Band 4 Health Play Specialist

We are seeking to appoint a dynamic and enthusiastic candidate to the role of Health Play Specialist within our Acute Play Services team, part of our Babies, Children's, & Young People Division.

This role is based at our North Middlesex University Health Unit and is offered at full time, working Monday - Friday working on our Play Services roster, and this role will include some weekend working.

The postholder will work across all areas of the health unit, including but not limited to, our:

• T2 Rainbow Ward
• Paediatric Assessment Unit
• Ocean Day Unit
• Children's Outpatient Department
• Child & Adolescent Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Liaison Team

Please note:

Main duties of the job

To provide and participate in the design and delivery of play/recreation activities for all children and young people attending the Trust from birth up to the age of eighteen, in accordance with their medical condition, cultural and individual needs.

To liaise with the senior play specialist and other members of the multidisciplinary team to enhance the emotional wellbeing of the child or young person and their families throughout their hospital stay To provide play and use distraction techniques for children attending areas of the hospital outside the Women and Children directorate. Help families to celebrate key events & milestones. Be part of a friendly, thriving team of play specialists, play workers & volunteers. Children's health & wellbeing is at our core & your contribution will make a real impact within a team who value play.

About us

Our trust has over 17,000 staff serving 2 million patients every year. It comprises Barnet Hospital, Chase Farm Hospital, the Royal Free Hospital, North Middlesex University Hospital and more than 30 services in the community. This larger scale organisation provides an unprecedented opportunity for us to continue our pioneering work, particularly in finding ways to deliver even better care to our patients.

Our mission is to deliver world class care and expertise in our clinical services, underpinned by world class teaching and research and we will continue to measure our progress against our five governing objectives: excellent outcomes, excellent patient and staff experience, excellent value for taxpayers' money, being safe and meeting our external duties, and building a strong organisation.

Everyone is welcome at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust. We're proud of our diversity and we continue to undertake new initiatives to advance equality for LGBT+, BME, gender equality, staff carers and people with disabilities and lived experiences to promote good relations and understanding between our staff.

Details

Date posted

06 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£33,262 to £36,027 a year

Per annum inclusive of HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

391-NMUH-8286513

Job locations

North Middlesex University Hospital

Sterling Way

London

N18 1QX

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

A full list of duties and responsibilities will be found within the job description and requirements for the role can be found within the person specification.

Job responsibilities

A full list of duties and responsibilities will be found within the job description and requirements for the role can be found within the person specification.

Person Specification

Education and Professional Qualifications

Essential

• Registered qualified Hospital Play Specialist holding the Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Edexcel

Desirable

• Membership of SoHPS Professional Body

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with babies, children and young people in healthcare or paediatric setting
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to use therapeutic play techniques to prepare and support children undergoing investigations, treatments, and procedures.
• Ability to support children with additional needs, learning disabilities, or complex health conditions.
• Knowledge of child development and the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children and young people.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• A full understanding and ability to apply preparation, distraction therapy and post procedure play skills
• Basic knowledge of safeguarding policies and relevant health legislation
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/families and staff
• Good organisational, time management, IT and record-keeping skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of HPS, professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Enthusiastic and motivated.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Professional approach to work.
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working.
• Openness - Shares information and good practice appropriately.
• Mutual respect - Treats others with courtesy and respect.

Person Specification

Education and Professional Qualifications

Essential

• Registered qualified Hospital Play Specialist holding the Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Edexcel

Desirable

• Membership of SoHPS Professional Body

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with babies, children and young people in healthcare or paediatric setting
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to use therapeutic play techniques to prepare and support children undergoing investigations, treatments, and procedures.
• Ability to support children with additional needs, learning disabilities, or complex health conditions.
• Knowledge of child development and the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children and young people.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• A full understanding and ability to apply preparation, distraction therapy and post procedure play skills
• Basic knowledge of safeguarding policies and relevant health legislation
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/families and staff
• Good organisational, time management, IT and record-keeping skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of HPS, professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Enthusiastic and motivated.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Professional approach to work.
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working.
• Openness - Shares information and good practice appropriately.
• Mutual respect - Treats others with courtesy and respect.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

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.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Middlesex University Hospital

Sterling Way

London

N18 1QX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

Address

North Middlesex University Hospital

Sterling Way

London

N18 1QX

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.royalfreelondonjobs.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

A full list of duties and responsibilities will be found within the job description and requirements for the role can be found within the person specification.

Education and Professional Qualifications

Essential

• Registered qualified Hospital Play Specialist holding the Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism or Edexcel

Desirable

• Membership of SoHPS Professional Body

Royal Free World Class Values

Essential

• Demonstrable ability to meet the Trust Values

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working with babies, children and young people in healthcare or paediatric setting
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Ability to use therapeutic play techniques to prepare and support children undergoing investigations, treatments, and procedures.
• Ability to support children with additional needs, learning disabilities, or complex health conditions.
• Knowledge of child development and the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children and young people.

Skills and Aptitudes

Essential

• A full understanding and ability to apply preparation, distraction therapy and post procedure play skills
• Basic knowledge of safeguarding policies and relevant health legislation
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients/families and staff
• Good organisational, time management, IT and record-keeping skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of HPS, professional code of conduct and its application in practice

Personal Qualities and Attributes

Essential

• Enthusiastic and motivated.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Professional approach to work.
• Accountability - Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes good team working.
• Openness - Shares information and good practice appropriately.
• Mutual respect - Treats others with courtesy and respect.