An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified and registered Health Play Specialist (band 4) to join our Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service working within the Acute Child Health Directorate at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales (NACHfW).
Job Title: Health Play Specialist
Job Type: Full-time
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Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
Salary: 27,898 – 30,615 £ / Year
Deadline: 15 December 2025
Main duties of the job
To provide an accessible and inclusive service to meet the needs of the patient populations’ accessing the Therapeutic and Specialised Play Service within Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales(NACHfW).
To utilise a range of clinical skills, experience and knowledge to assess patient need allowing for appropriate prioritization of therapeutic play preparation, distraction, and emotional support for babies, children and young people (BCYP) as needs present.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- FdA Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex / BTEC in Specialised play for the sick child, previous HPSC/ HPSEB, or international equivalent.
- Registered Health Play Specialist with Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS)
- Knowledge and understanding of the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Standards.
Desirable
- Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Math’s (GCSE Grade A* – C)
- NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA)
- Communication training E.g., MAKATON, BSL, SIGN ALONG, Touch cues etc.
- Training in; Guided Imagery, Adolescent Development, Teaching/Coaching
Experience
Essential
- Previous experience of working with BCYP in a health care setting providing preparation, distraction and post procedural interventions.
- Previous experience of working with BCYP including individual and group work.
- Previous experience in adapting to specific communication needs when working with BCYP.
- Knowledge and awareness of the emotional and personal impact of the work and the ability to self-manage or seek help appropriately.
- Knowledge of SoHPS Guidelines for Professional Practice.
- Knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions to support BCYP cope with and understand their healthcare journey.
- Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development
- Experience of supervision of staff and/or volunteers
Desirable
- Post qualifying, experience of working with BCYP in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas and/or vast experience in specialised field.
- Knowledge of the principles and application of clinical governance.
- Experience working with children with complex health and/or learning disabilities.
Skills and Attributes
Essential
- Ability to build a good rapport and communicate with babies, children and young people, parents/carers, and families to support during hospital journey.
- Ability to navigate difficult conversations and support those with communication difficulties.
- To demonstrate a good level of self-awareness and the ability to be a reflective practitioner.
- Demonstrable IT Skills to include excel, word and creating presentations.
- Ability to understand and adhere to professional boundaries
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Ability to relate to and support the wider MDT in the care of BCYP during their healthcare journey.
Desirable
- Welsh Language Skills are desirable levels 1 to 5 in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Welsh
- Ability to assess risks and manage risk benefit analysis, sharing this information in an effective way.
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, utilising time management and organisation skills.
Other
Essential
- Demonstratable CPD in line with expectations of SoHPS registration.
- Enhanced DBS clearance including an Adults and Childrens Barred List check
Note:
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Application Process:
For more information and application, CLICK HERE
