NAHPS
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How old do I have to be to apply for a place on a Hospital Play
Specialist course?
A. At least 20 years old.
Maturity is vital in working with disturbed or severely ill children and their
parents.
Q. What experience would help my application?
A. At least 3 years experience of
working with healthy children in a group setting e.g. school, nursery, scouts
/guides, youth groups etc. Voluntary work in a hospital along side a qualified
Hospital Play Specialist would also help to demonstrate your commitment to and
understanding of the work.
Q. What qualifications do I need?
A. 60% of Hospital Play Specialists hold the NNEB or equivalent
qualification. Other relevant qualifications are CPQS, B Tec childcare, B Tec
in Health Studies and Community. Others have degrees in education, arts,
psychology etc. Some have a professional qualification in a relevant field such
as art/music therapy, social work, teaching, nursing, play leadership or
residential childcare. Other higher/further education qualifications are
considered.
Q. Does my experience and qualification guarantee me a place on a
course?
A. No. Places are limited so suitable applicants are carefully selected
at interview.
Q. What does the course involve?
A. The course is one academic year long, one full day per week. It
consists of lectures, discussion groups, seminars and tutorials. There are two
college block weeks and a practical placement in a hospital (1 week), which is
assessed. If you are not working in a hospital whilst undertaking the course,
you will need to complete a minimum of 200 hours practical experience in a
hospital.
Q. There is not a college offering a HSP course in my area. Are there
any courses that can be undertaken by distance learning? What are my options?
A. You could travel to college for the one day a week required. Perhaps
this could be combined with a hospital placement, which is part of the course.
At present there is no British distance learning package for Hospital Play
Specialists. To date there has not been enough demand to make this viable. You
can contact [email protected]. If there is enough demand for a
course in your area or for a distance learning course, one might be set up! In
the meantime, if you are already working as a Hospital Play Specialist you can
keep abreast of developments and gain valuable knowledge from reading the
Journal, newsletters, materials on our reading list and attending the major
conferences etc. If you feel isolated, you could contact another HPS through
our website, journal or membership directory to share experiences and
knowledge.
Q. Does the HPS course count towards a university degree?
A. The HPS course counts towards an Open
University Course as it is equivalent to an NVQ Level 4, which is first year
degree level and has a CAT points score of around 20. Contact the Hospital Play
Staff Education Trust for further information.
Q. What is the basic pay scale for positions that fall under a Play
Specialist Service?
A. Please refer to website.
Q. Are Hospital Play Specialist qualifications gained in other countries
recognised in the
A. At present, employment in the field of Hospital Play in
The Hospital Play Staff Education Trust, which registers HPS who
complete the Edexcel BTEC Course, plans to set up a
system whereby overseas qualifications can be ratified in the
Q. Do you have any information on the importance of play in hospitals
and the role of the Hospital Play Specialist?
A. Please contact our Information Officer (see contacts page) enclosing
a large SAE. A number of reading lists and publications are available for a
small fee (see publications order form).
Q. Can you give me any information about becoming a Play Therapist?
A. A Hospital Play Specialist provides therapeutic play in hospital and
in the community. Our training is specific to the ill child. Play Therapists
undertake training in play therapy. The two professions are not the same. For
more information on becoming a Play Therapist contact the British Association
of Play Therapists at
e-mail [email protected]
or visit their website at www.bapt.uk.com