Play Specialist

Job summary

In collaboration with Starlight Children's Foundation, we are excited to be able to offer this fixed term Band 5 Play Specialist role to support Children and Young people (CYP) to cope with their medical condition and develop strategies to manage their associated medical regimen. The service is child needs led and you will offer clinical assessment and interventions within the local community and / or The Grange Hospital dependent on the CYP's needs.

As a team, alongside the hospital-based Play Specialists, you will work with all children, young people, and their families with identified need, but with an emphasis on working with children who have developmental difficulties and / or Neurodevelopmental presentations or children who are having MRIs on a research project. This may involve supporting the wider team and services to understand the importance of play for these children and young people.

In addition to being part of the Paediatric Psychology Service, you will also be part of the Starlight Children's Foundation with access to regular supervision, training, and resources.

As the post is funded externally by Starlight Children's Foundation there will an additional emphasis on data collection for impact measurement and reporting, as well as to support at external events.

If you would like to discuss the roles further, please contact Dr Anne Johnson, Lead Paediatric Psychologist, or Laura Walsh, Play Specialist, Head of The Starlight Foundation.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will use their skills as a qualified and registered Health Play Specialist to oversee the planning, evaluation, and audit of clinical practice, always focusing on the reduction of anxiety and cumulative trauma in the healthcare journey. The role will be based in the community but work closely with their colleagues within the wider service to ensure that the service is child needs led and they are able to support the child or young person if clinically indicated with procedures within the local community and / or The Grange Hospital.

Children and young people will be identified through referral from a variety of sources for pre-assessment and support using therapeutic play techniques. There will be a particular emphasis placed on supporting children within the community setting who have developmental difficulties and / or Neurodevelopmental presentations. This may involve supporting the wider team and services to understand the importance of play for these children and young people.

As well as supporting children to understand their medical treatment and diagnosis, the Health Play Specialist may support with transition into and out of healthcare and into adult care. As the post is funded externally by Starlight Children's Foundation there will an additional emphasis on data collection for impact measurement and reporting, as well as to support at external events.

About us

Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is a multi-award-winning NHS organisation with a passion for caring. The Health Board provides an exceptional workplace where you can feel trusted and valued. Whatever your specialty or stage in your career, we have opportunities for everyone to start, grow and build your career. The health board provides integrated acute, primary and community care serving a population of 650,000 and employing over 16,000 staff.

We offer a fantastic benefits package and extensive training and development opportunities with paid mandatory training, excellent in-house programmes, opportunities to complete recognised qualifications and professional career pathways including a range of management development programmes. We offer flexible working and promote a healthy work life balance, provide occupational health support and an ambitious plan for a Wellbeing Centre of Excellence to support you at work.

Our Clinical Futures strategy continues to enhance and promote care closer to home as well as high quality hospital care when needed. Join us on our journey to pioneer new ways of working and deliver a world-class healthcare service fit for the future.

Job description

Job responsibilities

You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.

Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

This post is fixed term/secondment for 18 months to meet the needs of the service. If you are interested in applying for the secondment position, you must obtain permission from your current line manager prior to applying for this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

(Registered) Health Play Specialism Degree/ Foundation Degree or NVQ Level 5* NNEB/Btec Diploma in Nursery Nursing or- Btec Diploma in Childcare & Development (relevant childcare qualification NVQ level 3 equivalent )* In addition to above * Demonstrable experience in an acute setting and additional training up to degree equivalent such as communication skills (Makaton/BSL) Guided imagery, adolescent specific skills, play therapy, bereavement skills, and working with children with neurodevelopmental needs.

Desirable

Additional qualifications in a clinically relevant area Child development, working with children with developmental needs and / or Neurodevelopmental needs.

Experience

Essential

Experience working as a Play Specialist in a health setting (hospital and / or community). Significant experience in childcare settings. Experience / knowledge of different cultures and ethnic groups with a specific focus on play and health. Experience of working within multidisciplinary teams.

Desirable

Previous work within Paediatrics / Children with Developmental Delay and / or Neurodevelopmental service

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