Play Assistant

Department Children’s ServicesBand 3 £24,937 - £26,598 Per annum, pro rata Hours 19 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible workingAre you passionate about using play to support children during their hospital experience? Do you have the skills and enthusiasm to create a positive, playful environment that promotes emotional and physical recovery? If so, then we would love to hear from you about joining our fabulous team as a Play Assistant!With the role of play becoming ever more valued at MKUH, we are passionate about creating an environment where play is not just an activity but a vital component of healthcare, supporting developmental, therapeutic and recovery needs. We need another kind, well organised, motivated and enthusiastic person to join our team. The post of play assistant requires a dynamic forward-thinking person, the role will involve preparation for children and their families for blood tests and operations and creating and delivering play plans and activities to children of all ages.If you think you have what it takes to bring play to children in hospital, please apply to join our team!Please note that we are not able to offer sponsorship for this role.For further information or to arrange an informal visit to the Paediatric Unit please contact Senior Sister Philippa Cullen-Prince on 01908 996588 or Laura Clarke 01908 996377 or via email philippa.cullenprince@mkuh.nhs.uk or laura.clarke@mkuh.nhs.uk'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'To meet the play and emotional needs of any babies, children, young people and their families attending the hospital and to participate in the creation of a safe, child friendly environment.You will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the play needs of the child in hospital, providing age appropriate explanations and discussion for the child and family, about the child’s treatment.You will provide play activities to help children cope with any pain, anxiety or fear they might experience during their time in hospital. Play is also used to prepare children for treatment, distract them during a procedure, and help them understand what they have experienced.Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a “Good” rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards – a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards – and the recently approved Women and Children’s Centre, set to open by 2030.Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton KeynesFor further details / informal visits contact: Name: Philippa Cullen-Prince Job title: Senior Sister Email address: Philippa.CullenPrince@mkuh.nhs.ukInterview date 10 November 2025