Health play specialist
Health play specialists use therapeutic play activities to help children and young people cope with illness, treatment and recovery.
What you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
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.
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.
What it takes
Skills and knowledge
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
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.
How to become
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- an apprenticeship
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
More Information
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
More Information
You can get work experience by volunteering in a healthcare setting, which is useful when applying for courses and jobs.
You can also find volunteering opportunities through The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) and Do IT.
Registration
- you'll need to register with the Society of Health Play Specialists
Career tips
When applying for jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how NHS values would apply in your work.
Further information
You can find out more about becoming a health play specialist from the Society of Health Play Specialists and Health Careers.
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External links
This page contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.