Job summary
The Rainbow Centre at Newham University Hospital is looking to appoint a new play worker to join our dedicated and forward-thinking play team. You will be joining our experienced play specialist within the play team and another play worker.
The Rainbow Centre has a General Paediatric ward, A Day service and an Out-patients department at Newham University Hospital, which is based in busy and culturally diverse East London. Rainbow has a vibrant and colourful, welcoming atmosphere. There is also a dedicated Children's Emergency Department in the hospital.
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an energetic and proactive play worker who is committed to working with children and young people within our Paediatric areas. You will be responsible for providing play opportunities, identifying the child's emotional and developmental needs and supporting patients in doing daily activities. Your role will be vital in helping to reduce the anxiety surrounding hospital stays. You will be proactive in creating and maintaining an age-appropriate environment throughout the ward.
You will need to have experience of working with children and young people and be able to deal sensitively with families under stress. You will need to be able to engage easily with children and young people and be able to work effectively with your multi-disciplinary team colleagues to enhance the children and young people's hospital experience. You will need to be a team player working as part of a fantastic supportive team where play and recreation is valued and respected as an integrated part of children's and young people's treatment.
To provide age/development appropriate activities to children and families whilst they receive care at Rainbow Centre.
Work with colleagues to plan appropriate distraction and support activities whilst receiving care within hospital.
About us
Barts Health is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country, and one of Britain's leading healthcare providers.
The Barts Health group of NHS hospitals is entering an exciting new era on our improvement journey to becoming an outstanding organisation with a world-class clinical reputation. Having lifted ourselves out of special measures, we now have the impetus and breathing space to chart a fresh course in which we are continually striving to improve all our services for patients.
Our vision is to be a high-performing group of NHS hospitals, renowned for excellence and innovation, and providing safe and compassionate care to our patients in east London and beyond. That means being a provider of excellent patient safety, known for delivering consistently high standards of harm-free care and always caring for patients in the right place at the right time. It also means being an outstanding place to work, in which our WeCare values and behaviours are visible to all and guide us in how we work together.
We strive to live by our WeCare values and are committed to promoting inclusion, where every staff member has a sense of belonging. We value our differences and fully advocate, cultivate and support an inclusive working environment.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The full job description provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience, and knowledge required. For both documents, please view the attachment/s below.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs Grade C (4) and above to include Math & English
- NNEB or NVQ level 3 in childcare or equivalent
Desirable
- Cultural awareness training.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with Children/young people in a play, Education, or hospital setting.
- Experience of working as a team member.
- Experience /knowledge of different cultures and ethnic groups.
- Experience working with adolescents, babies, and children with special needs & their families.
Knowledge
Essential
- General knowledge/experience Child Protection.
- Theoretical knowledge of child development.
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children.
- Basic knowledge of confidentiality
Skills
Essential
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
- Good interpersonal and supportive skills.
- To be creative and provide a wide Selection of art & craft activities for all ages.
- Health, safety and risk awareness.
- Play & organisation skills.
- Ability to understand and adhere to professional boundaries of the role, referring on to line manager where necessary.
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of children/young people.
- Effective verbal and written communicational skills.
Desirable
- Documentation Skills.
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children
Other
Essential
- Communicates consistently with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
- Communicates with people in a form and manner that Is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
- Is appropriate to the purpose of the communication and the context in which it is taking place
- Encourages the effective participation of all involved.
- Recognises and reflects on barriers to effective communication and modifies communication in response.
- Is proactive in seeking out different styles and methods of communicating to assist longer term needs and aims.
- Takes a proactive role in producing accurate and complete records of communication consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
- Can effectively use Information Technology equipment.
- Safeguarding awareness
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- 5 GCSEs Grade C (4) and above to include Math & English
- NNEB or NVQ level 3 in childcare or equivalent
Desirable
- Cultural awareness training.
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with Children/young people in a play, Education, or hospital setting.
- Experience of working as a team member.
- Experience /knowledge of different cultures and ethnic groups.
- Experience working with adolescents, babies, and children with special needs & their families.
Knowledge
Essential
- General knowledge/experience Child Protection.
- Theoretical knowledge of child development.
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children.
- Basic knowledge of confidentiality
Skills
Essential
- Ability to reflect and critically appraise own performance.
- Good interpersonal and supportive skills.
- To be creative and provide a wide Selection of art & craft activities for all ages.
- Health, safety and risk awareness.
- Play & organisation skills.
- Ability to understand and adhere to professional boundaries of the role, referring on to line manager where necessary.
- Ability to work with individuals and groups of children/young people.
- Effective verbal and written communicational skills.
Desirable
- Documentation Skills.
- Knowledge of the value of play for sick children
Other
Essential
- Communicates consistently with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
- Communicates with people in a form and manner that Is consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating.
- Is appropriate to the purpose of the communication and the context in which it is taking place
- Encourages the effective participation of all involved.
- Recognises and reflects on barriers to effective communication and modifies communication in response.
- Is proactive in seeking out different styles and methods of communicating to assist longer term needs and aims.
- Takes a proactive role in producing accurate and complete records of communication consistent with legislation, policies and procedures.
- Can effectively use Information Technology equipment.
- Safeguarding awareness
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.
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.
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).
