act as an advocate for the child and family, ensuring dignity, confidentiality, and sensitivity at all times. Communicate effectively with children, young people, families, and staff using ageappropriate, accessible language. Teamwork and MultiDisciplinary Collaboration Participate as an active member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, sharing relevant information to support the childs care. Work in partnership with staff, students, and volunteers, offering guidance and modelling good practice in play. Support patientexperience activities Equality, Rights and Safeguarding Respect the values, cultural backgrounds, and religious beliefs of children and their families, ensuring inclusive and sensitive service delivery. Uphold and promote the Rights of the Child, as outlined by UNICEF. Recognise safeguarding concerns and respond appropriately following Trust procedures. Resources, Safety and Environment Management Monitor play resources, identifying when equipment requires replacement or repair, and inform senior staff or the Play Service Coordinator. Ensure all toys, equipment, and play areas are cleaned, checked, and maintained in compliance with Trust Health & Safety standards. Support safe movement of children, including assisting with buggies or wheelchairs, to enable participation in play. Assess and receive public toy donations, ensuring suitability and safety for the hospital environment. Professional Development Gain experience and broaden knowledge of the hospitalised childs developmental, emotional, and therapeutic needs. Reflect on personal practice through supervision and appraisal and maintain an uptodate professional portfolio. Attend training and courses to maintain current knowledge and best practice in healthcare play. Participate in audits and contribute to service improvement initiatives.