Paediatric Health Play Specialist

Health play specialist post in the Play Team within the Paediatric Department at Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust, sitting within the multidisciplinary healthcare team. The role plans, delivers and evaluates therapeutic play for babies, children and young people, aiming to reduce anxiety and help children and families cope with hospital and the move back home. It covers all paediatric areas of the acute hospital, with occasional work in other clinical areas, and includes service development and quality improvement work.

Fit depends on a BTEC or equivalent in hospital play and SoHPS registration, and no visa sponsorship is available.

• Provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play interventions for babies, children and young people
• Meet emotional, social and developmental needs, reducing anxiety and emotional trauma for children and families
• Support positive coping and bridge the gap between hospital and home
• Plan, deliver and evaluate age-appropriate play programmes for babies, children, young people and families
• Advocate for therapeutic play and promote it within the multidisciplinary team, including students and learners
• Work flexibly across all paediatric areas of the acute hospital and occasionally in other clinical areas
• Contribute to Play Service projects, service development and quality improvement initiatives

• BTEC or equivalent in hospital play

• SoHPS registration
• Maintained professional registration in line with national standards

• Experience working with babies, children and young people

• Expert knowledge of using play to support babies, children and young people, well and unwell
• Working independently with initiative, organisation, leadership and time management

• Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism

• Development and career opportunities across the Trust