Health Play Specialist post with Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, supporting children and young people through hospital care. The role uses therapeutic play and creative activities to help children understand illness, procedures and hospital stays, and to reduce their anxiety. It involves individualised work with children, families and the multidisciplinary team, on a 7-day rota. Candidates need HPSET registration and a specialist play qualification.
What the job involves
- Use therapeutic play, creative activities and age-appropriate interventions to help children understand and cope with illness, procedures, treatment and hospital stays
- Reduce anxiety and promote emotional wellbeing in children and young people
- Support children's development through play
- Build trusting relationships and prepare children for unfamiliar experiences
- Provide individualised support that reflects each child's needs, abilities and circumstances
- Work closely with children, families and the wider multidisciplinary team
- Work across a 7-day rota
Qualifications
- Health Play Specialist foundation degree or Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People
Registration & licences
- Registered with HPSET
Experience
- Working within a hospital setting
- Experience of supervising students
- Experience of auditing play or distraction techniques
Skills & knowledge
- Knowledge of children's issues, including children with special needs
- Ability to communicate with children, adolescents and families
- Ability to plan and design age-appropriate play and developmental activities
- Ability to work within a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to complete tasks promptly and efficiently
- Understanding of health and safety issues
Other
- Self-motivated
- Safeguarding children awareness
- Commitment to support the Trust's values
- Adherence to the uniform policy
- Availability to work a 7-day rota
Nice to have
- Experience of working with children and adolescents with special needs, including challenging behaviour
- Experience of working in the hospital setting
- Awareness of children's health-related issues such as CAMHS, behavioural and developmental milestones
What’s offered
- Supportive working environment that nurtures wellbeing
- Opportunities for development and progression
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Contact Details:
The Methodist Church in Britain Recruitment Team
