Introduction
Nursing Services has identified a subset of patients who may benefit from access to a supervised, enclosed play space within a ward setting. The play space is only to be used for a very select patient population who would benefit from individualised floor time and a developmental play session in a safe environment.
The enclosed play space is part of a wider play, social and emotional plan, where these children can practice some of the play and social skills they may not have had the opportunity to, in a safe, enclosed space. For such patients; the Play Therapy team will develop a comprehensive play plan to be shared with the child's main care team. The plans will be shared with family, nursing staff, play therapists and volunteers involved in patient play time.
Aim
Access to a supervised, enclosed play space within the ward environment, will assist in maximising the social and emotional development of children requiring playtime support in a consistent way.
Definition of terms
- Play Space: A Royal Children’s Hospital approved structure with four sides designed for a small child to play inside of safely, under the direct supervision of nursing staff, volunteers or play therapists.
- Play Plan: Individualised, developmentally appropriate written plan, to support the wholistic development of children and young people.
Assessment
- Patients under the age of 3 years who require individualised floor time and developmental play sessions.
- Medically stable patients.
Management
- When the child is in the play space they must, at all times, be in the line of sight of nursing staff, volunteer or play therapist.
- Must be used in Pod open spaces, not patient rooms.
- Portable oxygen and suction must be easily accessible for use if required
- Play structure will meet Australian Product safety standards
- The enclosed play structure will be positioned on a non-slip mat as per OH&S recommendations.
- The play structure will be fully accessible from multiple points.
- Staff / volunteers will be educated on safe handling practices.
- For example of individualised Educational Play Plan and Template
Documentation
Document the use of the educational play space in the EMR as follows: Flowsheets --> Primary Assessment --> Disability --> Disability Comment
Ongoing management
- Regular review of child’s care and play plan.
Special considerations
Infection prevention and control
Manual handling
- Ambulant patients to enter and exit play space independently via gate.
- Non-ambulatory patients to be taken into and out of the play space via gate.
Companion documents
Educational Play Therapy Developmental Play Plan template & example
Evidence Table
Click here to view the evidence table in PDF format.
References
UN Charter for Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
Educational Play Therapy
Product Safety Australia, Australian Competition & Consumer Commission
Royal Children’s Hospital : Policies and Procedures : Toys, play and educational equipment – Cleaning of (Internal RCH access only)
Royal Children’s Hospital : Policies and Procedures : Environmental Cleaning (Internal RCH access only)
Please remember to read the disclaimer.
The development of this nursing guideline was coordinated by Helen Codman, Education Outreach Program Manager,Nursing Education, and approved by the Nursing Clinical Effectiveness Committee. Updated March 2017.