Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Play Specialist

The closing date is 20 March 2026

Job summary

The post holder will be one of a team of play specialists.

You will work to ensure high quality play provision for patients and siblings. Prepare the child and family for treatments and procedures.

Facilitate emotional support and help to establish coping strategies.

The post will be predominantly in the children's unit, but also you may be required in other areas of the hospital where children are cared for.

PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEED NOT APPLY

Main duties of the job

A Play Specialist's main duties include providing therapeutic and developmental play to help children cope with illness and hospitalisation, preparing them for medical procedures through age-appropriate explanations and play techniques, and supporting their emotional well-being by reducing anxiety and distress. They also work to maintain cognitive, social, and physical development during hospital stays, collaborate with families and healthcare teams to improve communication and involvement, and advocate for the child's needs to ensure a positive, child-centered care experience.

About us

We are proud to be part of BSW Hospitals Group - a formal partnership between Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust and Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust. With a combined workforce of over 17, 600 colleagues, and budget of 1.6 billion the Group is united by a common purpose to deliver the best possible care to over 1 million people. We are creating a heath and care system that works with the people we care for, reducing the differences people currently face in access, experience and outcomes, improving the experience of our colleagues and tackling shared challenges like sustainability and finances. Every improvement we make across our Group will be guided by what creates the greatest benefit for our colleagues, our patients, our communities and our partners.

Date posted

06 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

249-7735909-3

Job locations

Great Western Hospital

Marlborough Road

Swindon

SN3 6BB

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. To act as an advocate for the child and family

2. Encourage and support parents to participate in play with their children

3. To provide preparation for children undergoing treatment and medical procedures

4. Explain reasons for treatment or the nature of the illness on a level that the child can understand

5. Ensure that information given to the child/family is consistent and presented in a professional manner

6. Educate and empower parents as necessary on the benefits of play and how to facilitate appropriate play to enhance the childs development and recovery

7. Implement distraction/coping strategies

8. To work in conjunction with the Play Specialist team and Co-ordinator to develop the provision of play

9. To apply evidence-based practice to areas of your work

10. To use knowledge to select and apply appropriate techniques to facilitate children and young people to overcome difficulties with hospital admission and procedures

11. Assess, plan and implement play programmes for a varied client group

12. Select monitor and advise on play resources required to reflect the need of the client group

13. To provide emotional support for families when in crisis or under stress

14. To establish and maintain effective communication both verbal and written with all members of the multidisciplinary team throughout the hospital

15. To ensure all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean and safe, maintained to comply with Trust policies, and stored safely.

16. To attend clinics as requested to prepare the child psychologically for procedures and provide distraction therapy

17. Provide teaching sessions to other staff and students as required to promote an awareness of the therapeutic benefits of play and the effects of hospitalisation

18. Through play provide support to assist children in understanding and coping with serious illness, disability or death.

19. To demonstrate and apply knowledge of the effects of hospitalisation and illness on the child/family

20. To review and reflect on your own practice and attend an annual appraisal.

21. To participate in ongoing professional development

22. Recognise and respond appropriately to emergency situations

23. To provide supervision and support to junior team members