Play Therapist (part time 22.2 hours per week, maternity cover 12 months fixed term contract) in Bracknell

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Play Therapist to join our Children’s Social Care service on a fixed-term maternity cover basis, working 22.2 hours per week. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact within our specialist Permanency/Life Chances service, supporting children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, disrupted attachments and complex emotional needs.

At Bracknell Forest, we pride ourselves on being a council which is stable and well-managed where our employees can thrive in a supportive environment. We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer a variety of flexible working practices, including options for remote working and arrangements that allow you to work from home, dependent on the needs of the service.

As a qualified and registered Play Therapist, you will bring substantial experience of working therapeutically with children and young people in complex systems. You will deliver both individual and group play therapy, undertake specialist assessments and contribute to a wider creative therapies offer across the department. In addition to direct therapeutic work, you will play a key role in strengthening practice across the service by offering consultation, reflective spaces and training to social workers, family workers and carers.

We are looking for someone who combines strong clinical expertise with excellent communication and relationship-building skills and who is confident working collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary environment. A reflective, child‑centred and strengths‑based approach aligned with relational practice is essential.

At Bracknell Forest Council, we are proud to be a small, vibrant local authority with a strong reputation as an employer of choice. Our Children’s Social Care services are rated “Outstanding in all areas” by Ofsted, reflecting the exceptional impact of our relational, child‑focused practice and our ongoing commitment to high‑quality support. Our team is passionate about placing children and families at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to delivering evidence‑informed therapeutic interventions that improve outcomes and create lasting change for children and young people. Alongside this, we prioritise staff wellbeing, reflective practice and continuous professional development, ensuring you are supported to thrive in your role.

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver high‑quality play therapy to children and young people, individually and in groups, and with parents/carers where appropriate.
• Carry out specialist therapeutic assessments, interventions and evaluations to improve outcomes for children and families.
• Work collaboratively with social workers, family workers, foster carers and partner agencies.
• Provide consultation, advice and reflective practice support to practitioners across Children’s Social Care.
• Deliver training to staff, foster carers and Special Guardians.
• Contribute to the development, evaluation and sustainability of the creative therapies offer.
• Maintain high standards of recording, reporting and outcome measurement.
• Uphold safeguarding responsibilities and promote the welfare of children and young people at all times.

Our benefits include:

• 28 days annual leave increasing to 33 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
• Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work‑life balance.
• Paid employee volunteering scheme.
• Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme (subject to eligibility).
• Reimbursement of HCPC registration.
• Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits.
• Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing.
• Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.

Interviews will be held week commencing 18th May 2026. Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment. We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.

Please note AI is prohibited during the interview; any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.

For an informal discussion about the role, or to arrange a visit, please contact: Beth Patterson, Assistant Team Manager Permanency.