We are a trauma-informed school specialising in bespoke academic support through 1:1 and very small group mental health/ trauma/ SEN services and interventions.

The Play and Creative Arts Therapist post provides for pupils with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) plan or those in the process of applying for an EHCP plan. 

Main purpose of the job

• To provide Play and Creative Arts Therapy for students through individual, group and/or teacher directed therapy sessions
• Provide assessment for current and prospective pupils as needed
• To contribute to training of professional staff and others as required
• To provide written documents as needed at a professional standard
• To provide professional reports and feedback

Safeguarding

• To follow policies and other guidance relating to safeguarding and promotion of wellbeing of children and young people, in particular Keeping Children Safe in Education and School/Centre policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop symbolic communication with students, which involves making a connection between the signs, symbols and actions the student creates through play and how these relate to their experiences.
• Create an in-depth therapeutic relationship with the student which promotes positive change.
• Assess student’s needs using relevant assessment methods.
• Keep written records and produce reports of a professional standard, as requested, in accordance with school policies and procedures and the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) or British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).
• Provide support and guidance to parents and carers and deliver training where needed. The nature of this may include offering home visits or work in other settings at times.
• Support school staff by increasing awareness and understanding of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) difficulties and provide advice, guidance and training where appropriate.
• Work in collaboration with Education, Health, Social Care and other multi-disciplinary colleagues as appropriate to support the student, parents/carers and school based team.
• Contribute, along with other professionals, to the student's plans to ensure that the therapeutic needs are integrated.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team, which may include involvement in other projects benefiting the whole school at times.
• Develop and maintain the skills and knowledge required of a skilled Play Therapist working with students in a school setting.

Professional Partnerships

• Maintain regular contact with parents and carers, to keep them informed of the student’s needs and progress and to secure positive family support and involvement.
• Work closely alongside key members of staff to ensure that the needs of the students are met, including contributing to policies and practices that will promote inclusion and engagement.
• Maintain current knowledge of the range of activities, courses, opportunities and organisations that could provide extra support for students/families and make specialist referrals as appropriate.
• Work closely and collaboratively with the other members of the Multidisciplinary Team providing support and professional exchange of ideas and experience.
• Contribute to team meetings by discussing your own and others input around student needs, ensuring well-coordinated plans.
• Respect the confidential nature of all information acquired in the performance of the job either verbally or in writing.
• To represent the school at multi agency meetings where appropriate.
• To be responsible for maintaining own competency to practise through CPD and maintain a portfolio which reflects personal development in order to maintain appropriate BACP, BAAT or PTUK registration.
• To be accountable for own professional actions and recognise and work within professional boundaries, seeking advice and support as necessary.
• To keep up to date and develop strategies for implementing best practice in clinical areas relating to own caseload.
• To undertake any other duties as may be required as directed by the Multidisciplinary Team Manager.
• To represent the company positively at any local/regional or national events.
• To work flexibly to secure all the job requirements are met whilst maintaining appropriate work: life balance.
• To promote inclusion and equality of opportunity for all students in accordance with school policies.
• To operate within agreed legal and ethical boundaries particularly in regard to Safeguarding.
• To carry out duties in accordance with health and safety legislation and school policies.

Interpersonal and Communication Duties

• To communicate in a clear, concise and culturally appropriate manner to students, staff and family members.
• To be effective in seeking relevant information from other professionals and staff in order to make differential diagnosis and to plan to meet the student’s needs.
• To explain the role of SLT to visitors, parents, students and volunteers as required.
• To effectively motivate students and staff to engage in the therapy by utilising a range of activities, strategies and techniques.
• To attend and participate in relevant clinical, care and organisational meetings as required.
• To promote positive relationships with pupils, families and staff.
• To effectively use IT including Google Drive, Microsoft Word, email, internet to write and securely share reports.
• To ensure that parents/carers/staff are involved in the planning and prioritisation of their programmes wherever possible.

Educational Duties

• To contribute to planning and delivering of training (both formal and informal) to parents/carers, teachers and other school staff in Play and Creative Arts therapy.
• To work closely with the teaching team and other therapists to agree on and implement the use of approaches in the school where appropriate and to support to construct and adapt appropriate resources for various curriculum and play activities during the day.

Who are we looking for?

The staff member will:

• Have a postgraduate qualification approved by the British Association of Play Therapists or Play Therapy UK.
• Be a registered member of the British Association of Play Therapists or Play Therapy UK.
• Have a minimum of 3 years experience working within the profession (including placement-based experience for newly qualified therapists).
• Consider safeguarding an utmost priority and an ability to deal with safeguarding incidents swiftly and confidently

A FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION WILL BE SENT BY EMAIL TO ANY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS PRIOR TO INVITATION TO INTERVIEW.

Please note that this role requires working with children who may display challenging behaviours and/or who may have special educational needs. Confidence in behaviour management is an essential requirement of this role. We require all staff to undergo training in Positive Handling alongside other statutory training requirements.

Safeguarding is the highest priority, and we follow Safer Recruitment procedure. All staff must undergo an enhanced DBS.