Anthony Nolan Play Specialist

Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust

This job is now closed

Job summary

This is a new and exciting post created with support from Anthony Nolan Charity to offer a dedicated Play Specialist for children and young people receiving Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation under the care of Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust. The post holderwill organise, initiate, and supervise normal and specialised play for the child or young person referred to the HSCT (Haemopoietic Stem Cell Transplant) Team, meeting their complex needs appropriate to their development, medical condition and background. Through the use of therapeutic play, the Hospital Play Specialist will aim to communicate the treatment plan and interventions in an age-appropriate format.

Main duties of the job

Act as a communication link with other team members including the ward, clinic, community and other hospitals.

To plan, create and provide a suitable, safe and stimulating environment conducive to play.

Use persuasive, re-assuring and negotiating skills with the child and family, in order to promote compliance to medical treatment.

To contribute to the planning, implementation and evaluation of suitable health promotion initiatives for the children and their families.

Be responsible for promoting specialist knowledge, advice and guidance to all relevant staff e.g., other play staff, medical staff and the multi-disciplinary team members.

To be aware of and be involved in the current trends of play for hospitalised children and keep updated with best practice.

To attend meetings, conferences and study days relevant to the speciality in order to maintain personal development.

To be responsible for achievement of standards of play set by example and direction.

About us

At Sheffield Children's, our purpose is clear: to provide healthier futures for children and young people. Our three strategic aims are:

Outstanding Patient Care

Brilliant Place to work

Leaders in Children's Health

We work successfully with local, regional, and national partners to provide physical and mental healthcare across acute and community settings. Many of our clinicians are amongst the best in their field, recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.

As well as having enormous pride in what we do, we are a friendly, welcoming, and motivated NHS Trust who are guided by our CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Our nearly 4000 colleagues live these values, ensuring kind and compassionate care that makes patients and their families feel safe and at home.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, we remain committed to enhancing our reputation in children's health leadership, improving the experiences of both patient and colleagues, and focusing on our communities and population health.

Date posted

27 June 2024

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£28,407 to £34,581 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

3 years

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

425-24-6342723

Job locations

Sheffield Children's Hospital

Western Bank

Sheffield

S10 2TH

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the role expectation please see the detailed job description and person specification.

Job description

Job responsibilities

For full details of the role expectation please see the detailed job description and person specification.

Person Specification

Essential

Level 4 BTEC Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People/Registered Hospital Play Specialist Certificate or Playwork Sector Endorsed Foundation degree (PSEFD)
Written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Current registration with Hospital Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET)

Desirable

Membership of Professional Body eg National Association of Hospital Play Staff (NAHPS)
Post qualifying experience working in a childcare setting

Role

Essential

Knowledge of developmental, therapeutic play, preparation and distraction for all age hospitalised children.

Experience

Essential

Knowledge and experience of working with children, their parents and carers in a Haematology/Oncology/HSCT setting.

Insight into role

Essential

To understand the importance of play to minimise the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family.

Desirable

Ability to be flexible within stated hours and areas of work.

Person Specification

Essential

Level 4 BTEC Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People/Registered Hospital Play Specialist Certificate or Playwork Sector Endorsed Foundation degree (PSEFD)
Written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills
Current registration with Hospital Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET)

Desirable

Membership of Professional Body eg National Association of Hospital Play Staff (NAHPS)
Post qualifying experience working in a childcare setting

Role

Essential

Knowledge of developmental, therapeutic play, preparation and distraction for all age hospitalised children.

Experience

Essential

Knowledge and experience of working with children, their parents and carers in a Haematology/Oncology/HSCT setting.

Insight into role

Essential

To understand the importance of play to minimise the effects of hospitalisation on the child and family.

Desirable

Ability to be flexible within stated hours and areas of work.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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