Health Play Specialist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 18/09/2026
- Closes
- 22/09/2026
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The advert didn't contain a clear role-specific sponsorship line, so HiveMind can't confirm eligibility. Verify with the recruiting manager or trust HR before you apply.
Role summary
This role is for a Health Play Specialist at Epsom General Hospital, supporting children and families in acute care. You will organize play activities to help children prepare for clinical procedures and process their concerns. The position involves planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic play programmes for children from birth, as well as providing support and advice to parents and carers. Both full-time and part-time options are available.
Essential criteria
- Registered and Qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
- NNEB/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal childcare development
- Experience of working with children aged 0 -18 years and understanding their developmental process.
- Experience leading play / recreation activities for babies, children and young people
- Experience of working with children in a healthcare setting
Desirable criteria
- Ability to deal with conflict in a professional manner.
- Supervisory Skills/ Mentoring students
- Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of child development and the ability to apply therapeutic play intervention for children
- Recognition of the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family
- Awareness of child safeguarding processes
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries
- Knowledge of current best practice in clinical area
- Basic competency of Word andExcel
- Registered and Qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
- NNEB/NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal childcare development
- Experience of working with children aged 0 -18 years and understanding their developmental process.
- Experience leading play / recreation activities for babies, children and young people
- Experience of working with children in a healthcare setting
- Ability to deal with conflict in a professional manner.
- Supervisory Skills/ Mentoring students
- Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of child development and the ability to apply therapeutic play intervention for children
- Recognition of the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family
- Awareness of child safeguarding processes
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries
- Knowledge of current best practice in clinical area
- Basic competency of Word andExcel
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £33,262 – £36,027 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 0d ago · Closes in 5d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
Health Play Specialist
The closing date is 22 September 2026
Job summary
Health Play Specialist- Band 4
Full time and part time options are available
Would you like to work in Epsom General Hospital. Are you a newly qualified or experienced Health Play Specialist and wanting a step in the door to working within the NHS and provide play and support to Children and their Families in acute care. If so, then this post is for you, you will have the opportunity to support all ages and a variety of medical conditions. The Health Play Specialist works within the MDT on the ward, ensuring that all Children and Young People have a positive admission experience.
Main duties of the job
Full time and part time options are available
You will be working to organise play activities to help children prepare for clinical procedures, safeguarding reviews and to work through their concerns and worries through a range of techniques suitable.
The work that you will be doing will be supported by a combination of evidence based practice and theoretical knowledge which will enable you to be able to plan, implement, review and evaluate therapeutic play programmes that support children (from birth) and young people emotionally and developmentally.
You will also be providing support to parents, carers and the wider family, i
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