Job summary
We are looking for an apprentice who would like an opportunity of working in a supportive and diverse team within the children and young people division supporting children attending a range of departments at UCLH working in varied specialties while training to become a qualified Health Play Specialist. UCLH strive to be a flexible working Trust and encourage applications from people seeking flexible working options.
This post is an exciting new addition to the play and youth service team and is a fantastic opportunity for you to expand your knowledge, skills and experience as a professional working with children and/or young people within a leading, award-winning play team who support children and young people from 0 to 25 years. A team which is led by a supportive leadership team who are members of the governing bodies of play, striving to embed high quality specialised play practices on a national level. This post will help shape the delivery of services to children and young people within health and is an opportunity to expand your knowledge, skills and experience of working within a range of specialties.
You will work as part of a supportive team where play and recreation is valued and respected as an integrated part of children young people's treatment and your contribution to the patient's pathway will be highly respected.
Main duties of the job
The Apprentice Play Specialist will have proven experience of working with children and young people, who is committed to providing high quality care to children and young people in both inpatient and outpatients settings. The post-holder will work alongside the play workers, play specialists and youth support coordinators providing a safe and welcoming child focused environment for children and young people to engage in play and recreation activities with their identified needs. The post holder will provide a sustainable level of safe and age appropriate play materials/equipment for all children and young people ensuring children's right are protected and promoted. Providing interesting and stimulating play programmes for children, young people, and their families highlighting the importance of play in assisting recovery and reducing anxiety and/or fear while in the hospital environment is a crucial element of the post and you will need to be able to thrive in a demanding environment effectively prioritising patients and your workload. Additionally, you will need to engage easily with children and young people and be able to work effectively with your MDT colleagues to enhance the children and young person's hospital experience as well as needing to be able to deal sensitively with families under stress.
About us
University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) is one of the most complex NHS trusts in the UK, serving a large and diverse population. We provide academically led acute and specialist services, to people from the local area, from throughout the United Kingdom and overseas. Our vision is to deliver top-quality patient care, excellent education, and world-class research.
We provide first-class acute and specialist services across eight sites:
- University College Hospital (incorporating the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing)
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
- University College Hospital Grafton Way Building
- Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine
- University College Hospital Macmillan Cancer Centre
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases
- University College Hospital at Westmoreland Street
We are dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of many complex illnesses. UCLH specialises in women's health and the treatment of cancer, infection, neurological, gastrointestinal and oral disease. It has world class support services including critical care, imaging, nuclear medicine and pathology.
At UCLH, we have a real 'One Team' ethos, and our values - safety, kindness, teamwork and improving, are central to the way we work. This is supported by our staff, who voted us as the #1 NHS Acute Trust to work for in the whole of England.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note:
Maths and English certificates will be requested before being invited to the assessment. Those who are successful will be invited to an interview in the afternoon.
Applicants must not be in any form of education (for example, college, university, or an apprenticeship). Applicants must not have a qualification in the same subject as the apprenticeship's at the same level or higher.
The post holder will be required to complete the FDA Healthcare Play Specialism apprenticeship. You need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service, including shift work, 1:8 bank holiday working and 1:6 weekend working is required as part of this role.
Group assessment and individual interviews will be held on 28th February 2024. Please ensure that you are free to attend before applying.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
We expect this post to start in March 2024.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please note:
Maths and English certificates will be requested before being invited to the assessment. Those who are successful will be invited to an interview in the afternoon.
Applicants must not be in any form of education (for example, college, university, or an apprenticeship). Applicants must not have a qualification in the same subject as the apprenticeship's at the same level or higher.
The post holder will be required to complete the FDA Healthcare Play Specialism apprenticeship. You need to be able to work flexible hours to meet the needs of the service, including shift work, 1:8 bank holiday working and 1:6 weekend working is required as part of this role.
Group assessment and individual interviews will be held on 28th February 2024. Please ensure that you are free to attend before applying.
For the full Person Specification and more information regarding the main responsibilities of this role, please refer to the attached Job Description.
We expect this post to start in March 2024.
We are committed to sustainability and have pledged to become a carbon net zero health service, embedding sustainable practice throughout UCLH. We have set an ambitious target of net zero for our direct emissions by 2031 and indirect emissions by 2040.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade A-C (or equivalent) Maths and English will be requested before being invited to an assessment. Must not hold a qualification in the same subject as the apprenticeship at a higher level
- Willing to undertake the Health Play Specialist Apprenticeship Level 5 (Foundation Degree)
- Basic knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
Desirable
- NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal childcare and development.
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Knowledge of NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Experience
Desirable
- 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 working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Basic competency using Word and Excel.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
- Right to remain and work in the United Kingdom. If you are here on a visa, your visa length must exceed the length of the apprenticeship course. Candidates must have been resident in the UK for the previous three years at start of study (depending on visa status). Candidates must live in England.
Desirable
- Membership of NAHPS Professional Body.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum of 5 GCSEs grade A-C (or equivalent) Maths and English will be requested before being invited to an assessment. Must not hold a qualification in the same subject as the apprenticeship at a higher level
- Willing to undertake the Health Play Specialist Apprenticeship Level 5 (Foundation Degree)
- Basic knowledge of professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
Desirable
- NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal childcare and development.
- Bachelor's Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to work with children and/or young people.
- Knowledge of NAHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
Experience
Desirable
- 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 working with children and/or young people with special needs including those with challenging behaviours.
- Experience of formal and informal teaching.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable
- Basic competency using Word and Excel.
Other Requirements
Essential
- Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to needs of clinical area.
- Right to remain and work in the United Kingdom. If you are here on a visa, your visa length must exceed the length of the apprenticeship course. Candidates must have been resident in the UK for the previous three years at start of study (depending on visa status). Candidates must live in England.
Desirable
- Membership of NAHPS Professional Body.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
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).
