Health Play Specialist

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Qualified and Registered Health Play Specialist to join our Play and Youth Team in the department of Child Health, led by a Health Play Specialist Team Co-Ordinator. This role focuses on therapeutic play, preparation, distraction therapy and normalised play to babies, children and young people. You should have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with empathy, honesty, integrity and sensitivity.

You will need to have experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and be able to accurately document all patient interventions on the patient s electronic notes. You must be a registered Health Play Specialist and hold the Health Play Specialist qualification. Applications from 2nd year Health Play Specialist students will be accepted. You will need an understanding and ability to work with addition and complex needs.

Main duties of the job

• The post holder must be a registered and qualified Health Play Specialist, holding the foundation degree in Health Play Specialism or the Edxcel certificate or diploma as a Hospital Play Specialist.
• Work as part of the Play & Youth team to deliver a high standard of service, promoting play activities and therapeutic play sessions in the preparation of babies, children and young people (BCYP) for procedures, examinations and inventions.
• Be responsible for the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of play strategies that address the developmental and emotional needs of the BCYP and their families or carers within the hospital setting.
• Adhere to safeguarding policy and guidance within the Trust to ensure safety of BCYP.
• Respect individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of BCYP and families, contributing to a service sensitive to these needs.
• Support and participate in the delivery of training and education on therapeutic play s impact to the MDT.
• Uphold and enhance the standard and reputation of Play in line with SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct Standards.

About Us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across five sites. Our vision is to be bold, with outstanding care, research, innovation and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All and greening our NHS with targets to reduce carbon emissions.

Details

Date posted: 16 January 2026

Pay scheme:
Agenda for Change

Band:
Band 4

Salary: £33,094 to £36,195 per year, including high cost area

Contract:

Permanent

Working pattern:
Full-time

Reference number: 213-Division-A-7709352

Job locations:
King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS

Job Description

Job responsibilities

• Create a welcoming, safe and caring play environment for BCYP and their families.
• Use play to communicate and build rapport with BCYP attending the hospital.
• Apply theoretical knowledge and evidence-based practice to assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic play interventions in hospital.
• Document therapeutic interventions and outcomes on patient records system.
• Undertake individual referrals for BCYP and their families with hospital admissions/procedures.
• Maintain patient records and activity data in line with Professional and Trust standards.
• Attend MDT meetings and contribute to treatment and care plans.
• Devise play programmes for BCYP in hospital according to individual needs and overall care plan.
• Plan and implement individual therapeutic play programmes for procedures, distraction therapy and post-procedural play.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of interventions using reflective practice.
• Empathise with and support parents, carers and siblings during stress or crisis, including medical diagnosis or bereavement.
• Maintain effective verbal and written communication with the MDT and other agencies/hospitals involved with BCYP.
• Provide play-based observations to support the overall assessment of BCYP.
• Contribute expert knowledge in projects, audits and plans; contribute to development of protocols, standards and competencies for the department.
• Mentor and clinically supervise students and volunteers with team support.

Training and Education

• Manage and participate in the department s in-service training programmes.
• Represent the Trust and Play and Youth Service at conferences with case studies and best practice where appropriate.
• Participate in orientation, training and supervision of work experience students and volunteers.
• Participate in teaching and training sessions for other health care professionals to promote awareness of the therapeutic benefits of play in hospital.

Departmental

• Contribute to planning, evaluation and audit of practice, care pathways and protocols to ensure a consistent and high-quality service.
• Deliver play service development as part of the Therapies, Dietetics and Play and Youth Services business plan.
• Attend meetings to share information related to the Trust and the Play & Youth service.
• Order and monitor play resources in line with health and safety and…