Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Hospital play specialist/ Play co-ordinator

The closing date is 21 November 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity to welcome a Hospital Play Specialist to join our team on the Children's Burns Ward.

In line with the National Burns Care Standards we strive to provide an excellent service, putting children and their families at the forefront of our care. Our Play Specialists are integral to supporting individual patient journeys and promoting the voice of the child during their time within the department.

To support our services, we are looking for a friendly and approachable Play Specialist who is flexible, proactive, motivated, and able to demonstrate excelled communication skills. You will be expected to work collaboratively and support other members of the children's nursing and medical teams and other disciplines to facilitate a seamless and high-quality service for the child and family.

Main duties of the job

To manage and maintain a child focused environment where play occurs naturally and help to bridge the gap between hospital and home.

Provide interesting and stimulating play programmes and appropriate distraction activities in an effort to fulfil emotional, social and developmental needs and help alleviate emotional traumas for the child and family.

About us

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and well being of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers.

We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Details

Date posted

13 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Per Annum (Pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

390-B&P-BR-3366

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Use therapeutic play to help children and young people understand and cope with their burn injury, the treatment they are receiving and the hospital environment.
  • Work alongside nursing team to prepare children for medical procedures and surgery through role playing and distractions, to help reduce anxiety
  • Design and lead play activities to help children express feelings, understand their injury and cope with the emotional impact of it
  • Create child friendly atmosphere on the ward
  • Working alongside physiotherapist and occupational therapists to provide play opportunities to prevent delays or regression in normal development and motor function
  • Observing children and sharing concerns about neglect or other safeguarding issues with relevant team members and authorities
  • Advise parents and carers on activities they can do with their children whilst in hospital and at home in their extended recovery
  • Work alongside psychotherapy and other members of the team to support children returning to nursery and school
  • Maintain patient records, following confidentiality and information governance policies

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • Use therapeutic play to help children and young people understand and cope with their burn injury, the treatment they are receiving and the hospital environment.
  • Work alongside nursing team to prepare children for medical procedures and surgery through role playing and distractions, to help reduce anxiety
  • Design and lead play activities to help children express feelings, understand their injury and cope with the emotional impact of it
  • Create child friendly atmosphere on the ward
  • Working alongside physiotherapist and occupational therapists to provide play opportunities to prevent delays or regression in normal development and motor function
  • Observing children and sharing concerns about neglect or other safeguarding issues with relevant team members and authorities
  • Advise parents and carers on activities they can do with their children whilst in hospital and at home in their extended recovery
  • Work alongside psychotherapy and other members of the team to support children returning to nursery and school
  • Maintain patient records, following confidentiality and information governance policies

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hospital play specialist qualification or related qualification

Desirable

  • Continuing professional development

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years experience working with children

Desirable

  • Experience working with children in hospital
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hospital play specialist qualification or related qualification

Desirable

  • Continuing professional development

Experience

Essential

  • 2 years experience working with children

Desirable

  • Experience working with children in hospital

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

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior Sister

Tanya Bradd

tanya.bradd@nhs.net

03004430405

Details

Date posted

13 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£27,485 to £30,162 a year Per Annum (Pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

390-B&P-BR-3366

Job locations

Broomfield

Court Road

Chelmsford

CM1 7ET


Supporting documents

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