Play Therapist - North West

Location - North West/Lancashire

Our Play Therapists work with children and young adolescents suffering from a range of psychological difficulties and complex life experiences, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, types of abuse, grief, family breakdown, domestic violence, and trauma. Our professionally trained Play Therapist will work to help a child gain insight and understanding of their experiences, which will increase emotional resilience, and develop coping strategies while decreasing problematic behaviours and internalised conflicts. You will work closely with the child’s parents/carers throughout the play therapy.
Typical Work Activities

• Assess the emotional needs of children in consultation with other professionals in schools, hospitals,

clinics, social service teams and courts.

• Provide treatment to children individually and within groups. Therapy usually takes place once a

week, and sessions tend to have a duration of 50 minutes.

• Provide a regular and consistent setting, and time where play therapy will take place.

• Work within a multi-disciplinary team of psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, social

workers, psychiatric nurses and/or occupational therapists.

• Clinically supervise other Play Therapists.

• Offer consultations and advice to professionals in the community.

Training Entry Requirements

An Honours degree in a relevant subject, such as the ones listed below, is an essential pre-requisite as the training is offered at postgraduate level:

• Psychology

• Nursing

• Social Work

• Teaching

• Occupational Therapy

Applicants will ideally have completed a minimum of two years’ work with children of varied ages, and with families in a voluntary or professional capacity. All applicants will also need to be in good physical and mental health. It will be necessary to undergo a check through the Disclosure & Barring Service.

Continuing Professional Development

Qualified Play Therapists are expected to participate in and maintain Continuing Professional Development (CPD). They can demonstrate CPD through a range of activities, including attendance at national conferences, local courses, and meetings to remain abreast of theoretical, clinical and research findings, or by engaging in academic writing or delivering training to others.

If you would like to work for a professional and passionate company who has the interests of their children/young people and employees at heart. If you have personal passion and drive to make the difference to the lives of children and young people, then please apply today!

First Blue is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of everyone in our care and therefore this post is subject to an enhanced DBS check where suitable references will be sought prior to your employment start date