East Cheshire NHS Trust

Play Assistant Band 3 - Children's Ward

The closing date is 10 July 2025

Job summary

The post holder is part of the hospital play specialist team within Children's Services contributing to the care of children and their families.

The Post holder will be required to organise play and suitable activities to meet the needs of individual children / groups of children and young people within the Paediatric Unit and / or other departments as appropriate, maintaining a safe, child-focused environment where play occurs naturally.

Hours per week 22.5

Main duties of the job

To meet and greet child/ family attending hospital department, maintaining goodcommunication with children, families and other visitors to the hospital.

To promote and develop an environment in which the play / recreation needs of children are met.

To organize, supervise and maintain play activities for individual / groups of children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall care plan.

Please refer to Job Description and Person Specification.

About us

It is all about the people at East Cheshire NHS Trust. We have a real sense of community, and our values are truly embedded into everything we do, ensuring we are a great and inclusive place to work. You will be supported, developed and empowered throughout your career with us. Come and join us, where you can play your part in helping us deliver outstanding care and improving the health of all the people we serve.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters as part of ongoing monitoring.

Please be aware that this post requires an Enhanced with Barred list Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost of which is payable by the successful candidate. If you have lived or worked abroad for 6 months or more in the last 5 years you will need to obtain an overseas police clearance. Further information can be found on the additional information links at the bottom of the advert.

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

209-A-25-7281192

Job locations

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.

Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.

As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage Careers :: East Cheshire NHS Trust for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for the post by assessing their circumstances against criteria specified on theVisas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please read the attached Applicant Pack prior to completing your application form to find out more information.

Please download a copy of the Job Description and Person Specification located under the Supporting documents heading to read more about the advertised role.

As part of making your application we encourage you to review the Trusts Careers webpage Careers :: East Cheshire NHS Trust for more information about working for East Cheshire NHS Trust.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all applications irrespective of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race or religion. The Trust is a Disability Confident Leader and as such, applicants with disabilities will be offered an interview providing they meet the minimum criteria for the post (outlined in the Person Specification).

Applicants are advised to apply early as we reserve the right to close the advert prior to the advertised closing date should we receive a large number of applications.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Overseas candidates wishing to apply who would require sponsorship can determine the likelihood of obtaining a CoS for the post by assessing their circumstances against criteria specified on theVisas and immigration - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Professional qualification in childcare (NVQ Level3 or above for example -NNEB/Tec Diploma in Nursery nursing)
  • BTEC Diploma in Childcare and Development

Desirable

  • Additional qualifications - For example play work Special needs Youth work Art/music therapy

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of developmental and social needs of children from 0-16 years and their families
  • Understanding health and safety issues and confidentiality/data protection.

Desirable

  • Awareness of literature and government legislation relating to children and young people
  • Knowledge of special needs and cultures
  • Knowledge of public health initiatives

Skills

Essential

  • Communication skills
  • Organisational skills
  • Enthusiastic and forward thinking
  • Show willingness to learn and develop
  • Ability to work independently and within a team
  • Ability to work under direction from a qualified and registered play specialist

Desirable

  • Creative skills
  • Documentation and report writing
  • Consultation skills

Other Role Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details regarding the role requirements
Person Specification

Qualification

Essential

  • Professional qualification in childcare (NVQ Level3 or above for example -NNEB/Tec Diploma in Nursery nursing)
  • BTEC Diploma in Childcare and Development

Desirable

  • Additional qualifications - For example play work Special needs Youth work Art/music therapy

Knowledge

Essential

  • Understanding of developmental and social needs of children from 0-16 years and their families
  • Understanding health and safety issues and confidentiality/data protection.

Desirable

  • Awareness of literature and government legislation relating to children and young people
  • Knowledge of special needs and cultures
  • Knowledge of public health initiatives

Skills

Essential

  • Communication skills
  • Organisational skills
  • Enthusiastic and forward thinking
  • Show willingness to learn and develop
  • Ability to work independently and within a team
  • Ability to work under direction from a qualified and registered play specialist

Desirable

  • Creative skills
  • Documentation and report writing
  • Consultation skills

Other Role Requirements

Essential

  • Please refer to the job description and person specification for further details regarding the role requirements

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Employer's website

https://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

East Cheshire NHS Trust

Address

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Employer's website

https://www.eastcheshire.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Sister

Claire Finley

claire.finley@nhs.net

01625661079

Details

Date posted

26 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,625 to £25,674 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

209-A-25-7281192

Job locations

Macclesfield District

General Hospital

Victoria Road, Macclesfield

SK10 3BL


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

East Cheshire NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)