Job summary
Isle of Wight NHS Trust - Paediatrics Department
Play Specialist
Salary: Agenda for Change Band 4 (£26,530 - £29,114 pro rata, per annum)
Full Time: 37.5 hours per week
The appointed candidate will plan a range of activities for a variety of children and young people within the hospital setting, taking into account their abilities and the impact of current health. The appointee will provide therapeutic and socialised play for all ages in an effort to fulfil emotional, developmental and social and needs to help alleviate anxiety within families.
Within the scope of the role, the post holder will work collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to:
Provide specialist play and distraction techniques to prepare and support children and young people undergoing clinical procedures/interventions whilst on the paediatric unit and in other areas of the hospital where children are cared for.
Co-ordinate and organise play activities for children of all age
Ensure the provision of play is accessible to every child requiring health care at IOW NHS Trust.
Communicate effectively with children and their families.
Be aware of Child Protection and respond to these within Trust Policy.
Maintain clear, accurate and concise patient records maintaining high levels of confidentiality at all times.
If you wish to discuss the role in further detail, please contact Ward Sister Rachel Murphy: rachel.murphy41@nhs.net (01983 534695)
Main duties of the job
- Procedural distraction
- Theatre preparation & distraction
- MRI preparation & distraction
- Assisting outpatient areas for medical examinations including but not limited to ENT, Ophthalmology, fracture clinic
- Create individual bedside play plans
- Maintain the ward play room
- Working with children with learning disabilities
For a full list of roles and responsibilities, please see the attached job description.
About us
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is an integrated acute and ambulance health care provider in England. We serve a population of approximately 150,000 residents, making the services we offer variable and personalised with a flexible approach to our service users.
Working for our Trust brings a variety of benefits, including an onsite day nursery, cycle-to-work scheme, discounts at local businesses and gyms, and the opportunity to hire Trusts beach hut in Ryde. We offer flexible working opportunities, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement for you and if it works for the service, we will do our best to make it work for you.
The Isle of Wight is a unique and stunning gem located off the South Coast of England, a short ferry journey from Portsmouth and Southampton, with journey times taking from as little as 10 minutes. London can be reached in 90 minutes by rail from Southampton or Portsmouth. The island offers an amazing coastline with beautiful countryside, year-round events, festivals and award-winning attractions.
Our 2020-2025 strategy sets out to ensure that we continue to be a provider of excellent and compassionate care. As part of this strategy, we are proactively taking steps to ensure that we recruit and retain the highest quality of talent to provide CARE and we would welcome applications from under-represented groups to ensure our Trust is an inclusive and diverse employer.
Details
Date posted
11 July 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 4
Salary
£27,485 to £30,162 an hour pro rata, per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number
470-25-0018-PL
Job locations
Children's Ward, St. Mary's Hospital
Parkhurst road
Newport
PO30 5TG
Employer details
Employer name
Isle of Wight NHS Trust
Address
Children's Ward, St. Mary's Hospital
Parkhurst road
Newport
PO30 5TG
Employer's website
https://www.iow.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)












Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Supporting documents
Privacy notice
Isle of Wight NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)