Play Specialist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time
- Posted
- 19/08/2026
- Closes
- 02/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Candidates needing sponsorship are encouraged to apply.
HiveMind found a sponsorship-friendly statement in the source advert welcoming applicants who require a visa. Always confirm on the source before applying.
“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.”Quoted verbatim from the source advert
Role summary
This role is for a dynamic Band 4 Health Play Specialist to join the Play Service Team at Leicester Children's Hospital. The specialist will implement developmental, therapeutic, and specialised play for children aged birth to 16 years, supporting them through their hospital journey. Responsibilities include preparation, distraction, and post-procedural play techniques, requiring excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Core shifts cover a 7-day period, including some weekends and bank holidays.
Essential criteria
- Good general secondary education
- NNEB/DCE/Btec National Diploma in Nursery Nursing
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Hospital Play Specialist qualification and registered with HPSET
- Minimum of 2 years experience working in a relevant child-care setting
Desirable criteria
- Minimum of 1 years experience working in a Healthcare setting
- Communication and relationship skills
- Able to identify the developmental needs of children aged 0-8 years
- Ability to provide appropriate play/recreational activities to meet the developmental needs of children
- Ensure that written information is up to date, filed and easily retrievable
- Excellent oral and written communication and listening skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of good practice
- Ability to be cost effective
- Physical Skills
- Ability to undertake manual and non-manual handling safely
- Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
- Analytical and Judgement skills
- Ability to impart skills and knowledge relating to the play/developmental needs of children to others
- Ability to apply theory to practice to support professional judgements
- Planning and organisation skills
- Awareness of responsibility for maintaining standards and accurate data collection
- Professional awareness
- Time management
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
- All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
- Other requirements specific to the role
- To participate and undertake training and education as directed
- Training & Qualifications
- Good general secondary education
- NNEB/DCE/Btec National Diploma in Nursery Nursing
- Evidence of continued professional development
- Hospital Play Specialist qualification and registered with HPSET
- Minimum of 2 years experience working in a relevant child-care setting
- Minimum of 1 years experience working in a Healthcare setting
- Communication and relationship skills
- Able to identify the developmental needs of children aged 0-8 years
- Ability to provide appropriate play/recreational activities to meet the developmental needs of children
- Ensure that written information is up to date, filed and easily retrievable
- Excellent oral and written communication and listening skills
- Demonstrate an understanding of good practice
- Ability to be cost effective
- Physical Skills
- Ability to undertake manual and non-manual handling safely
- Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours
- Must be able to demonstrate behaviours consistent with the Trust's Values and Behaviours
- Analytical and Judgement skills
- Ability to impart skills and knowledge relating to the play/developmental needs of children to others
- Ability to apply theory to practice to support professional judgements
- Planning and organisation skills
- Awareness of responsibility for maintaining standards and accurate data collection
- Professional awareness
- Time management
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to and understanding of the importance of treating all individuals with dignity and respect appropriate to their individual needs
- All staff are expected to engage in compassionate and inclusive leadership in the provision of high quality care and interactions with others
- Other requirements specific to the role
- To participate and undertake training and education as directed
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £28,392 – £31,157 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 11d ago · Closes in 4d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Job summary
We are looking for a dynamic Band 4 Health Play Specialist to join our well established Play Service Team in caring for children at Leicester Children's Hospital, supporting children through their hospital journey.
The successful applicant will need to have the ability to implement developmental, therapeutic and specialised play to children and young people from birth to 16 years in an environment that changes constantly. You will also have experience in preparation, distraction and post procedural play techniques for a wide range of procedures and conditions.
The role requires excellent written and verbal communication skills, the ability to prioritise workloads, use your own initiative and be flexible and be adaptable to the needs of the service. You will need to be able to work independently and as part of a large multi-disciplinary team.
Core shifts are over a 7 day period between 07.30-19.00 hours and you will be required to work some weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis.
Applicants _must_ hold the Health Play specialist qualification and be registered with SoHPS and also have a relevant level 3 child care qualification.
You will also have a broad knowledge of child development with experience of working in a health care setting (hospital or community health)
Main duties of the job
To meet the play and emotional needs of all children and t
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