Children's services befriender: Role description

Thank you to Barking, Havering and Redbridge NHS University Hospitals for sharing this role description.

"PLAY GIVES CHILDREN A CHANCE TO PRACTICE WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING"

Assist children and young people to provide feedback using a variety of methods, such as FFT survey before they are discharged from hospital, to encourage and assist carers/parents to complete the FFT survey before discharge. Much of this role is to support the Play Specialists and Play Workers to provide therapeutic play activities for children in the waiting areas of children’s outpatients departments and the day unit / inpatients wards– this could include colouring, painting, sticking, reading stories, constructive play eg lego/duplo, distraction play such as blowing bubbles, using play dough and playing games.

Our volunteers support the Play Specialists in organising and running events in the wards such as musical activities, parties and social events for children and young people or in organising and running user engagement events for children, young people, their carers and families. Listening and chatting with children/young people/their carers/families, keeping company and reassuring anxious and nervous children/young people, carers/families’ patients – providing information for them on catering/shopping facilities/other services available within the Trust and nearby. As a children’s services befriender you will assist the nursing and HCA staff in promptly delivering the meals to children at mealtimes.

Would suit:
18 + and someone who is patient, who likes to engage with young people. Due to the nature of this role an understanding of boundaries is paramount.

Commitment:
Must be available at least one morning or afternoon per week

For the full role description please download the attached PDF