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- Tasks: Provide therapeutic play and emotional support to children in healthcare settings.
- Company: Join Hywel Dda University Health Board, a leading NHS provider in Wales.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real difference.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of children's healing through play and creativity.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered Health Play Specialist or qualifying soon.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and bilingual support.
The predicted salary is between 23800 - 25800 £ per year.
Utilise clinical skills, experience and knowledge to assess patient needs allowing for appropriate prioritisation of therapeutic play preparation, distraction, and emotional support for babies, children and young people (BCYP), seeking advice from manager when necessary.
Provide developmental, therapeutic and specialised play techniques creating individual play programmes for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional trauma within families.
Support the development and management of systems to ensure smooth transition of care for BCYP from one area of the hospital to another, and from other health settings/community care providing age-appropriate information about the patient's care and treatment.
Actively contribute to elements of projects and health board events as delegated, whilst ensuring time is managed effectively to maintain clinical responsibilities.
Help to organise and participate in fundraising events.
Participate in the development and promotion of therapeutic play services throughout Hywel Dda and more widely.
Main duties of the job:
- Providing a comprehensive programme of therapeutic play interventions through one to one sessions or group work.
- Providing specific therapeutic play and support to children and young people in health care settings.
- Providing expertise underpinned by theory, education and training in therapeutic play to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Health, Social Care team and third sector agencies.
- Maintaining, developing, and evaluating the therapeutic play service to create a service that remains fit for the future.
The ability to travel between sites in a timely manner is essential as this post will cover three counties. The post will be based in the Children's Centre, Glangwili General Hospital, Carmarthen.
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.
Interviews will be held on 02/03/2026.
Applications are welcome from students due to qualify in 2026. Appointment will be subject to successful completion of professional registration with Society of Health Play Specialists which must be confirmed as part of pre-employment checks. The successful candidate will not be able to commence in post until registration has been obtained.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents.
The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Qualifications and knowledge:
- FdA Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex / BTEC in Specialised play for the sick child (previous HPSC/ HPSEB), or international equivalent.
- Registered Health Play Specialist with Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS).
- Knowledge and Understanding of the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Standards and its application in practice.
- Knowledge and understanding of child development.
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children and young people.
- Sound knowledge of safeguarding issues.
- Demonstrable CPD in line with expectations of SoHPS registration.
- Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Maths (GCSE Grade A* - C).
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA).
- Training in counselling skills.
Experience:
- Experience in working with children and young people with complex, medical and psychological needs, in health, social care or educational setting.
- Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.
- Welsh speaker (Level 1).
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Part-time
Salary: £27,898 to £30,615 a year per annum pro rata
Health Play Specialist in Carmarthen employer: Hywel Dda University Health Board
Contact Detail:
Hywel Dda University Health Board Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Health Play Specialist in Carmarthen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the healthcare sector, especially those who work with children and young people. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to therapeutic play. Think about how you can showcase your clinical skills and experience in a way that resonates with the interviewers.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just wait for job alerts! Regularly check our website for new opportunities. We often post roles that might not be advertised elsewhere, so keep an eye out!
✨Tip Number 4
Show your passion for play therapy during interviews. Share specific examples of how you've used play techniques to support children and families. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
We think you need these skills to ace Health Play Specialist in Carmarthen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of a Health Play Specialist. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for therapeutic play shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your commitment to supporting children and young people in healthcare settings.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your sentences are easy to read and your ideas flow logically. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people and helps us keep track of all applications efficiently!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hywel Dda University Health Board
✨Know Your Play Techniques
Make sure you brush up on various therapeutic play techniques and how they can be applied to different age groups. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've used these techniques in the past, as this will show your practical knowledge and experience.
✨Understand the Role
Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Think about how your skills align with the needs of the role, especially in terms of supporting emotional and developmental needs of children and young people. This will help you articulate why you're a great fit.
✨Show Your Passion
During the interview, let your enthusiasm for working with children and young people shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to therapeutic play and how it can positively impact their lives.
✨Prepare Questions
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. This could be about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how the health board supports professional development. It shows you're genuinely interested and engaged with the role.
