Hospital Play Specialist - Full time
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Hospital Play Specialist - Full time
The [Employer hidden — view at passion-project.co.uk] is seeking a Hospital Play Specialist for a 12-month fixed term full-time position. The role involves providing therapeutic play interventions to alleviate anxiety and improve well-being of paediatric patients, working within the multi-disciplinary team.
Job Summary
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An exciting opportunity has arisen in our Play Team to cover a 1 year fixed term post. We are looking for a highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist who is committed to providing high quality care to Children and Young People that attend The Royal Berkshire Hospital. The post holder will work closely with the MDT to support children, young people and their families and implement specialised play interventions throughout the whole Paediatric unit. This includes both inpatients and outpatients including our new play led Pre-operative preparation project.
The successful applicant must be passionate and committed to meeting the needs of children, young people and their families and work flexibly within a team.
Main Duties of the Job
- Engage easily with children and young people
- Work effectively with multi-disciplinary team colleagues
- Use therapeutic play techniques creatively throughout the department
- Support children and young people who are admitted
- Lead alternative focus activities during procedures
- Create an age appropriate welcoming environment
- Help patients and families manage anxiety effectively
- Take an active role in supporting and mentoring other members of the hospital play team
About Us
The [Employer hidden] is the main provider of hospital services for the population of Reading, Newbury, Wokingham and the towns and villages of west Berkshire. At our heart we are a local hospital that works with NHS and social care partners to provide excellent healthcare services for over 500,000 people who currently live in our catchment area. We also provide specialist hospital services beyond the county's borders. We employ more than 5,500 staff from 39 different nationalities and deliver care from a network of facilities across sites in Bracknell, Henley-on-Thames, Reading, Thatcham and Windsor. Each year we are responsible for efficiently and effectively spending more than £400m of NHS resources on the services we provide.
Job Details
- Date posted: 22 April 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 4
- Salary: £28,392 to £31,157 a year per annum
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 12 months
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 193-7799904UCGB4-HPSv2
- Job locations: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Job Responsibilities
The post holder is responsible for providing therapeutic play interventions to help alleviate patients anxieties and fear, helping to increase their co-operation during their time in hospital. They work to improve patients emotional and psychological well-being while hospitalised and to provide a welcoming, safe and secure environment for paediatric and young people patients. They are responsible for increasing the awareness, understanding and knowledge of the play teams work and how the services help patients during their hospital journeys.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or oversees equivalent.
- Knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
- Knowledge of recent, relevant health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
- Knowledge of the NAHPS professional code of conduct and its application in practice.
Desirable
- NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Knowledge of current best practice in clinical/age area.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working with children and/or young people and their families in a health care setting.
- Experience leading play/recreation activities for babies, children and/or young people.
- Experience of effective working as a team member within the MDT.
Desirable
- Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer Details
Employer name: [Employer hidden]
Address: Royal Berkshire Hospital, London Road, Reading, RG1 5AN
Employer's website: https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/
Employer Contact Details
For questions about the job, contact:
Paediatric Ward Manager, Shilani Perera
Email: [contact hidden]
Phone: [contact hidden]