Kingston and Richmond NHS Foundation Trust
Senior Play Specialist
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Band 5 Play Specialist at Kingston Hospital
As a Band 5 Play Specialist at Kingston Hospital, you’ll step into a role with real breadth and variety — from fast-paced shifts in our Emergency Department (ED) to providing longer-term support for children receiving oncology care or attending specialist clinics.
You’ll rotate between our paediatric wards and ED, working with babies, children, and young people from just a few days old up to 18. Some days you’ll be supporting planned admissions and outpatient pathways; other days you’ll be in ED where things move quickly and you need to think on your feet. The pace changes, the setting changes, and no two days are the same.
You’ll also play an important role supporting children undergoing oncology and longer-term treatment. In this area you’ll work closely with families during more complex and emotional parts of their hospital journey, building trusted relationships and becoming a familiar, reassuring face for those who visit regularly.
Alongside ward and ED work, you’ll support a wide range of outpatient clinics including phlebotomy, dermatology, asthma, dental, orthopaedics, ENT, and day surgery, giving you broad experience across our paediatric services.
As part of our small, friendly play team, you’ll also have the opportunity to take on additional responsibility — mentoring students and junior colleagues, contributing to service improvements, and managing your own caseload with increasing independence.
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Our service spans a 24-bed inpatient ward, two HDU beds, the Physical Assessment Unit, and outpatient clinics, offering plenty of variety. You’ll develop specialist skills, gain experience across different clinical settings, and build a strong foundation for future progression.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver therapeutic play interventions for children and young people across wards and ED, including preparation, distraction, and post-procedural support.
- Manage an independent caseload, prioritising referrals, and adapting approaches based on clinical need.
- Provide mentorship and informal supervision to Band 4 Play Specialists, trainees, and students on placement.
- Contribute to training and awareness sessions for the MDT to promote the emotional and developmental needs of children in hospital.
- Support children and families experiencing anxiety, crisis, or longer-term treatment.
- Create and maintain inclusive, age-appropriate play environments and resources.
- Maintain accurate documentation and activity data in line with professional and Trust standards.
- Participate in audits, service evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Monitor, select, and order play resources, ensuring infection control and safety standards are met.
- Contribute to safeguarding assessments and holistic care planning.
- Work collaboratively with the MDT while also being confident working independently and making informed decisions.
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Our play service is supported by Momentum and Kingston Hospital Charity, which allows us to go beyond the basics. We have a bright, purpose-built playroom that opens onto a garden — somewhere children can get fresh air, reset, and feel a bit more like themselves.
We’re also able to bring things onto the ward that children wouldn’t usually expect in hospital — from visits by Chelsea Football Club and therapy animals (including owls and ponies), to entertainers, puppet sessions, bake sales, and toy events. You’ll be encouraged to bring ideas, take initiative, and help shape these experiences as part of a creative and supportive team.
Skills/ Qualifications Required
- A recognised Health Play Specialist qualification.
- Up-to-date registration with the Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS).
- Post-qualification experience working with children and young people in a healthcare setting.
- Experience supporting children and young people with SEND, and confidence adapting play, communication, and preparation to meet different needs.
For further details / informal visits contact:
Name: Hind Thomas
Job title: Senior Sister
Email address: hindthomas@nhs.net
Telephone number: 020 8546 7711
Extension: 020 8546 7711 x2417
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