ATTAINING THE QUALIFICATION AND REGISTRATION AS A HOSPITAL PLAY SPECIALIST (HPS)
Registration as a qualified hospital play specialist is only complete when the candidate has successfully completed the practical and academic requirements of the Professional Diploma in Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People and signed that they agree to abide by the Hospital Play Specialists Code of Professional Conduct.
Minimum Entry Requirements
- A professional childcare qualification at level 3 or above
- 3 years post qualifying experience working in a childcare setting
- Mature candidates may present with a more varied profile which will be assessed by the college.
Vocational Practice in the Work Place
This must run concurrent with the one day a week attendance in college and can be met in one of the follow ways:-
- Working in a hospital play environment under the supervision of a registered HPS
- Employed as a lone practitioner in a hospital play environment with a period of alternative practice supervised by a registered HPS
- Working in a Hospice or Neonate Unit plus 150 hours placement in an acute hospital play environment under the supervision of a registered HPS
- 200 hours placement in a hospital play environment under the supervision of a registered HPS.
Prospective Students
Application should be made direct to the college. Each has its own admissions procedure, sets its own dates for starting and finishing and sets its own fees.
Already hold a qualification in Hospital Play?
For candidates with a qualification in hospital play acquired in another country or with a college certificate awarded before 1988. These candidates may become registered hospital play specialists by providing evidence of training, subsequent satisfactory practice and continued professional development. (This may include an interview and / or presentation of a professional portfolio). Failure to meet the criteria set by the Board would mean that the candidate would have to undertake the full programme of study as above.