Play and Activity Assistant

Acorns Children's Hospice are looking for a Play & Activity Assistant to support children, young people and families to engage and participate in play and activity that enhances quality of life in our Three Counties Hospice, Worcester.  You will provide high quality, holistic therapeutic play for all children, young people and their families across Acorns, enabling them to feel safe and at ease both within the hospice environment and in the community.

About the Role

At Acorns Children’s Hospice, we provide specialist palliative care for children, and young people with life-limiting and life‑threatening conditions, and we support their families through every step of their journey, and through transition. Our work is defined by compassion, expertise, and an unwavering belief that every child deserves comfort, dignity, and the chance to experience joy.  

As a Play & Activity Assistant, you will: 

• Use your knowledge of child development theories through the life stages to support open ended play and adapt activities to each individual patient
• Help ensure that children and young people are introduced and encouraged to engage in a wide range of stimulating and creative activities by interaction and play, both in and out of doors, encouraging the use of local community facilities where appropriate
• Ensure that the child’s or young person’s psychological and social needs are met as well as their physical care and participate in the development of the service
• Organise and support family splash, play and group activities within the hydrotherapy pool
• Empower children, young persons and their relatives to make decisions about their care and to exercise choice

About You

• Experience of delivery play-based activity to children and young people
• Experience of working with children with complex health needs

What We Offer

• £27,000 to £27,540 per annum
• 37.5 hours per week
• Based in our Three Counties Hospice, Worcester (WR5 3EZ)
• Employee discounts from leading retailers – including the Blue Light Card
• Discounts on refurbished tech
• Eye Test discount
• Health cash plan
• Gym membership and equipment discount scheme
• Bike2Work scheme - save up to 42% on bikes and equipment 
• Wellbeing, legal and financial support
• Generous contribution to group personal pension plan (7.5%) or continuation of current NHS pension scheme
• NHS pension scheme life assurance or Acorns group life assurance scheme 

Interviews are scheduled to be held on 22 June

You need to be eligible to work in the UK to be considered for this role. We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and therefore any successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check for children and will be asked to provide two satisfactory references.  In addition, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of immunisation against specific diseases or confirm their willingness to receive the necessary vaccinations.

As a UNICEF Gold Rights Respecting organisation we are committed to ensuring that the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child is embedded into both culture and practice within the organisation. As an employee you will be a Duty Bearer for Children’s Rights and support all children to be Rights Holders.

If you have any questions, please contact us at recruitment@acorns.org.uk

Find out about our culture, career development, benefits and more here: Why Work for Acorns?