Play Specialist Truro

Job summary

create a welcoming, safe and caring environment that encourages children to take part in play activities

• act as an advocate for children and young people in their interactions with the healthcare team




• use play to help children and young people settle into life in hospital, to help them prepare for medical procedures and to help calm and distract them during these procedures, facilitating their consent and compliance




• use play to help children reach developmental targets, learn new skills and relearn skills they may have lost during their illness




• facilitate social interaction to help patients and their families to make friends and find support from others in the wards




• observe children playing either in a dedicated playroom, in the ward or at their bedside




• share your assessments and observations with other members of the health team, including speech and language therapists, doctors, nurses and physiotherapists, to support their long-term care plan




• liaise with health play specialists in the community and in hospices to ensure continuity of play interventions




• support families under stress and advise them on how they can use play with their children to help them cope with their diagnosis and treatment




• promote the importance of play and awareness of children's emotional needs during their illness




• ensure all toys and other play facilities are cleaned, maintained and stored safely.

Main duties of the job

act as an advocate for children and young people in their interactions with the healthcare team

plan and implement a range of age-appropriate play, drama, art and craft activities for children and young people, both individually and in groups

use play to help children and young people settle into life in hospital, to help them prepare for medical procedures and to help calm and distract them during these procedures, facilitating their consent and compliance

About us

Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) is at the heart of acute and specialist care for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. We care for a population of around 470,000 people, a number that increases during visitor seasons. We employ around 6,700 staff, united by a shared commitment to deliver safe, high-quality care. We provide services across three main hospital sites, with around 780 inpatient beds:

• Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro




• St Michael's Hospital in Hayle




• West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance

As a teaching hospital, we’re proud to work in partnership with the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Plymouth School of Nursing and Midwifery, and Peninsula Dental School, supporting the next generation of health professionals. We are committed to staying at the forefront of medical advance; investing in our people, developing our facilities, and expanding the specialist care we can offer locally so more patients can receive the care they need closer to home. We have a growing reputation for research and innovation that helps shape better care for the future. The Knowledge Spa, located on our Truro site, is a vibrant hub for medical, nursing and professional education across clinical and non-clinical roles. It plays a vital role in attracting, developing and retaining highly skilled teams.

We are driven by one clear ambition, Outstanding Care for One and All, care that's safe, kind and high-quality. We are RCHT.

Details

Date posted: 11 September 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £32,073 to £39,043 a year
Pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time

Reference number: 156-8182772

Job locations: Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, TR1 3LJ, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

To be an employee of the NHS you need to successfully complete the following:

• Identity Checks




• Professional registration and qualification checks




• Employment history and reference checks




• Occupational Health clearance




• Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service check




• Right to work in the UK

Person Specification

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• Registered Health Play Specialist




• Edexcel Level 4 Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People or HPSC/HPSEB

Desirable

• Membership of professional body (NAHPS

Practical and Intellectual skills

Essential

• Knowledge of and ability to apply therapeutic interventions for children experiencing extreme difficulties with hospitalisation, treatment and chronic illness.

Desirable

• Experience of mentorship

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with complex referrals and managing own caseload.




• Experience of teaching, training, assessment and supervision of students and or volunteers of all levels

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name: Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust

Address: Royal Cornwall Hospital, Treliske, Truro, TR1 3LJ, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.royalcornwall.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Matron for Paediatrics

Carrie Jones

carrie.jones1@nhs.net

07780662652

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

Additional information

We reserve the right to close this advert early.

We may be able to offer flexible working. Please discuss at interview.

We may be able to offer sponsorship but this is not guaranteed.