This post sits in the children's department at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, a specialist hospital and London trauma hub. The work centres on specialised play for babies, children and young people, using play to communicate, assess, plan and support patients and their families. Shifts vary between fast-paced periods and longer-term input, with exposure to specialisms such as oncology, transplant and children's intensive care. Current HPSET registration and a healthcare play specialism qualification, held or due by summer 2026, decide fit.
What the job involves
- Introduce play to communicate with and support babies, children and young people
- Assess, plan and deliver specialised play interventions
- Build partnerships with families and siblings
- Contribute to multi-professional team care
- Support team referrals
- Document play input
- Share important information with other professionals
- Create a welcoming, safe and age-appropriate environment for all babies, children and young people
What’s required
Qualifications
- Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
- Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism, HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent
- Health Play Specialist qualification, held or due by summer 2026
- Documented continuing professional development and up-to-date professional portfolio
Registration & licences
- Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent
- Registered with SOHPS
Experience
- Good foundation of clinical experience with children and families in hospital and/or community
- Experience with children with additional needs, such as challenging behaviour, neurodiversity, disabilities and multiple health needs
- Specialist knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions for the patient group
- Experience and confidence with specialised play interventions in healthcare
Skills & knowledge
- General, current working knowledge of children's legislation
- Familiarity with games, activities and devices enjoyed by all ages and stages
- Ability to recognise stress in self and others and take appropriate action
- Ability to motivate and prioritise workload for self and others
- Ability to take a diplomatic approach to practice and management issues
- Ability to build effective working relationships at multi-professional team level
Nice to have
- Additional training relevant to the role
- Communication strategies such as Makaton
- Experience of audit procedures
- Experience and confidence working with adolescents
- Experience working with a multi-professional team
- Ability to contribute to teaching programmes for students and affiliated staff
- Ability to apply and evaluate independent projects in the workplace
What’s offered
- Career development
- Flexible working and wellbeing support
- Staff recognition scheme
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Car lease scheme
- Season ticket loan
- Membership options for onsite leisure facilities
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
