Job Description

We have a rare opportunity to join our Play Team on the Child and Adolescent Unit but also supporting in the Children's Out Patient Department.



Our Play Team works with Children and Young People in all areas of Paediatrics including children having surgery, children who are admitted as inpatients, children on the Assessment Unit and children in the ' Out Patient Department.



A typical day may involve meeting a child who needs to have surgery, using play to understand if the child has any worries about the operation, finding out what their interests are and providing appropriate distraction toys. Then to accompany the child to the theatre transfer and into the anaesthetic room, advocating for them and their family.



To work as part of the Play Team to provide a high quality, holistic play service for children and young people enabling them to feel safe and at ease in the hospital environment.



To ensure children and young people have access to appropriate play and distraction activities whilst in hospital.



To implement play programmes that have been prepared by the play specialists to enable children and young people to understand, accept and co-operate with treatment.



To facilitate play sessions on a one to one basis or as a group session within the Play room.



Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides comprehensive hospital and community services for East Cheshire (population 399K) and West Cheshire and Chester (population 357K). Our services include planned and unplanned/emergency care, cardiac and critical care, child health, maternity, and intermediate care across Leighton Hospital in Crewe, Victoria Infirmary in Northwich, and Elmhurst Intermediate Care Centre in Winsford.



Through our community arm, Central Cheshire Integrated Care Partnership, we deliver extensive services in 26 medical centres and schools in collaboration with Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS FT and the South Cheshire and Vale Royal GP Alliance. With 500 beds and around 5,500 staff, we are one of the area's largest employers.



Since the formation of Integrated Care Systems in July 2022, the Trust has become a key partner in Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester and in two provider collaboratives, aligning our strategic goals with the Cheshire & Merseyside Integrated Care System.



As part of the national New Hospital Programme, we're reimagining Leighton Hospital to create a new health and care neighbourhood, transforming healthcare delivery for a Healthier Future. Learn more on our Healthier Futures website .



At Mid Cheshire, our mission is to inspire hope and provide unparalleled care for the people and communities of Cheshire, helping them to enjoy life to the fullest.



KEY DUTIES



To provide developmental play and recreation for all ages and diversities in an effort to fulfill emotional, social and developmental needs

To work as a member of the multidisciplinary team, contributing to patient treatment and care plans

To use play as a tool to communicate and build a rapport with children and young people attending hospital

To provide interesting and stimulating play programmes for children, young people and their families

To promote the awareness of the emotional needs of children and young people in hospital and the importance of play within the multidisciplinary team

To help create a safe and welcoming environment for all children to experience play whilst in hospital

To document play interventions and any observations of children playing in line with Trust policy and procedure

To provide play-based observations to influence and support the overall assessment of the child and report any concerns to the play specialist and/or the nurse in charge

To contribute to the selection, monitoring and ordering of play resources to reflect the needs of the patient group

To be responsible for maintaining play equipment, in accordance with trust health, safety and infection prevention and control policies

To support the orientation, training and supervision of new staff and students

Where appropriate to support and involve parents in their child's treatment and play plans

To assist in establishing communication links with other agencies involved with the child

To refer children to Local Education Authority who require educational support

Ensure up to date knowledge of child protection procedures

To respect the individuality, values, cultural and religious diversity of patients and their families, contributing to the provision of a service which is sensitive to their needs

Ensure compliance with Trust policies, procedures and guidelines for self and others, by taking action/alerting senior management team if practice appears to contravene policy, or if concerned about any aspect of patient care.

Take responsibility for own learning and development by recognising and taking advantage of all opportunities to learn, including full participation in appraisal, supervision, action learning and by maintaining a professional/personal portfolio of learning.

Comply with Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) policies and procedures as appropriate to their role and responsibilities in their individual work setting. Staff are required to be personally accountable for their actions and be responsible for their own compliance in relation to IP&C polices, protocols or advice.

Always work in accordance with the values and behaviours of the trust.