Nursery Nurse/ Play specialist

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Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Nursery Nurse/ Play specialist

The closing date is 29 September 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a qualified Healthcare Play Specialist or Nursery Nurse to join our paediatric team at Bedford Hospital.

This role will be based within the Paediatric Unit, which comprises of Riverbank ward, Children's Assessment Unit, Paediatric Outpatients and Phlebotomy. You will be required to work across all areas, and may occasionally be required to support in A and E.

Main duties of the job

The work that you will be doing will be supported by a combination of evidence based practice and theoretical knowledge which will enable you to plan, implement, review and evaluate therapeutic play programmes that support children and young people emotionally and developmentally.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job

Details

Date posted

15 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience Dependent on qualification

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

418-NUR2497-MR

Job locations

Riverbank ward

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the Ward Managers to find out more about the role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Applicants are strongly encouraged to get in touch with the Ward Managers to find out more about the role.

Person Specification

Application form

Essential

• Working with young people

Desirable

• Working with CAMHS / Eating Disorders

IApplication

Essential

• Qualification Nursery Nurse or Play Specialist
• Experience of working in a hospital setting

Desirable

• Working with SEND children
• Working in a team

Application form and interview

Essential

• Working with young people
• How many years experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of CAMHS

Person Specification

Application form

Essential

• Working with young people

Desirable

• Working with CAMHS / Eating Disorders

IApplication

Essential

• Qualification Nursery Nurse or Play Specialist
• Experience of working in a hospital setting

Desirable

• Working with SEND children
• Working in a team

Application form and interview

Essential

• Working with young people
• How many years experience

Desirable

• Knowledge of CAMHS

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).

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Riverbank ward

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Riverbank ward

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Ward Manager

Julie Sharpe

[email protected]

07702860912

Details

Date posted

15 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

Depending on experience Dependent on qualification

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

418-NUR2497-MR

Job locations

Riverbank ward

Kempston Road

Bedford

MK42 9DJ

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

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