Play Specialist | Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
| Dyddiad hysbysebu: | 16 Mawrth 2026 |
|---|---|
| Cyflog: | Heb ei nodi |
| Gwybodaeth ychwanegol am y cyflog: | £32,199 - £34,876 pa incl. HCAS (Outer) |
| Oriau: | Llawn Amser |
| Dyddiad cau: | 15 Ebrill 2026 |
| Lleoliad: | Kingston, KT2 7QB |
| Cwmni: | Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust |
| Math o swydd: | Parhaol |
| Cyfeirnod swydd: | 7875929/ |
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Being a Play Specialist at Kingston Hospital isvaried, creativeand abrilliant place to grow your skills— all while supporting local children and families across Kingston and Richmond.
You’ll join a small, friendly team supporting children and young people, from a few days old right up to 18, across the paediatric ward, A&E, outpatient clinics and specialist services like oncology. You’ll be there for the quick visits, the long stays, and everything in between.
One minute you’re doing sensory play with a newborn, the next you’re building a train track with a three-year-old, distracting a nervous 10-year-old during an NG tube, or chatting with a teenager about hair loss, or who just needs a bit of normality in a very un-normal place. We're also big on creativity — sometimes that means using resources, sometimes it means making them yourself, all with the goal of helping children feel calmer, more prepared and more in control. It’s fast-paced, it’s unpredictable, and if you like thinking on your feet, you’lllove it here.
You’ll work across clinics like phlebotomy, dermatology and asthma, as well as dental, orthopaedics, ENTand day surgery.
This role is open toqualified Health Play Specialists, as well as second-year apprentices or students currently studying on the Health Play Specialist course.
If you’d like to see what life in the team really looks like, take a look at our candidate information pack.
Build onyourclinical experienceby supporting children through scans,procedures and longer-term treatment, including oncology care. You’ll rotateacross a24-bed inpatient ward, two HDU beds, the Physical Assessment Unit and outpatient clinics, which means lots of variety. Along the way, you’ll develop specialist skills, gain exposure to different clinical settings and build a strong foundation for future progression.
Key responsibilities
· Build relationships with children and young people through play, using approaches appropriate to their developmental and emotional needs.
· Assess individual needs and plan, deliver and evaluate therapeutic play interventions, including preparation for procedures, distraction techniques and post-procedural play.
· Create and maintain a safe, welcoming and stimulating play environment with inclusive and well-maintained resource.
· Record play interventions, outcomes and observations accurately in line with Trust policies and professional standards.
· Promote awareness of children’s emotional and developmental needs within the multidisciplinary team.
· Provide play-based observations to inform holistic care planning and liaise with external agencies, including the Local Education Authority where educational support is required.
· Respect the individuality, cultural background and beliefs of children and families while advocating for their needs.
Our play service is supported by Momentum and Kingston Hospital Charity, which means we can do more than just the basics.We’ve got a bright, purpose-built playroom that opens out onto a garden — somewhere children can get fresh air, move around and just feel a bit more like themselves.
We’re also able to bring things onto the ward that children wouldn’t usually expect in hospital — from visits byChelsea Football Clubandtherapy animals(including owls and ponies), to entertainers,puppet sessions, bake sales and toy events.
You’ll be encouraged to share ideas, get involved and help bring them to life as part of a creative, supportive team.
What skills/ qualifications do you need?
• A recognisedHealth Play Specialist qualification orto be a second-year apprentice/student on the Health Play Specialist course.
• Registration with the Society of Health Play Specialists (SOHPS), or eligibility to register.
• Experience supporting patients with SEND, and confidence adapting play, communication and preparation to meet different needs.
Staff benefits
• 27 days, plus 8 bank holidays, with additional leave for long service.
• Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, offering excellent retirement benefits, including employer contributions.
• Opportunities for professional development, including funding for further education, training, and courses relevant to the role.
• Discounts on a wide range of products and services, including high street stores, restaurants, and gym
***Please see the attached supporting document/s which contains more information about the role in the job description and person specification***
This advert closes on Monday 30 Mar 2026