Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to appoint a Play Assistant to join a very well-established play team of play specialists, leaders, volunteers and students. The role will involve working closely within the team and within the wider multi-disciplinary team, as well as, and most importantly, patients and families.
A strong candidate will have experience of working with children and young people (CYP) in settings where CYP require additional support and attention to help them through a potentially tough day. Having a deep caring nature and understanding of many issues children and young people face, physically, emotionally, and mentally will help to provide the bespoke patient centred care that we strive to provide.
Main duties of the job
A typical day would involve getting to know the patients within various settings across the paediatric departments. This could be on the ward, the assessment unit, day unit, child development centre or the emergency department, depending on where your assistance is needed. You will need to show ability to dive right into getting to know patients and families within a short period of time. Excellent communication is extremely important within this role.
You would provide play and recreation that is adapted and suitable to the needs of a child, emotionally, physically, and developmentally. Activities provided will be based around the patients interests or in line with awareness days, weeks, or months. An understanding of CYP's interests helps to adapt activities and play to their needs.
It is important to have a great understanding of child development to be able to enable the recovery process through positive interactions and play. There will also be an expectation to provide a stimulating environment, which includes cleaning play equipment, setting up activities and changing display boards to promote the awareness of health, safety, and education. The role will also involve gathering patient and family feedback so that we can improve our services. This list is extensive and will include other requirements of the role as and when needed.
About us
Our benefits
We offer a range of benefits to support our staff including:
- Access to the NHS Pension Scheme, providing generous benefits upon retirement, as well as a lump sum and pension for dependants
- 27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service)
- A variety of different types of paid and unpaid leave covering emergency and planned leave
- Confidential advice and support on personal, work, family and relationship issues, 24/7, from our Employee Assistance Programme
- NHS Car Lease scheme and Cycle to Work scheme
- An extensive range of learning and development opportunities
- Discounts on restaurants, getaways, shopping, motoring, cinema and finance from a range of providers
For further information on the fantastic range of benefits we offer please visit the Trust's dedicated Staff Benefits pages.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britains Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
Our Trust continues to strongly encourage our staff to be vaccinated against COVID19, this remains our best defence to protect our patients, ourselves, and everyone else.
Job description
Job responsibilities
A full description of the role is available in the attachment: job description.
Working for the Trust
Across our organisation, people are guided by values that were co-developed with staff: we are kind; we are open; and we pursue excellence.
Our values play into our ambition to develop a more diverse workforce, truly representative of our communities. We welcome applications from everyone, while working with our Staff Networks - including our Race Equality, LGBTQ+, Disability and Carers Networks - to increase the number of applications we receive from different backgrounds. If there is anything we can do to make our application process more accessible to you, please contact: yhs-tr.recruitment@nhs.net
As part of seeking to become more inclusive, we will consider requests for flexible working from the start of your employment. It may not be suitable for every role, but we will try and be supportive where we can. We would encourage you to speak to the recruiting manager named within this advert to discuss any requirements you may have.
Armed Forces Friendly Employer
We are holders of the Gold Award from the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme, which is helping actively promote SaBRE - Supporting Britains Reservists and Employers. This means that we have made a statement of intent to support all Defence personnel, including with applications for employment.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements
Our Trust continues to strongly encourage our staff to be vaccinated against COVID19, this remains our best defence to protect our patients, ourselves, and everyone else.
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Level 3 or equivalent childcare and education/child development/play qualification
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Level 3 or equivalent childcare and education/child development/play qualification
Experience and Knowledge Required
Essential
- 2 years' experience of previous employed role within childcare desirable e.g. nanny, day nursery or pre-school
- Planning and implementing activities
- Awareness of protocols and procedures, i:e risk assessments, cleaning policies
Desirable
- Work experience of the children's learning journey
- Experience with children with additional needs and behaviours
- Experience with young adults
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Have an awareness of developmental needs and requirements
- Good communication skills including written Computer Literate
- Knowledge of the EYFS and Ofsted Statutory requirements
- Knowledge of child development
- Calm, approachable and organised manner.
- Able to meet the care needs of the child.
- Good initiative, common sense and ability to put the children's needs first.
- Able to work independently, within a team, in partnership with parents and other professionals
Aptitude and Personal Qualities
Essential
- Empathetic disposition
- Friendly and approachable, keen and enthusiastic
- Shows confidence in role with equality and fairness to others
- Has strong organisational skills and shows clear communication
- Willing to participate in extra-curricular activities e.g study days and supervision sessions
- Willing to work varying day shift patterns to cover the needs of the service
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours:
Person Specification
Education, Qualifications and Training
Essential
- Level 3 or equivalent childcare and education/child development/play qualification
- Evidence of continued professional development
Desirable
- Level 3 or equivalent childcare and education/child development/play qualification
Experience and Knowledge Required
Essential
- 2 years' experience of previous employed role within childcare desirable e.g. nanny, day nursery or pre-school
- Planning and implementing activities
- Awareness of protocols and procedures, i:e risk assessments, cleaning policies
Desirable
- Work experience of the children's learning journey
- Experience with children with additional needs and behaviours
- Experience with young adults
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Have an awareness of developmental needs and requirements
- Good communication skills including written Computer Literate
- Knowledge of the EYFS and Ofsted Statutory requirements
- Knowledge of child development
- Calm, approachable and organised manner.
- Able to meet the care needs of the child.
- Good initiative, common sense and ability to put the children's needs first.
- Able to work independently, within a team, in partnership with parents and other professionals
Aptitude and Personal Qualities
Essential
- Empathetic disposition
- Friendly and approachable, keen and enthusiastic
- Shows confidence in role with equality and fairness to others
- Has strong organisational skills and shows clear communication
- Willing to participate in extra-curricular activities e.g study days and supervision sessions
- Willing to work varying day shift patterns to cover the needs of the service
Values & Behaviours
Essential
- Ability to demonstrate our organisational values and behaviours:
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
