Health play specialist - Natalie Harrison

What degree did you study?

I studied for a Health Play Specialism foundation degree at University Centre Leeds.

What's a typical working day like?

A typical day starts with a handover from the nursing team to identify new admissions, theatre patients, referrals and any children who may require additional support throughout the day. We then prepare the playroom and ward play areas, ensuring they are safe, welcoming and stocked with appropriate resources.

One of our early priorities is supporting children attending theatre through preparation play, helping them understand what will happen and reducing fears or anxieties. Throughout the day, we prioritise children across the children's ward and children's assessment unit, providing therapeutic play, preparation play, distraction during procedures and post-procedural play to help children process their experiences.

We also support children and young people presenting with mental health needs, adapting interventions to meet their emotional and developmental requirements. We manage referrals and prioritise workload according to clinical need, while also covering the paediatric urgent and emergency care centre (UECC) and children's outpatients. We carry a bleep throughout the shift so other areas can request support when required.

The role requires flexibility as priorities can change quickly due to admissions, procedures and referrals. At the end of the shift, we clean and close down the playroom in line with infection prevention policies and ensure appropriate play is left in clinical areas, so children continue to have access after we leave.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I enjoy making a difference to a child's hospital experience. Hospitals can be scary places, and I enjoy helping children feel more comfortable, supported and in control.

I especially enjoy seeing children achieve things they thought they couldn't do - whether that's having a procedure, taking medication or going to the theatre feeling prepared. I also enjoy building relationships with children and families and adapting my approach to meet individual needs. Knowing that even small interactions can positively change a child's experience is very rewarding.

What are the challenges?

One of the main challenges is managing competing priorities across multiple clinical areas, often needing to adapt quickly depending on who needs support most.

Supporting children and families through distressing or difficult experiences can also be challenging, as each child's emotional needs are different and can change quickly. Resilience is key, as the role can be emotionally demanding at times.

Another challenge is workplace understanding of the health play specialist role. While awareness is improving, misconceptions about what we do can still persist. Ensuring colleagues understand the value of therapeutic play helps ensure appropriate referrals and timely support.

How is your degree relevant?

It is directly relevant to my role and has provided me with knowledge of child development, play theory, safeguarding and the impact of healthcare on children and families.

It has helped me understand the evidence behind my practice and reflect on how I can adapt support to meet individual needs. It has also strengthened my confidence in advocating for children within the multidisciplinary team.

How has your role developed and what are your career ambitions?

Since starting, I have grown in confidence, particularly in prioritising workload and working across different clinical areas. I feel more confident making decisions about when and how to support children and advocating for their needs.

I have also developed my practice with a wider range of children, including those with complex needs, anxiety and neurodivergence, adapting my approach more flexibly.

My ambition is to continue developing within the role and contribute to service development, particularly around procedural support and improving experiences for neurodivergent children.

What advice can you give to others who want to get into this job?

• Make sure you understand that the role goes far beyond just 'playing with children' - developing an awareness of how play supports emotional wellbeing, understanding and coping in hospital is really important.
• Gain experience working with children in different settings.
• Develop strong communication, teamwork and flexibility skills.

Find out more

• Read all about being a health play specialist.
• Take a look at the healthcare sector.