About this role
Job summary Acorns Children's Hospice are looking for a Play & Activity Assistant to support children, young people and families to engage and participate in play and activity that enhances quality of life in our Three Counties Hospice, Worcester. You will provide high quality, holistic therapeutic play for all children, young people and their families across Acorns, enabling them to feel safe and at ease both within the hospice environment and in the community.
Main duties of the job Acorns Children's Hospice are looking for a Play & Activity Assistant to support children, young people and families to engage and participate in play and activity that enhances quality of life in our Three Counties Hospice, Worcester. You will provide high quality, holistic therapeutic play for all children, young people and their families across Acorns, enabling them to feel safe and at ease both within the hospice environment and in the community.
About us
Acorns is recognised as a great place to work because of our people. Our priority is that our people feel valued, whatever their background and experience, and wherever they work.
Job description Job responsibilities
Acorns Children's Hospice are looking for a Play & Activity Assistant to support children, young people and families to engage and participate in play and activity that enhances quality of life in our Three Counties Hospice, Worcester. You will provide high quality, holistic therapeutic play for all children, young people and their families across Acorns, enabling them to feel safe and at ease both within the hospice environment and in the community.
About the Role
At Acorns Children’s Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care for children, and young people with life-limiting and lifethreatening conditions, and we support their families through every step of their journey, and through transition. Our work is defined by compassion, expertise, and an unwavering belief that every child deserves comfort, dignity, and the chance to experience joy.
As a Play & Activity Assistant, you will:
Use your knowledge of child development theories through the life stages to support open ended play and adapt activities to each individual patient Help ensure that children and young people are introduced and encouraged to engage in a wide range of stimulating and creative activities by interaction and play, both in and out of doors, encouraging the use of local community facilities where appropriate Ensure that the child’s or young person’s psychological and social needs are met as well as their physical care and participate in the development of the service Organise and support family splash, play and group activities within the hydrotherapy pool Empower children, young persons and their relatives to make decisions about their care and to exercise choice
About You
Experience of delivery play-based activity to children and young people Experience of working with children with complex health needs
What We Offer
£27,000 to £27,540 per annum 37.5 hours per week Based in our Three Counties Hospice, Worcester (WR5 3EZ) Employee discounts from leading retailers – including the Blue Light Card Discounts on refurbished tech Eye Test discount Health cash plan Gym membership and equipment discount scheme Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment Wellbeing, legal and financial support Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme
Interviews are scheduled to be held on 22 June
You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check for children and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references. In addition, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of immunisation against specific diseases or confirm their willingness to receive the necessary vaccinations.
As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Children’s Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.
If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]
Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Standard general level of education
Desirable
Play and activity related qualification
Experience Essential
Experience of delivering play-based activity. Working with children with complex health needs
Desirable
Working in a palliative care setting. Delivering group activity sessions
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.
Employer details Employer name Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust
Address Three Counties Hospice
350 Bath Road
Worcester
Worcestershire
WR5 3EZ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.acorns.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)