Band 4 - Health Play Specialist, WACS
At a glance
- Band
- Band 4
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Posted
- 10/09/2026
- Closes
- 24/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This role is for a passionate Band 4 Health Play Specialist to join the Children's Services team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. You will use therapeutic and specialised play to help babies, children, and young people cope with hospitalisation and medical procedures. The position involves assessing individual play and developmental needs, planning interventions, and supporting families to reduce anxiety. You will work flexibly across paediatric clinical areas as part of a 7-day service, contributing to a positive healthcare experience for children.
Key responsibilities
- Assess individual play and developmental needs of babies, children and young people and plan appropriate therapeutic play interventions.
- Support children and families before, during and following procedures and treatment to reduce anxiety and build coping strategies.
- Provide specialist advice around play, development and preparation for procedures to the multidisciplinary team.
- Advocate for the needs of children and young people within the healthcare setting.
- Work flexibly across paediatric services, responding to changing clinical priorities and contributing to service development.
- Deliver therapeutic and developmental play across inpatient, emergency, assessment, day-care and outpatient services, including weekend working on a rotational basis.
Essential criteria
- Foundation Degree Healthcare Play Specialism
- Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism
- HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent
- Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.
- Experience of working both individually and in groups with babies, children and young people from a diverse range of backgrounds
- Experience of audit procedures
- Experience & confidence working with adolescents
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 4 at £26,530 – £29,114 a year, across England.
This advert: £29,812 – £32,715 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 14d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Band 4 - Health Play Specialist, WACS
The closing date is 24 September 2026
Job summary
Are you a passionate Health Play Specialist looking to make a real difference to children and young people? Come and join our friendly and developing Children's Services team at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, creative and compassionate Band 4 Health Play Specialist to join our paediatric service. You will work across our children's services, using therapeutic and specialised play to help babies, children and young people understand and cope with hospitalisation, procedures and treatment.
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a supportive multidisciplinary team where play is recognised as an essential part of the child's hospital experience. We are looking for someone who is flexible, motivated and passionate about delivering outstanding child and family-centred care.
The role will work flexibly across our paediatric clinical areas as part of a 7-day service.
Main duties of the job
As a Health Play Specialist, you will assess the individual play and developmental needs of babies, children and young people and plan appropriate therapeutic play interventions.
You will support children and families before, during and following procedures and treatment, helping to reduce
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