About this role
Job summary
The post holder will be one of a team of play specialists. You will work to ensure high quality play provision for patients and siblings. Prepare the child and family for treatments and procedures. Facilitate emotional support and help to establish coping strategies. The post will be predominantly in the children's unit, but also you may be required in other areas of the hospital where children are being cared for.
This is an apprenticeship role, and the post holder will be required to gain substantial new knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) as part of the apprenticeship standard and undertake a range of duties relevant to the role. *The post holder will complete a Level 5 Health Play Specialist Apprenticeship Standard with Southampton Solent University.
Successful candidates will be appointed at Band 3 , 2 year secondment /Fixed term contract while undertaking the Play Specialist Apprenticeship. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will progress to a permanent Band 4 Play Specialist position.
Main duties of the job
A hospital play specialists main duties include implementing therapeutic and developmental play to help children cope with illness and hospitalisation, preparing them for medical procedures through age-appropriate explanations and play techniques, and supporting their emotional well-being by reducing anxiety and distress. They also work to maintain cognitive, social, and physical development during hospital stays, collaborate with families and healthcare teams to improve communication and involvement, and advocate for the child's needs to ensure a positive, child-centered care experience.
About us
We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.
Job description Job responsibilities
Provide and maintain a safe, childfriendly, welcoming environment that promotes play, normality, and routine during hospital admission. Create, plan, and implement individual and group play programmes, adapting activities to accommodate the childs medical needs, frequent interruptions, and any physical, environmental, or emotional limitations.
Please see attached full Job Description
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Professional childcare qualification level 3 or equivalent and a willingness to work towards the HPS qualification. English and Maths GCSE A- C or Levels 9-4 or equivalent qualifications
Experience Essential
Post qualification experience within a childcare or healthcare setting
Desirable
Experience of working with children with special needs or challenging behaviours
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).
Employer details Employer name Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Great Western Hospital
Marlborough Road
Swindon
SN3 6BB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)