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Job summary

Main area
Therapeutic Play
Grade
Band 4
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
Full-Time although Part-Time hours will be considered
Job ref
100-ACS034-0325
Employer
Hywel Dda University Health Board
Employer type
NHS
Site
Glangwili General Hospital
Town
Carmarthen
Salary
£26,928 - £29,551 per annum (pro rata if part time)
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
06/04/2025 23:59
Interview date
14/04/2025

Employer heading

Hywel Dda University Health Board logo

Health Play Specialist

Band 4

Our Hywel Dda values reflect who we are and how we behave. We continuously work together to be the best we can be as we strive to develop and deliver excellent services, putting people at the heart of everything we do. Throughout our recruitment process you will be asked to think about how you would demonstrate these values in the way that you work with us.

If you are registered Health Care professional considering relocating to the Hywel Dda area in West Wales please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment campaigns team directly via [email protected]

To keep up to date with our latest recruitment activity follow us on Facebook (Swyddi Hywel Dda Jobs), LinkedIn or on Twitter @SwyddiHDdaJobs

Hywel Dda University Health Board reserve the right to close vacancies after 24 hours if a large number of suitable applications are received. We encourage early applications to ensure consideration for a post.


 

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a registered Play Specialist to join our Acute Paediatric team in Hywel Dda University Health Board.  The post holder will be expected to devise and deliver individualised play programmes to help support children and young people.  Through the medium of play, they will empower children and young people to understand and process their feelings and emotions around their hospital admission/treatment.

The post holder will provide preparation, distraction and post procedural play/ Development play/recreational play.

We promote holistic family centred care within our service and there will be an expectation to uphold our Health Board values.

Main duties of the job

We are looking to appoint a dynamic, innovative and passionate individual who has the ability to both work in partnership with our families and colleagues.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

Providing a comprehensive programme of therapeutic play interventions through one to one sessions or group work.

Providing specific therapeutic play and support to children and young people in health care settings 

Providing expertise underpinned by theory, education and training in therapeutic play to members of the Multi-Disciplinary Health, Social Care team and third sector agencies.

Maintaining, developing, and evaluating the therapeutic, play service to create a service that remains fit for the future.

The ability to travel between sites in a timely manner is essential as this post will cover three counties. The post will be based in the Children's Centre, Glangwili General Hospital, Carmarthen.

A 7-day cover for the service is required. Hours will be rota'd over a four week period. Three weeks will consist of three 11.5 hour shifts between 7.00am - 19.30pm and one week of four 11.5 hour shifts between 7.00am and 19.30pm. Requests for shift allocation are processed using an app allocate loop. Shift allocation can be discussed at interview.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh
and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Working for our organisation

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the planner and provider of NHS healthcare services for people in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and its bordering counties. Our 12,000 members of staff provide primary, community, in-hospital, mental health and learning disabilities services to almost 400,000 people across a quarter of the landmass of Wales. We do this in partnership with our three local authorities and public, private and third sector colleagues, including our volunteers, through:

Four main hospitals: Bronglais General in Aberystwyth, Glangwili General in Carmarthen, Prince Philip in Llanelli and Withybush General in Haverfordwest.

Five community hospitals: Amman Valley Hospital and Llandovery Hospital in Carmarthenshire,  Tregaron Hospital in Ceredigion and Tenby and South Pembrokeshire Hospital Health and Social Care Resource Centre in Pembrokeshire.

Two integrated care centres (Aberaeron and Cardigan, Ceredigion).
Community facilities, including:

48 General Practices (GP surgeries), 49 Dental Practices, 98 Community Pharmacies (chemists), 44 General Ophthalmic Practices (including eye health and low vision services), 38 sites providing mental health and learning disability services, care within your own homes

Highly specialised and tertiary services commissioned by the Welsh Health Specialised Services Committee, a joint committee representing seven health boards across Wales.

 

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

We would welcome applications from individuals who can demonstrate they have the qualifications, skills, values, knowledge, and experience to provide the professional leadership required for this role.

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences.  In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 14/04/2025.

Person specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • FdA Healthcare Play Specialism, Edex / BTEC in Specialised play for the sick child (previous HPSC/ HPSEB), or international equivalent.
  • Registered Health Play Specialist with Society of Health Play Specialists (SoHPS).
  • Knowledge and Understanding of the SoHPS Code of Professional Conduct and Professional Standards and its application in practice.
  • Knowledge and understanding of child development.
  • Knowledge of the value of play for sick children and young people
  • Sound knowledge of safeguarding issues
  • Demonstrable CPD in line with expectations of SoHPS registration.
Desirable criteria
  • Basic Secondary Education up to 5 GCSE level or beyond, including English and Math’s (GCSE Grade A* - C)
  • NVQ, CACHE, NNEB (Level 3) in Child Care/Play Work or Diploma in Children and Young Peoples Workforce or Early Childhood Studies (BA) Training in counselling skills
  • Sign Language

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Experience in working with children and young people with complex, medical and psychological, in health, social care or educational setting.
  • Documented evidence of continuing professional development.
  • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.

Other

Essential criteria
  • Flexible approach to meet the service delivery
  • Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner
Desirable criteria
  • Welsh Speaker (Level 1)

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareNo smoking policyCymraegMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCarer Confident -Accomplished - WelshStep into healthCarer Confident -AccomplishedDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldCore principlesStonewall 2023 Bronze

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Welsh language skills are desirable

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Karen Thomas
Job title
Head Therapeutic Play
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07977 371518
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