Play Specialist

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The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust Play Specialist

The closing date is 13 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Are you a registered play specialist looking for a new, and exciting opportunity?

If so, come and join our amazing team on the Children's Ward at Russells Hall Hospital Dudley. This is an exciting opportunity to work in collaboration with the Play Specialist Team to meet the normalising play needs of children & young people supporting services where children are seen through the facilitation of activities within ward and outpatient clinic areas across the Trust. This is a permanent post, for 18 hours per week.

You will use play to provide basic distraction from the hospital environment. Work flexibly within the play team to facilitate services to support play opportunities for children within the play.

This role is truly rewarding, and with your help we can make a positive difference to a child's journey through the Paediatric Department.

The post holder will work across PAU and the Children's Ward. It is to cover a 7-day service with a variety of shifts, including earlies, and lates.

Main duties of the job

To work in collaboration with the Play Specialist Team to meet the normalising play needs of children & young people supporting services where children are seen through the facilitation of activities within ward, PAU and outpatient clinic areas across the Trust.

About us

At the Dudley Group our patients and staff are at the heart of all that we do and that is to provide a world class service that aligns with our vision of "excellent health care, improved health for all". We are seeking to recruit staff who share our vision and values of making Dudley Group an incredible workplace.

As part of the NHS People Promise, your wellbeing is our priority, and we are committed to ensuring our employees achieve a healthy work-life balance supported by our flexible working options and by making reasonable adjustments where possible. We believe no-one should have to sacrifice family, friends, or their personal interests for work. We are a modern employer able to attract and retain high quality staff through our commitment to the NHS People Promise.

As an employer, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to contribute their best. We want to ensure that our workforce is representative of the population we serve. More information - inclusive practice people promise.

Dudley Group offer many opportunities for our staff to develop and grow within their roles through our Learning & OD Team. These include topics such as communication, wellbeing, team development, cultural competency, and values.

Please click below to view our EDI page: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion - The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust (dgft.nhs.uk)

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

253-1026-8372110

Job locations

Russells Hall Hospital

Pensnett Road

Dudley

DY1 2HQ

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached job description for full details of the main duties and responsibilities that the post holder is required to undertake.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

• Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or Healthcare Play Specialist Certificate and current registration with Hospital Play Specialist Education Trust
• 5 GCSE's A-C grade including English and Maths.

Desirable

• Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training or willingness to undertake

Experience

Essential

• Previous relevant experience, especially in the care of children/young people aged 0-19 years.
• Awareness of the needs of the hospitalised child/young person and family.

Desirable

• Experience of working with children/young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviour.
• Experience of working with children/young people with mental health needs.

Knowledge and Training

Essential

• Knowledge of issues relating to consent and confidentiality.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safe guarding and cultural and diversity awareness.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety issues relating to children/young people and Play
• To be professional and non-judgemental.
• Basic IT skills or be prepared to undertake training identified by the Trust

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

• Ability to meet the play and recreation needs of individuals and groups of children/young people.
• Effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Able to liaise with professionals at all levels.
• Interested in child development.
• Enthusiastic in all aspects of professional and personal development.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Education

Essential

• Certificate in Hospital Play Specialism or Healthcare Play Specialist Certificate and current registration with Hospital Play Specialist Education Trust
• 5 GCSE's A-C grade including English and Maths.

Desirable

• Making Every Contact Count (MECC) training or willingness to undertake

Experience

Essential

• Previous relevant experience, especially in the care of children/young people aged 0-19 years.
• Awareness of the needs of the hospitalised child/young person and family.

Desirable

• Experience of working with children/young people with learning disabilities including those with challenging behaviour.
• Experience of working with children/young people with mental health needs.

Knowledge and Training

Essential

• Knowledge of issues relating to consent and confidentiality.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safe guarding and cultural and diversity awareness.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety issues relating to children/young people and Play
• To be professional and non-judgemental.
• Basic IT skills or be prepared to undertake training identified by the Trust

Communication and Relationship Skills

Essential

• Ability to meet the play and recreation needs of individuals and groups of children/young people.
• Effective written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Able to liaise with professionals at all levels.
• Interested in child development.
• Enthusiastic in all aspects of professional and personal development.

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Russells Hall Hospital

Pensnett Road

Dudley

DY1 2HQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dgft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Russells Hall Hospital

Pensnett Road

Dudley

DY1 2HQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.dgft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Nurse Paediatrics

Louise Garratt

[email protected]

01384456111

Details

Date posted

30 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 4

Salary

£28,392 to £31,157 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

253-1026-8372110

Job locations

Russells Hall Hospital

Pensnett Road

Dudley

DY1 2HQ

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

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