Child Health Play Specialist

We're looking for a passionate, creative and highly motivated Hospital Play Specialist to join our dedicated team at UHS. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families during their hospital journey.

In this role, you'll be at the centre of creating positive, meaningful experiences for children across the entire children's hospital. Working closely with our multidisciplinary team, you'll use specialised play techniques to support children through procedures, reduce anxiety, and help them feel safe, understood and empowered.

You'll bring warmth, imagination and confidence to every interaction -- whether you're leading engaging distraction activities during treatments, transforming clinical spaces into welcoming child-friendly environments, or supporting families as they navigate challenging moments. Your ability to connect with children and young people of all ages will be key to helping them feel at ease and in control.

As a valued member of our team, you'll also play an active role in mentoring and supporting colleagues, helping to shape a vibrant, collaborative and child-centred play service.

If you're enthusiastic, flexible, and committed to delivering exceptional care through therapeutic play, we'd love to hear from you. This is your chance to bring joy, comfort and creativity to children when they need it most -- and to be part of a team that truly makes a difference.

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.