About this role
Job summary
The Senior Health Play Specialist is a senior member of the Play Team with responsibility for providing leadership and professional oversight within the Play Department, cross-site under the supervision and support of the Matrons.
The post holder ensures the planning, coordination and delivery of safe, high-quality play programmes across all aspects of hospital play provision, in line with Trust policies and national standards.As a senior practitioner, the post holder with support from the Matrons holds line management responsibility for a designated team, providing supervision, appraisal, and day-to-day management, and supports the development of staff through mentoring Health Play Specialist students and supervising volunteers. The role includes acting as the named specialist for a ward, ensuring effective communication and multidisciplinary working.
Main duties of the job
o The post holder will hold responsibility for ensuring there is an up to date 'Play Strategy' for LGT with clear aims and objectives.o The post holder will manage a team with support from the Matrons, which includes being responsible for annual appraisals, monthly 1:1s and approving annual leave and absence.o Advise and support Playworker, Health Play Specialists, and Students.o To be a support for the Play team with safeguarding concerns and attend safeguarding meetings regularly.o Organise and chair with support from the matrons play meetings monthly.o Receive, allocate and action patient referrals appropriately for specialised play.o To ensure all areas are compliant with CQC standards related to Play.o To ensure all areas have resources that meet IPC standards and have robust cleaning schedules in line with trust policy.o To ensure all areas are regularly auditing against national and local standards related to Play such as the Play Well standards.o To design, plan and deliver high quality health play services for babies, children and young people.o To contribute to projects such as the Autism accreditation project, compassion in care and embedding these standards.o To ensure the LGT Play department can meet the needs of patients who present to hospital with emotional or behavioural dysregulation whilst maintaining the safety of the patient and staff i.e Camhs patients.o To ensure there is equity in standards cross-site and amongst all areas.
About us
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities
Work force Lead a team of Play Specialists, Play workers and volunteers across eight paediatric areas in conjunction with the Ward Sisters and Matrons to deliver high quality play for patients cross-site. Hold responsibility for Play in an area.Financial Have an understanding of the Play budgets available on each site, how to access it, ensuring all areas have the resources required. Works within the budgetary requirements whilst maintaining standards of Play. Ensures the Play department becomes more cost effective. Oversees stock control of resources, collaboration and reduces waste.Partnerships Communications and Relationships To work alongside the MDT to promote play. To initiate and maintain relationships with groups such as the Youth Board, STPN and trust charitable funds.General Prepare the orientation of new members of staff within the Play team. Attend relevant meetings and participate in discussions relating to the improvement of the service. Act as a change agent where necessary Ensure all Trust and national policies and procedures are adhered to. Be aware of operational personnel issues relevant to the directorate includingmanagement of absence and sickness, disciplinary and recruitment matters. Ensure own continuing professional development and identify own PersonalDevelopment Plan. Encourage the educational development of other staff within the team in liaison with the PDNs. Act as a supervisor for Hospital Play Specialist students and work experience students. Act as a role model and Play expert for the MDT. Encourage other staff to keep abreast of new developments and encourage the exchange of information, ideas and experiences.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
A recognised Health Play Specialism qualification. Current registration with the society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS). You will be required to remain registered with The Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust (HPSET) whilst in post. Equality & Diversity knowledge.
Experience Essential
Experience of working as a Health Play Specialist with children in a hospital setting. Experience of assessing patients' needs to provide specialised play, therapeutic distraction, preparation and post procedural play. Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, and confidence adapting play, communication and preparation to meet different needs. Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and have ability to communicate effectively at all levels.
Desirable
Experience of completing appraisals/1:1's. Experience of leading a team.
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.
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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address University Hospital Lewisham
London
SE13 6LH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)