Health Play Specialist
At a glance
- Band
- Band 5
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
- Posted
- 08/09/2026
- Closes
- 20/09/2026
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 Health Play Specialist to join the Paediatric Oncology / Haematology Outpatient Unit. The specialist will provide therapeutic and normalising play interventions to reduce anxiety and support children and their families during hospitalisation. Duties include assessing, planning, and implementing interventions, encouraging normal development, and working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team. The successful candidate will also supervise and mentor students and contribute to service development.
Key responsibilities
- Assess, plan and implement therapeutic interventions to reduce anxiety, supporting children and their families in hospital.
- Encourage normal development and rehabilitation through appropriate play opportunities.
- Work closely with other Play Specialists on the unit, recognising the emotional needs of children in hospital.
- Supervise and mentor students.
- Work collaboratively with the wider Play Team to develop projects to enhance the service.
Essential criteria
- Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism/Edexel Level 4 Professional Diploma in Specialist Play for Sick Children and Young People
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
- Children's Workforce, Cache, NNEB, BTec, NVQ or level 3 qualification in Early years / Childcare equivalent (See link) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ff30e6baf1f8c92fb5fa07/Early_Years_Qualifications_achieved_in_the_UK_October_2025.xlsx
- Current registration with SoHPS, or have discussed a plan or re-registration with SoHPS for return to practice.
Desirable criteria
- Youth work or qualification
- Counselling Diploma or equivalent
- Can demonstrate autonomous working practices in current post
- Evidence of experience of working with parents and extended families.
- Evidence of experience of working with children/young people in a hospital setting.
- Experience of working with children with special educational needs and/or mental health concerns.
- Evidence of working in an acute care hospital setting with Children and young people.
- Evidence of integrated working with a multi-professional team.
- Experience of supporting students in previous positions.
- NHS experience
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children and the effects of hospitalisation on children, young people and their families.
- Demonstrated understanding of developmental, social and psychological needs of children/young people and their families incorporating special needs, cultures and diversities
- Knowledge of SoHPS professional code of conduct and standards and application to practice.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety, and risk management in practice including safeguarding procedures.
- Basic Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of babies/children/young people.
- Ability to deliver therapeutic play including play preparation, distraction and post procedural play for medical procedures using evidenced based techniques
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
- Ability to manage and prioritise own work load and work as part of a wider team.
- Training and presentation skills
- Word processing and internet research skills
- Additional Requirements
- Commitment to patient/family-centred, non-discriminatory practice.
- Be able to sensitively deal with the frequent challenges associated with social differences, parental and family anxiety and cultural diversity.
- Documented evidence of continued professional development.
- The ability to understand and behave at all times, towards patients, visitors and colleagues according to the Trust values of Safe, Kind, Excellent.
- Foundation Degree in Healthcare Play Specialism/Edexel Level 4 Professional Diploma in Specialist Play for Sick Children and Young People
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS)
- Children's Workforce, Cache, NNEB, BTec, NVQ or level 3 qualification in Early years / Childcare equivalent (See link) https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68ff30e6baf1f8c92fb5fa07/Early_Years_Qualifications_achieved_in_the_UK_October_2025.xlsx
- Current registration with SoHPS, or have discussed a plan or re-registration with SoHPS for return to practice.
- Youth work or qualification
- Counselling Diploma or equivalent
- Can demonstrate autonomous working practices in current post
- Evidence of experience of working with parents and extended families.
- Evidence of experience of working with children/young people in a hospital setting.
- Experience of working with children with special educational needs and/or mental health concerns.
- Evidence of working in an acute care hospital setting with Children and young people.
- Evidence of integrated working with a multi-professional team.
- Experience of supporting students in previous positions.
- NHS experience
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children and the effects of hospitalisation on children, young people and their families.
- Demonstrated understanding of developmental, social and psychological needs of children/young people and their families incorporating special needs, cultures and diversities
- Knowledge of SoHPS professional code of conduct and standards and application to practice.
- Knowledge of Health and Safety, and risk management in practice including safeguarding procedures.
- Basic Knowledge of the principles of clinical governance.
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of babies/children/young people.
- Ability to deliver therapeutic play inc
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 5 at £29,970 – £36,483 a year, across England.
This advert: £32,073 – £39,043 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 1d ago · Closes in 12d
Plenty of time to prepare a strong application.
Full advert · preview
Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Health Play Specialist
The closing date is 20 September 2026
Job summary
We are looking for a Health Play Specialist to join our Paediatric Oncology / Haematology Outpatient Unit. You will join a well-established, valued Play team who are proactive and determined in providing positive hospital experiences and quality intervention for children and families.
A strong candidate will have excellent knowledge and skills of therapeutic and normalising play and have a great understanding of the impact of hospitalisation on the child and their families. You'll have excellent communication skills and can work autonomously and with members of the multidisciplinary team.
If you are committed to providing exceptional care through normalising and therapeutic play then we would like to hear from you.
You'll hold an FdA in Healthcare Play Specialism or equivalent. A valid registration with the Society of Health Play Specialists is needed. Return to practice or year 2 of Health Play Specialism Fda / Apprenticeship applications are welcome.
Main duties of the job
The Unit cares for children (0-16yrs) with Haematological or Oncological diagnosis, including general anaesthetic procedures as well as awake scans, consultations, tests and infusions including Chemotherapy.
You'll be motivated to create positive experiences for
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