Hospital Play Specialist Apprentice
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Apprenticeship
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 08/09/2026
- Closes
- 12/09/2026
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Role summary
This apprenticeship role involves creating opportunities for children and teenagers in the hospital to engage in play, fostering their overall development and bridging the gap between hospital and home. The post holder will provide stimulating, developmentally, and culturally appropriate play programmes, supporting children through procedures using distraction techniques. They will also facilitate and resource play activities for individuals and groups, ensuring a positive patient journey.
Essential criteria
- GCSE Maths and English grade A-C or equivalent Level 2 or above in Literacy and Numeracy.
- Minimum of a Level 3 qualification in childcare or early years or related field (E.g. BTEC or CACHE diploma)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Willingness and ability to undertake Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
Desirable criteria
- Safeguarding Children training/ experience
- Minimum of two years employment working with children, after gaining level 3 qualification in childcare or early years
- Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
- Experience of working with teenagers
- Experience of working with young people experiencing mental health challenges (eg disordered eating, self harm)
- Special Requirements
- Ability to travel to Leeds to undertake academic studies
- A placement in a healthcare setting, with a HPS Mentor.
- The mentor must be a qualified and registered HPS, who has also completed and is up to date with the mentor training provided by SoHPS
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
- Special Skills & Knowledge
- Very good communication skills
- Awareness of safeguarding children principles and responsibilities
- Awareness of patient confidentiality
- Awareness of literature and
- legislation relating to children and young people
- GCSE Maths and English grade A-C or equivalent Level 2 or above in Literacy and Numeracy.
- Minimum of a Level 3 qualification in childcare or early years or related field (E.g. BTEC or CACHE diploma)
- Evidence of continuing professional development
- Willingness and ability to undertake Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
- Safeguarding Children training/ experience
- Minimum of two years employment working with children, after gaining level 3 qualification in childcare or early years
- Experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds
- Experience of working with teenagers
- Experience of working with young people experiencing mental health challenges (eg disordered eating, self harm)
- Special Requirements
- Ability to travel to Leeds to undertake academic studies
- A placement in a healthcare setting, with a HPS Mentor.
- The mentor must be a qualified and registered HPS, who has also completed and is up to date with the mentor training provided by SoHPS
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
- Special Skills & Knowledge
- Very good communication skills
- Awareness of safeguarding children principles and responsibilities
- Awareness of patient confidentiality
- Awareness of literature and
- legislation relating to children and young people
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £25,760 – £27,476 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 4d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Hospital Play Specialist Apprentice
The closing date is 12 September 2026
Job summary
To create
opportunities for children and teenagers have access to play whilst at the
hospital and to foster an environment where play contributes to their overall
development, helping to bridge the gap between hospital and home, and creating a
positive environment and patient journey. To provide interesting, stimulating
and developmentally and culturally appropriate play programmes for children,
young people and their families. To support children through procedures using
distraction techniques.
Main duties of the job
To facilitate and resource play activities for individual and groups
To plan opportunities for play which consider the child/young persons stage of development, medical and cultural needs
To plan opportunities for play which can be facilitated flexibly depending on where the child is e.g. play room, bedside etc
To encourage opportunities for children/young people to meet developmental milestones and
To provide distraction to children undergoing procedures
To assist in the creation of a caring and safe play environment for children of all ages
To encourage and support parents to join in play with their children
To organise activities which encourage independence and provide the opportunity for parents and patients
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