Play Assistant

+ To provide a safe and welcoming environment demonstrating a caring and relaxed attitude towards any child and family entering the ward or departments
+ To work with children of all ages, individually or in groups in a variety of settings.
+ To organise and supervise play activities for individual and groups of children and young people in hospital according to their individual needs and as part of their overall plan
+ To provide play based observations to support the overall assessment of children and young people
+ To establish effective communication, both verbally and written with children/families and the multi-disciplinary team.
+ To understand and use play documentation to communicate relevant information and /or progress being aware of the need for confidentiality both with the written and spoken word
+ To ensure that all toys, play equipment and facilities are clean, in good repair and stored safety
+ To ensure that a safe environment is created for children their families and staff in accordance with the Trusts safety polic, + To be responsible for achieving standards of care set by example and direction.
+ To be involved in Personal and Development reviews
+ To support play audits
+ To demonstrate flexibility when required to work in other areas
+ To participate in play team meetings
+ To review and reflect on own practice and performance through the effective use of clinical supervision and appraisal
+ To attend mandatory training, keep abreast of current trends in play through reading literature and journals. And being supportive to change

Due to an exciting development we are looking to recruit a band 3 play assistant to join our play team in supporting Children and young people through their hospital journey. Candidates must hold a level 3 child care qualification in order to provide and maintain a safe, friendly and child focused environment. The successful candidate will have excellent knowledge, skills and experience in child development, play and communication skills and demonstrate the ability to document and participate in developmental assessments. Experience of working in a health care setting would be beneficial.

We are one of the biggest and busiest NHS trusts in the country, incorporating the General, Glenfield and Royal Infirmary hospitals. We have our very own Children's Hospital and run one of the country's leading heart centres.
Our team is made up of more than 17,000 staff providing a range of services primarily for the one million residents of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
We work with partners at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University providing world-class teaching to nurture and develop the next generation of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals, many of whom go on to spend their working lives with us.
Our purpose is to provide 'Caring at its best' and our staff have helped us create a set of values that embody who we are and what we're here to do. They are:
+ We focus on what matters most
+ We treat others how we would like to be treated
+ We are passionate and creative in our work
+ We do what we say we are going to do
+ We are one team and we are best when we work together
Our patients are at the heart of all we do and we believe that 'Caring at its best' is not just about the treatments and services we provide, but about giving our patients the best possible experience.
About the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust: (leicestershospitals.nhs.uk)

Please submit your application form without delay to avoid disappointment; we will close vacancies prior to the publishing closing date if we receive a sufficient number of completed application forms.
Please check the email account (including your junk mail) that you supplied as part of your application on a regular basis following the closing date and throughout the recruitment process, as this is how we will communicate with you.
UHL is an equal opportunities employer. We aim to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds who match our job criteria.
Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be interviewed if you indicate you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.
UHL is committed to helping colleagues balance the demands of both their work and personal needs through flexible working arrangements wherever reasonably practicable and subject to service needs.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
Please note if you are successful in obtaining this position and the post involves regulated activity you will be required to undertake a Disclosure & Barring Service check.
The Trust will pay for the check initially and the money will then be deducted from your salary over a three month period commencing on your first month's payment.
The current price of a check is £38 for an enhanced and £18 for a standard check.
COVID 19 Risk Assessment
Due to the current Covid pandemic we have introduced a staff risk assessment into our pre-employment process. This now forms part of the mandatory pre-employment checks that will be carried out if you receive a conditional offer.
The risk assessment is intended to ensure you are able to safely perform your duties in any of our work areas, and if you have been identified as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus. Our main aim is to reduce risk and to ensure the safety of all new starters to the Trust as well as current staff, patients and visitors.
If it is identified that you are within a vulnerable category, we will endeavor to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate this through discussions with both Occupational Health and your recruiting manager.
Covid Vaccination Status
Covid-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, family, colleagues and our patients/service users from the Covid-19 virus. We therefore continue to encourage our current and potential colleagues to get vaccinated.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust holds the principles of equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything it does and all that it stands for. We are committed to developing a workforce that is representative of the community we serve. We welcome applications from the diverse community of Leicester, Leicester and Rutland, to help deliver healthcare services that meets the needs of our diverse communities.