Hospital Play Support Worker | Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and motivated Hospital Play Support Worker to join the Play Team at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital.

The role includes working alongside other Play Support workers, Health Play Specialists and a Youth Worker to enhance the hospital experience of children, young people and their families.

Play is essential to children and young people's health and wellbeing, and with this in mind the candidate will use their knowledge of play development to provide a wide range of stimulating play activities. You will provide holistic support to patients and families creating normalised and therapeutic play opportunities, reflecting on diversity and inclusion.

The Hospital Play Support Worker will be required to work both autonomously, and will be required to organise their working day to fit in with the needs of the patients and families.

You will be working in collaboration with physio's, psychology, hospital school and the rest of the multi- disciplinary team to ensure a positive patient care pathway. Ideally, the successful candidate would have excellent verbal and communication skills, and a clear understanding of safeguarding processes and patient confidentiality.

To organise and supervise play activities for individuals and groups of children and young people in hospital, according to their individual needs and as part of the overall plan of care., To provide play sessions and activities for children at their bed spaces where they cannot come into the designated space.

To organise and tailor play and recreation activities to the individual needs of the patient and circumstance.

To offer play intervention for siblings.

To plan a programme of daily play activities for the playroom or outpatient play areas.

To establish effective and professional communication, both verbal and written with children/families and all members of the multidisciplinary team. Referring information to seniors when appropriate.

To provide play based observations to support the overall assessment of the child.

To ensure that up to date written records and activity data are maintained in accordance with Professional and Trust standards Professional Ethics.

To comply with Trust policies

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, and contribute to the provision of a service sensitive to these need.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

We welcome applications for flexible working arrangements, accommodating requests where possible to support our staff and patient needs.

The Trust is committed to equality and welcomes applications from all, regardless of background. Adjustments can be made for disabled candidates. Early application is advised as vacancies may close once sufficient applications are received. If you haven't heard from us within three weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probationary period.