Healthcare Play Specialism

If you love working with children and want to play a key role in their learning and development, then this course is for you. Play is a natural part of childhood and enables children to explore the world they live in through recreations. For children that undergo medical procedures, play is vital to them to help them make sense of what will happen to them.

The course is for anyone who wants to work with and support children, in a hospital or community setting, by helping to make the most of their stay by preparing them for the medical interventions they will experience. You will learn techniques of therapeutic play and how to support not only the child but their parents, siblings and wider family during this difficult time.

This course looks at therapeutic play with an aim to help you develop practical skills and knowledge by linking theory to practice. It integrates academic study with workplace experience, whilst working with a qualified mentor. You will be expected to complete 200 hours in a relevant placement (HPSET outlined) per year.

The Professional Body HPSET will visit at least twice during each year to provide support for students during their practical placements. The university APLT will also visit twice a year in order to ensure university requirements are being met and to discuss any academic issues that may arise or any changes to University regulations.

Once you successfully complete this course, you can register as a Healthcare Play Specialist with HPSET, the Healthcare Play Specialist Education Trust.

This course is validated by The University of West London.