Time to play is a newly registered charity aiming to support children of primary school age in Malvern and the surrounding area who are experiencing developmental, emotional or behavioural difficulties. The charity aims to support children through the provision of play and creative arts therapy and practical training for parents, carers and professionals.
We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and fully qualified play therapist who can commit to prioritising work for the charity throughout the year. Therapy for children and work with parents will normally be delivered in schools or at the fully equipped playroom at Time to Play. Hours will be variable and may include evening or weekend working.
Benefits:
* Work with a committed and supportive team
* Professional registration, insurance and supervision costs covered by the charity
* Support with continuing professional development
Job Description
Principal Responsibility
To deliver play services in accordance with Time to Play charitable purposes and objectives.
Specific responsibilities
* To liaise with trustees to establish service requirements.
* To assess applications and referrals and allocate clients to appropriate services (including referring to non-Time to Play services if necessary).
* To provide appropriate client services and interventions including play therapy and talks or training for parents/carers and professionals.
* To work with other professionals where required.
* To risk assess and provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for clients.
* To source and maintain a safe, clean and appropriate kit for use with play therapy clients.
* To source resources for talks or training for parents / carers and professionals.
* To maintain confidentiality unless a client discloses a safeguarding issue.
* To comply with legal requirements and ethical best practice for the service being delivered.
* To make effective use of supervision meetings to ensure the best outcomes for play therapy clients.
* To set up before sessions and clear away leaving the venue in its original condition after use.
* To comply with all Time to Play policies and procedures.
* To maintain accurate records of services and interventions.
* To review play therapy client progress regularly with referrers and provide end of therapy reports where requested.
* To provide trustees with anonymised data on the effectiveness of services and interventions and provide recommendations for further services or service improvements.
* To comply with registration requirements to be listed as a practicing play therapist with the professional standards authority.
* To represent Time to Play positively at all times.
Person Specification
Qualifications and professional registration
Essential
* A post graduate diploma or MA in play therapy.
* Current registration with the professional standards authority as a practicing play therapist.
* Current DBS check.
Desirable
* Relevant qualifications and experience in specific types of play therapy (e.g. Autplay; outdoor play therapy; working with parents).
* Current first aid certificate.
* Current safeguarding and Prevent training.
* Evidence of continuing professional development.
Skills
Essential
* Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills and the ability to adapt these for children of primary school age and adults, including those with special needs or disabilities.
* Excellent therapeutic communication skills (e.g. tracking, reflecting, building rapport).
* Excellent facilitation skills (e.g. giving clear direction, active listening, conflict resolution, questioning, encouragement) and the ability to tailor these for child and adult clients.
* Confident and professional (e.g. to lead a parent workshop; to set limits in the playroom).
* The ability to create a safe and stable environment in which children or adults can express themselves.
* The ability to think creatively to meet client needs (child and adult clients).
* The ability to evaluate sessions to assess progress.
* The ability to plan sessions to meet clinical needs or client objectives.
* Excellent judgement (e.g. when to speak, when to remain silent; when to move from non-directive to directive interventions, when to adapt planned activities).
* Excellent organisational skills (e.g. scheduling appointments, booking rooms).
* The ability to maintain complete and accurate records.
Desirable
* Qualification or experience in the use of yoga or tai chi, mediation and relaxation with children.
Knowledge
Essential
* Pre-therapy data collection including referral forms; parental consent; and administration and scoring of strengths and difficulty questionnaires.
* Methods of working therapeutically using a wide range of play and creative arts media.
* Theories of play, child development, and play therapy.
* Neuroscience (in relation to e.g. play; child development; neurodiversity; trauma, attachment).
Desirable
* Typically presenting problems
* Special needs and disability
* Medication
* Education
* Children’s mental health services
* Parenting styles and methods
Experience
Essential
* At least 200 hours of play therapy work with children under 12, to include conducting parent interviews and reviews; individual and group work with a variety of clients; working in partnership with referral organisations.
Desirable
* Work in a range of settings.
* Delivering talks and training for parents / carers and professionals.
Aptitude, personal qualities and circumstances
Essential
* Ability to form empathetic relationships with children and adults.
* Self-awareness.
* Self-acceptance.
* Able to accept others unconditionally.
* Resilience.
* Patience.
* Reliable.
* Calm under pressure.
* Organised.
* Able to work independently or as part of a team.
* Adaptable.
* Driver with car.
Desirable
* Imaginative.
Job Types: Part-time, Permanent, Zero hours contract, Graduate
Pay: £35.00 per hour
Expected hours: 1 – 15 per week
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Malvern
Application deadline: 19/09/2024
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