Play Assistant
At a glance
- Band
- Band 3
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time
- Posted
- 16/09/2026
- Closes
- 29/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
Sponsorship is not clearly stated in this advert.
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
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a motivated and experienced Play Assistant to join their Play Specialist Team. This role involves supporting children and young people undergoing cancer treatment in the Children and Young Peoples Department. The successful candidate will provide play and activities for paediatric and adolescent patients, ensuring a quality and holistic play service across the unit. They will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide holistic care to patients and their families.
Key responsibilities
- Work as a member of the play team to provide play/ activities for paediatric and adolescent patients on the McElwain / TYA ward and all areas of OCCYP.
- Provide a quality and holistic play service for all children and their families across the OCCYP unit, both in play areas and at the bedside.
- Ensure all children and adolescents have access to the play service whilst at the hospital.
- Work with the multi-disciplinary team in providing holistic care to all patients and their family.
- Plan and facilitate play/activities for children and adolescents in hospital, adapting to their developmental, medical and holistic needs.
- Be responsible for the maintenance, safety and cleaning of all play resources, complying with infection control policy and procedures.
Essential criteria
- NVQ Level 3 Childcare, BTEC or equivalent
- GCSE English and Maths
- In the hospital setting
- Demonstrable experience of working with parents/ carers and families
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of children, adolescents and young people
- Ability to communicate and support families under stress
- Experience of working with children/young people with additional needs
- Experience of working with adolescents.
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 3 at £24,625 – £25,674 a year, across England.
This advert: £30,630 – £32,346 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 2d ago · Closes in 12d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Play Assistant
The closing date is 29 September 2026
Job summary
We are seeking a motivated and experienced play specialist to join our Play Specialist Team.
The successful applicant will support children and young people undergoing treatment for cancer in the Children and Young Peoples Department. Applications are welcome from experienced play specialists with the Hospital Play Specialist Certificate (SOHPS) or the Health Play Specialist foundation degree.
Main duties of the job
- Work as a member of the play team to provide play/ activities for paediatric and adolescent patients. The Play Assistant will be expected to work on the McElwain / TYA ward and all areas of OCCYP.
- To provide a quality and holistic play service for all children and their families across the OCCYP unit. This would be in the play areas and also at the bedside.
- To ensure all children and adolescents have the access to the play service whilst at the hospital.
- To work with the multi disciplinary team in providing holistic care to all patients and their family.
About us
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading cancer centre. Our role is to offer our patients the best cancer care available anywhere in the world, and to continue to make a global contribution to finding better ways of diagnosing and treating cancer. We empl
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