Job Description: Play Specialist

The Play Specialist supports the emotional wellbeing and development of children and young people admitted to the acute paediatric ward by providing developmentally appropriate play and activities. The role focuses on helping children cope with hospitalization, promoting normalization, and supporting positive healthcare experiences in line with the NHS Play Well Toolkit.

The Play Specialist works as a key member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, providing high-quality therapeutic play, preparation, and distraction to support children and young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Use developmentally appropriate play to support children from infancy through adolescence, ensuring care is child-centred, inclusive, and tailored to individual needs.
• Work closely with families, nurses, doctors, and allied health professionals to enhance the overall patient experience and contribute to positive clinical outcomes.
• Provide therapeutic and developmentally appropriate play to support children’s psychological, emotional, and developmental needs during hospital admission and treatment, in line with Play Well standards for health play services.
• Use play to prepare, support, and distract children before, during, and after clinical procedures, helping reduce anxiety and potential trauma.
• Create and maintain safe, child-friendly environments that support normalization, choice, and autonomy for children and young people.
• Advocate for the child’s voice and preferences within the clinical setting, ensuring their needs and views inform care planning and delivery.
• Work collaboratively with families and the multidisciplinary team to enhance child-centred care and integrate therapeutic play into overall treatment plans.
• Observe, record, and communicate children’s responses, behavior, and coping strategies to inform ongoing care and service quality.
• Support inclusive play by attending to diverse needs (age, developmental stage, cultural background, communication needs) and using resources appropriately.
• Maintain accurate documentation, uphold health and safety, infection prevention, and safeguarding policies, and ensure play equipment is clean and appropriate for purpose.