Person Specification

Knowledge & Qualifications

Essential

• Registered & qualified Health Play Specialist holding the Foundation Degree in Health Care Play Specialism or previous HPSC/HPSEB, Edexcel PDC/HND in Hospital Play Specialism or overseas equivalent.
• Knowledge of and ability to analyse professional and ethical issues, including professional boundaries, clinical governance and safeguarding children policies and practice.
• Applied knowledge of recent health policy & guidance and NAHPS Guidelines for professional Practice.

Desirable

• NNEB/ NVQ Level 3 or equivalent training involving normal child care and development.
• Bachelor’s Degree (or overseas equivalent) in a subject relevant to working with children and/or young people.

Experience

Essential

• Post-qualifying and recent, comprehensive experience of working with children and/or young people in a health care setting, in a variety of clinical areas, and/or vast experience in a specialised field.
• Experience of providing family-centred care and working with the extended family.
• Comprehensive experience of leading play/recreation activities for babies, children, and/or young people.
• Previous experience of applying presentation skills through formal and/or informal teaching of students and staff.

Desirable

• Experience of working with children and/or young people with special needs, including those with challenging behaviours.
• Experience of supporting, teaching, training, assessing, and supervising junior staff, students, and/or volunteers.

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Able to communicate effectively with patients, families, and staff, in written, verbal, and nonverbal forms.
• Ability to work independently, manage own workload, and determine priorities under pressure.
• Ability to work as an individual as well as within a team, effectively and efficiently.

Desirable

• Basic competency using Word and Excel.

Other Requirements

Essential

• Able to work flexible hours and weekends according to the needs of the clinical area.
• Up-to-date registration with HPSET.
• Documented evidence of Continuing Professional Development

Desirable

• Membership of the NAHPS Professional Body.

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: 19 April 2026