Health play specialist

Health play specialists use therapeutic play activities to help children and young people cope with illness, treatment and recovery.

Also known as: Hospital play specialist

• Starter salary£28,000 a year
• Experienced£39,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 40 a week

What you'll do

As a health play specialist, you would:

• work closely with children, families, carers and health professionals
• carry out therapeutic assessments
• design play activities to meet children's individual needs
• plan and run play, art and craft activities at the bedside, on the ward or in a hospital play area
• create a safe environment that encourages play
• advise parents and carers about activities they can do with their children
• maintain patient records and data

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, at a health centre or at a hospice.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear a uniform.

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• sensitivity and understanding
• the ability to understand people's reactions
• excellent verbal communication skills
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• a desire to help people
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to work well with others
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

How to become a health play specialist

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship

University

You can do a healthcare play specialism foundation degree, which you'll need to register with the Society of Health Play Specialists.

To get onto the course, you usually need:

• a childcare qualification at level 3 or above
• GCSEs or equivalent in English and maths
• at least 2 years' experience of working with children – paid or voluntary

This is a 2-year, day-release course. It combines academic study with work placements.

If you're not already working in a healthcare setting, you'll need to arrange a placement during the course. You will need to complete at least 200 hours of work placements for each year.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
• at least 1 A level, or equivalent, for a foundation degree

Apprenticeship

You may be able to apply for the Health Play Specialist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship, if you have at least 2 years' experience of working with children. You should also be employed in a healthcare setting, for example a hospital or clinic.

You can find vacancies through NHS Jobs.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Volunteering

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

You can also find opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do it .

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

You will need to find an experienced health play specialist, who is registered with the Society of Health Play Specialists, to act as your mentor during workplace training.

Career path and progression

You could use your experience to work outside of a hospital setting, for example in a hospice or within a community paediatric team.

You could also become a:

• senior play specialist
• team leader
• play department manager

You might apply to train as a healthcare professional, like a children's nurse, child psychotherapist or counsellor.

Career tips

You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would apply in your work.

Registration

• you'll need to register with the Society of Health Play Specialists

Guides for this industry

• Health & Social Care: pay, interviews and getting started →

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