Person Specification

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Ability to recognise stress in self and others and take appropriate action.
• Ability to motivate and prioritise workload for self and others in the team
• Ability to use a diplomatic approach with both practice and management issues.
• Ability to build effective working relationships at MDT levels.

Desirable

• Ability to contribute to teaching programmes for students and affiliated staff about the profession
• Ability to apply and evaluate independent projects within the workplace

Education & Qualifications

Essential

• Foundation degree in Healthcare Play Specialism
• Edexcel Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or HPSC/HPSEB or overseas equivalent
• Current registration with HPSET or overseas equivalent.
• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development (up-to-date professional portfolio)

Desirable

• Additional training relevant to the role
• Communication strategies, e.g., Makaton

Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• General & current working knowledge of children’s legislation
• Good foundation of clinical experience with a wide range of children and families in the hospital setting and/or community.
• Experience with children with additional needs – such as challenging behaviour, neurodiversity disabilities, and multiple health needs
• Specialist knowledge and application of therapeutic assessments and interventions relevant to the patient group and treatment plan

Desirable

• Experience of audit procedures.
• Experience & confidence working with adolescents
• Experience working with a multi-professional team

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).

Closing Date: 07 May 2026